OSHA Inspection: PRECISION MECHANICAL, INC.

Issued

2002-01-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2002-01-11 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6300.00 · Current $3150.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:
The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which
were free from
recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious
physical harm to
employees in that employees were exposed to the hazard of the sudden and
unexpected,
explosive release of nitrogen gas:
A) Liquid Oxygen Pad, Space Launch Complex 37B, prior to the disassembly
of temporary
piping that had been used in the cleaning of the LOX system, the section
of temporary piping
to be disassembled was not vented (depressurized) to atmospheric pressure,
on or about July 8,
2001.
One feasible means of abatement, among others, would be to follow the
safety procedures
enunciated in The USAF Eastern and Western Range Safety Manual, 127-1,
Section
6.11.5.1.4(a) and (b)
1. Depressurize the portion of the system to be worked upon prior to the
initiation
of
disassembly;
2. Assure controlling valves are isolated from the source of gas pressure;
3. Apply lockout devices and warning tags to controlling valves to prevent
unintended or
unauthorized activation;
4. Establish and maintain a control area to assure that only personnel
directly involved in the
disassembly are in the area of the activity.
ABATEMENT VERIFICATION REQUIRED:

Issued

2002-01-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2002-01-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $63000.00 · Current $36850.00 Reduced