Valero Energy Corp. in Delaware City has been fined $107,500 by OSHA for workplace safety and health violations.
Valero has been issued four repeat violations, with a penalty of $75,000, and nine serious violations, with a penalty of $32,500.
The repeat violations include the company's failure to conduct and document inspections and tests on process equipment, conduct the proper process hazard analysis (PHA) and maintain adequate safety information, OSHA reported. OSHA issues a repeat violation when it finds a substantially similar violation of any standard, regulation, rule or order issued to the same employer within the last three years.
The serious violations include the company's failure to address PHA findings and recommendations, include contract employees and the factors that contributed to an incident in incident investigations, use the proper procedure, and update safety information when making a process change, OSHA reported. OSHA issues a serious citation when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard.
OSHA investigated Valero as part of its National Emphasis Program on petroleum refinery management.
The Delaware City refinery, which employs 650 workers, has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA or contest the citations.
