OSHA has cited Calumet Lubricants for 58 alleged workplace safety violations at its Cotton Valley, La., refinery, with proposed fines adding up to $207,500. The facility produces aliphatic solvents.
The 45 alleged serious and 13 other-than-serious violations stem from an inspection begun Sept. 15, 2010, by the Baton Rouge, La., office as part of OSHAs Petroleum Refinery Process Safety Management National Emphasis Program. Calumet Lubricants has 15 working days from receipt of citations to comply, request an informal conference or contest the citations and proposed penalties.
OSHA said serious violations include failing to do the following: conduct adequate inspections and testing of piping and pressure vessels, ensure that employees in process and administrative buildings were provided adequate protection in case of an explosion, implement written operating procedures, resolve recommended actions resulting from compliance audits, provide an adequate confined space program, and provide an adequate lockout/tagout program for control of hazardous energy.
The other-than-serious violations included failing to provide the required machine guarding and to correct electrical hazards.
According to Charles Cost, plant manager for Calumets Cotton Valley facility, the company plans to have a meeting with OSHA officials and to contest a lot of the alleged violations.
According to the companys web site, its specialty aliphatic solvents applications include metalworking fluids, polymer lubricants, surface coating lubricants and textile lubricants.
Calumet Lubricants is a subsidiary of Indianapolis-based Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP.