The Osha’s Hot Work Safety Program, Essay Example

In March of 2009, a hot work accident was caused by the failure of complying with OSHAS 29CFR 1910.252. This failure to comply with the hot work regulations resulted in two of the staff members receiving acute burns which composed 30 – 50% of the dermal surface area of their bodies. These personnel were injured by a workplace accident by acetylene oxygen torch equipment. The acetylene oxygen torches were applied to an abandoned fuel tank in order to remove a component which would have enabled the abandoned tank to be used for the storage of diesel fuel. Notwithstanding that the tank was perceived to have been abandoned and unused for a number of years, the inside of the tank possessed residues of the petroleum products which had been stored in the tank prior to its abandonment. The abandoned tank had not received a review or rinsing prior to the acetylene oxygen welding operations (U. S. Chemical Investigation Safety Board  1).

Subsequent to the application of the acetylene oxygen torches to the abandoned tank, a blast occurred. The blast caused the rupture of the tank. In addition, the employees suffered acute burns which composed 30- 50 percent of the dermal surface areas of their bodies. The A. V. Thomas Produce Company did not perceive the need to apply a hot work process. There had been no permit which was registered. There had been no examinations for the presence of combustible residues or vapors. The company did not perceive a requisite for the preventative safety measures. In addition, the injured workers could not read or speak English and had received training on hot work processes in their native cultures (Safety Info, Inc. 1; U. S. Chemical Investigation Safety Board  1).

The lessons which could be applied from this workplace accident are:

• The requisite for training the personnel who apply hot work thoroughly.
• Procuring the required permits.
• Reviewing the area and the hazards
• Performing a faulty line analysis.
• Taking the required safety precautions (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252).

The A.V. Thomas produce company failed to comply with OSHA 29CFR 1910.252. There had been no fire observation personnel, no fire protection equipment, no protective precautions which would have been associated with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252).  This type of unnecessary workplace accident is why the OSHA workplace regulations must be observed and enforced (Safety Info, Inc. 1; U. S. Chemical Investigation Safety Board  1).

Work Cited

2014 S. Chemical Investigation Safety Board.” Lessons to prevent deaths during hot world in, around tanks.” Reliable Plant, Noria Corp, 2014. Web.6 March 2014<http://www.reliableplant.com/read/23271/lessons-prevent-death-tank>

Safety Info, Inc.”Hot work workplace safety program OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252. “Safety I Info, Inc, 2014. Web. 6 March 2 2014 <http://www.safetyinfo.com/guest/written-safety-programs/hotwork_hotwork_workplaceesafetyprogram.htm