Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard:

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to a fire hazard: (a) Complete Energy Services Inc, dba Northern Plains Trucking, at Highway 392 and Weld County Road 71, N 0.9, W 0.2, Briggsdale, CO: On 11/16/17, the employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to a fire hazard. Employees of DCP Midstream LP and Complete Energy Services Inc were involved in the removal of a hydrate blockage within a DCP Midstream LP pipeline. The DCP Midstream LP pipeline transported approximately 350 psi natural gas and other products of crude oil and gas extraction. The removal of the hydrate blockage involved depressurizing the upstream portion of the pipeline, by venting gases, vapors, and liquids to a vacuum truck via a high pressure hose connected to a fitting with valve at the pig launcher. Flammable liquids remained in the vacuum truck's tank, while flammable gases and vapors were exhausted from a hatch on the top of the vacuum truck tank. The flammable gases and vapors ignited, resulting in a flash fire. Complete Energy Services Inc did not ensure that all potential ignition sources were eliminated or controlled. This condition exposed two employees of Complete Energy Services Inc to a fire hazard.