OSHA Fines Texas Company $152K After Fatal Chemical Release

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Enbridge G&P (East Texas) LP with two alleged willful and five alleged serious violations following a chemical release at the company’s Bryans Mill plant in Douglasville, Texas, which resulted in a worker’s death.

OSHA began its investigation on Jan. 10 following the fatality that occurred when four workers were replacing a faulty valve on the waste heat boiler in the sulfur plant. One employee died and another was left in critical condition when hydrogen sulfide was released from the boiler.

The willful violations were issued for failing to develop and implement safe work practices for workers who process equipment or piping or who are exposed to airborne concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in excess of 50 parts per million, and for failing to provide workers with the required personal protective equipment. In this case, the company did not provide respirators.

Alleged serious violations include failing to review current operating procedures; to inform contract workers of the known potential fire, explosion or toxic release hazards related to the contractor’s work; and to use flame resistant clothing when breaking lines, valves and/or opening equipment.

For these violations, OSHA has assessed penalties totaling $152,100.

Enbridge G&P has 15 business days from receipt of citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director in Dallas, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA