OSHA Inspection: FORMOSA PLASTICS CORPORATION, TEXAS

Issued

2023-12-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-12-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $15625.00 · Current $15625.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(d)(3)(ii): The employer did not document that equipment complies with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices:  On May 31, 2023, and at times prior thereto, at Formosa Chemical manufacturing facility located in Point Comfort, Texas, the employer did not document that equipment in the NGL-9193-CO1 complied with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices, such as API 570 Piping Inspection, when the employer did not ensure that piping was suitable for service containing process materials that include but not limited to (process Heavy Ends).  This exposed employees to toxic release hazards of process materials.

Issued

2023-12-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-12-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $15625.00 · Current $15625.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(2): Written procedures. The employer did not establish and implement written procedures to maintain the on-going integrity of process equipment as required:  On or about May 31,2023, and times prior thereto at Formosa Chemical manufacturing facility located in Point Comfort, Texas, workers were exposed to hazards associated with the release of hazardous process materials when the employer did not establish and implement written procedures for inspecting vessel trim piping.

Issued

2023-12-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-12-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $15625.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(4)(i): The employer did not perform inspection and tests on process equipment:  On or about May 31, 2023, and at times prior, at the Formosa Chemical manufacturing facility located in Point Comfort, Texas, the employer did not perform inspection and tests on process piping including but not limited to NGL-9193-CO1 on vessel VV 769-A.   This exposed employees to the toxic chemical release hazards.

Issued

2023-12-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-12-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $15625.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(j)(4)(iii): The frequency of inspections and tests of process equipment shall be consistent with applicable manufacturers' recommendations and good engineering practices, and more frequently if determined to be necessary by prior operating experience. The employer did not follow their recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices in that some lengths of Class 1 trim piping for the VCM Unit, Vessel VV-769A had not been visually inspected every 5 years as recommended by consensus standard of American Petroleum Institute (API) 570 Piping and Inspection.

Issued

2023-12-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-12-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $15625.00 · Current $9375.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.165(b)(1): The employee alarm system did not provide warning for necessary emergency action as called for in the emergency action plan, or for reaction time for safe escape of employees from the workplace or the immediate work area, or both:  On or about May 31, 2023, and times prior to, audible alarms did not sound in the VCM Unit to warn contract employees there was a loss of containment of highly hazardous chemical from vessel VV769-A.  As a result, employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals released into the atmosphere.