OSHA Cites Two Companies After Fatal Fire
"Providing workers with a safe and healthful workplace is required of every employer," said OSHA Area Director Christopher Robinson in Pittsburgh, Pa. "This tragedy could have been prevented if the employer had followed safety processes to control the release of gases from highly hazardous chemicals."
OSHA has cited two companies, Energy Transportation LLC and MW Logistics Services LLC, for serious safety violations following a fatal fire at a natural gas processing plant in Houston, Pa. The agency reported that its personal inspected Energy Transportation LLC, the company contracted to clean lines and vessels at the plant, after four of its employees suffered burns and needed hospitalization. One of those employees later died.
OSHA cited the company for violations of the process safety management standard and exposing employees to flammable vapor and liquid while they off-loaded waste material from a vessel into a mobile tank.
OSHA also inspected MW Logistics Services LLC, the host employer that operates the natural gas processing plant, and cited the company for violations of PSM standards and failing to inspect the facility's energy control procedures at least annually. Energy Transportation LLC faces penalties totaling $51,148, while MW Logistics Services LLC faces $47,360 in penalties.
"Providing workers with a safe and healthful workplace is required of every employer," said OSHA Area Director Christopher Robinson in Pittsburgh, Pa. "This tragedy could have been prevented if the employer had followed safety processes to control the release of gases from highly hazardous chemicals."