Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 024 Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(5):Equipment deficiencies. The employer did not correct deficiencies in equipment that were outside acceptable limits (defined by the process safety information in paragraph (d) of this section) before further use or in a safe and timely manner when necessary means are taken to assure safe operation. a. On or about and prior to April 8, 2021, deficiencies in the Catch Tank (also known as CT-8 on the piping and instrument diagram, RP-CATCHTNK) were not corrected, in that the rupture disk had burst and was not replaced for a period of at least four (4) years. Employees working in or near the covered process are exposed to fire, explosion and contact hazards related to atmospheric venting from pressure relief systems. b. On or about and prior to April 8, 2021, identified deficiencies in the kettle 3 reactor vessel manway and manway cover were not corrected and the vessel was put back in service. The manway cover flexed and distorted during tightening that was documented by a January 4, 2021 work order. On April 8, 2021, the kettle 3 reactor vessel manway cover to manway flange gasket failed and released vapor into the kettle 3/kettle 4 room. This catastrophic failure resulted in the explosion event that resulted in a fatality and multiple disabling injuries.