Pennsylvania Employer Failed to Require Flame-Resistant Clothing for Natural Gas Work

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited J.R. Resources, a natural gas producer and operator, with eight safety and health violations at its Ringgold gas well site. OSHA began its inspection in August of 2012 after a worker died from sustaining injuries during a flash fire because he was not required or provided with flame-resistant clothing.The seven serious violations cited at this work site included failing to require and provide flame-resistant clothing to be work when working near natural gas, failing to provide fall protection from stairs on brine tanks, failing to provide a written hazard communication program and training, and failing to properly label tanks, and prevent workers from riding in the bucket of a backhoe.

J.R. Resources was also cited for using an electric pump in the presence of flammable materials. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer new, or should have known, of the hazard.