Explosion Hazards Lead to ExxonMobil's $126,600 Fine
The serious violations involve failing to investigate incidents as being related to process safety management and address inconsistent thickness measurements collected during pressure vessel inspections.
OSHA has cited ExxonMobil Refining and Supply Co. in Baton Rouge, La., for 20 serious and two other-than-serious violations for exposing workers to possible fires and explosions, among other hazards. Proposed penalties total $126,600 following a March 14 inspection by OSHA's Baton Rouge Area Office at the company's petroleum refinery.
"This company exposed its workers to serious safety and health hazards by failing to comply with OSHA's process safety management regulations," said Dorinda Folse, OSHA's area director in Baton Rouge. "It is fortunate that in this case that no one was injured."
The serious violations involve failing to investigate incidents as being related to process safety management, equipment repair, address inconsistent thickness measurements collected during pressure vessel inspections, maintain accurate and updated engineering drawings, and ensure that written operating procedures were certified as being current and accurate.
The other-than-serious violations involve failing to ensure that a plate protecting electrical components remained affixed to its housing and deficiencies identified in the emergency action plan.
ExxonMobil Refining and Supply Co. is a division of Exxon Mobil Corp. The Baton Rouge refinery employs about 2,100 workers and specializes in the production of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, aviation fuel, lubricating oils, and waxes.