OSHA cited Martin Resources Inc., Plainview, Texas, with 34 alleged safety violations and proposed penalties totaling $110,488.
Martin Resources produces ammonia sulfate and homogeneous fertilizer at the company''s Plainview plant that employs about 38 workers.
The parent company, Martin Resources Management in Kilgore, Texas, employs about 600 workers.
The alleged safety violations were discovered during an OSHA inspection that began Nov. 30, 200. The company was cited for 32 serious and two other-than-serious violations.
Some of the 32 serious citations include failing to establish an audible employee alarm system, failing to label piping to show contents and flow direction, failing to provide refresher training every three years, lack of verification that employees had received and understood training, failing to implement the written procedure for mechanical integrity of process equipment and failing to correct/replace deficient process equipment like pressure and temperature gauges.
The two other-than-serious violations were for improper respirator storage and inadequate protection of a spliced flexible cord.
Martin Resources has 15 days from receipt of the citations to either comply or contest them.
by Virginia Sutcliffe