OSHA Cites Refinery for 31 Violations

An investigation of Hess Corporation’s Port Reading, NJ, oil refinery was undertaken under OSHA’s National Emphasis Program focusing on petroleum refinery process safety management (PSM). Serious violations alleged by OSHA include failure to properly document PSM information; failure to conduct a proper process hazard analysis; failure to evaluate contractor safety and health programs and failure to properly train employees. Other serious citations allege failure to conduct maintenance on critical instruments; update operating procedures; regularly conduct incident investigations; resolve incident investigation findings in a timely manner; properly install metal stairs; maintain ladders in a safe condition; support piping systems and protect against physical damage and excessive stresses. Proposed penalties in this case total $141,500.

[Hess Corp., Port Reading, NJ. Release number 08-525-NEW (OSHA 09-56), May 14, 2009]