OSHA Inspection: MISSISSIPPI PHOSPHATES CORPORATION

Issued

2012-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-01-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7000.00 · Current $7000.00

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):     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 a struck -by hazard while starting up a steam turbine that was not protected against over pressurization by an operational pressure relief valve.        (a) On or about May 22, 2012, in the Sulfuric Acid Plant #2, employees attempting a startup of a steam turbine were struck by flying metal debris when the turbine housing ruptured due to an apparent overpressurization from 550 psi steam. The pressure relief valve had not been maintained or serviced since it was installed in 1994 ( approximately 18 years).

Issued

2012-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-01-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7000.00 · Current $7000.00

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):     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 expose to a steam turbine housing rupture while starting a back-up steam turbine that was not maintained in s serviceable condition.     (a) On or about May 21, 2012, in the Sulfuric Acid Plant #2, employees attempting a startup of a steam turbine were exposed to burns from live steam of 550 psi when the turbine housing reptured due to an apparent over-pressuization from 550 psi steam. The steam turbine used as a backup bolier feed water pump drive had not been used for an extended period for more than two years.

Issued

2012-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-11-26 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3600.00 · Current $3600.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(h):     "Railings and handrails." Standard railings shall be provided on the open sides of all exposed stairways and stair platforms. Handrails shall be provided on at least one side of closed stairways preferably on the right side descending. Stair railings and handrails shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of 1910.23.    (a) On or about June 14, 2012 five riser stairway at the converter was not equipped with standard handrailings.

Issued

2012-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-11-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5400.00 · Current $5400.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(a)(2)(iii)(A):      Fire watchers shall be required whenever welding or cutting is performed in locations where other than a minor fire might develop, or any of the following conditions exist:    (a) On or about June 14, 2012 a fire watcher was not available during hot work activities of welding and grinding in Sulfuric Acid plant number 3 where ignitible material such as cardboard, natural gas running through piping for the furnace,  and other debris were present.

Issued

2012-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(a)(2)(iii)(B):     Fire watchers shall have fire extinguishing equipment readily available and be trained in its use. They shall be familiar with facilities for sounding an alarm in the event of a fire. They shall watch for fires in all exposed areas, try to extinguish them only when obviously within the capacity of the equipment available, or otherwise sound the alarm. A fire watch shall be maintained for at least a half hour after completion of welding or cutting operations to detect and extinguish possible smoldering fires.    (a) On or about June 14, 2012, fire watcher was not trained to the location of the fire extinguisher to extinguish a fire where combustible material such as cardboard, and a area where piping of natural gas was located, and other debris that could catch fire. Fire watchers are expected to extinguish a fire.

Issued

2012-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3600.00 · Current $3600.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(g)(5):     Grounding path. The path to ground from circuits, equipment, and enclosures shall be permanent, continuous, and effective.      (a) On or about July 11, 2012 the Ridgid pipe bending machine  located in the Sulfuric Acid maintenance shop that was in use grounding pin was missing.

Issued

2012-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3600.00 · Current $3600.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(j)(2)(v):   A receptacle installed outdoors in a location protected from the weather or in other damp locations shall have an enclosure for the receptacle that is weatherproof when the receptacle is covered (attachment plug cap not inserted and receptacle covers closed).  Note to paragraph (j)(2)(v) of this section. A receptacle is considered to be in a location protected from the weather when it is located under roofed open porches, canopies, marquees, or the like and where it will not be subjected to a beating rain or water runoff.  Mississippi Phosphate Corporation located in Pascagoula, MS was cited for the same violation related to inspection number 311419295, citation was issued on May 12, 2009.    (a) On or about June 14, 22012 electrical receptacles installed outdoors in the Sulfuric Acid plant number 3 did not have enclosures to become weather proof for a wet environment. Mississippi Phosphate Corporation was cited in March 2009 for these same violations in the Sulfuric Acid Plant.    (b) On or about June 14, 2012 a electrical box for lighting was not covered to become weather proof in a wet environment.

Issued

2012-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3600.00 · Current $3600.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5)(i):     Except as provided in paragraphs (f)(6) and (f)(7) of this section, the employer shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with the following information: (i) identity of the hazardous chemical(s) contained therein; and,    (a) On or about June 14, 2012 a two and a half gallon container, where 96 to 98 percent sulfuric acid was stored, was not labeled.

Issued

2012-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5)(ii):     Except as provided in paragraphs (f)(6) and (f)(7) of this section, the employer shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with the following information: (ii) Appropriate hazard warnings, or alternatively, words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals, and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, will provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical.    (a) On or about June 14, 2012 a two and a half gallon container, where 96 to 98 percent sulfuric acid was stored, was not labeled.

Issued

2012-11-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1):     The employer shall provide portable fire extinguishers and shall mount, locate and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.    (a) On or about June 14, 2012 fire extinguisher in the laboratory in the Control RAoom of the Sulfuric Acid plant was not mounted and readily accessible for use.