Multiple Safety Violations Bring $357,750 in Proposed Fines

Two oil refineries in Mississippi and Alabama have been cited for three willful and 58 serious safety violations. Hunt Refining Co.’s Sandersville, MS plant has been cited for two willful and 35 serious safety violations, including alleged willful failure to recognize and evaluate fire and explosion hazards from electrical equipment in the process area and willful failure to address hazards to employees situated in a control room in close proximity to process equipment. Serious safety issues being alleged at that facility include numerous violations of process safety management (PSM) standards, a lack of safety training for employees and employee exposure to electrical and fall hazards. Hunt’s Tuscaloosa, AL, facility has been cited for willful failure to inspect and test process vessels, which could lead to equipment being unable to contain hazardous chemicals. Twenty-three serious violations at the Tuscaloosa plant include alleged excessive dust accumulation, employee exposure to electrical hazards and 16 violations of PSM standards.

[Hunt Refining Co’s Sandersville, MS and Tuscaloosa, AL oil refineries. Release number 08-1443-ATL, Oct. 14, 2008].