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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued a January 17th news release stating that Philadelphia Energy Solutions (“PES”) has been cited for violations of safety and health hazards related to process safety management (“PSM”).
The citations are stated to have been issued subsequent to a fire and explosions at PES’s Girard Point Refinery Complex in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
PSM rules are described as encompassing:
. . . requirements and procedures employers must follow to address hazards associated with processes and equipment that use large amounts of hazardous chemicals.
OSHA states in regards to the cited refinery that the relevant chemicals included hydrofluoric acid and flammable hydrocarbons.
The OSHA inspection is stated to have identified deficiencies in the refinery’s PSM program which are alleged to have included:
- failing to establish or implement written procedures,
- insufficient hazard analysis, and
- inadequate inspection of process equipment for highly hazardous chemicals used in the process.
OSHA states that the company faces $132,600 in potential penalties.
PES has 15 days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
A copy of the news release can be downloaded here.
