Gas station explosion burns worker; two companies cited
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Coomes Oil & Supply Inc., doing business as the 5th Wheel BP gas station in St. Augustine, and Florida Rock & Tank Lines Inc. for safety hazards after an employee of the latter company was burned in an explosion at the station in August.
A Florida Rock & Tank Lines delivery driver was refilling an above-ground gasoline storage tank that had a broken gauge. The tank overflowed, and the combination of vapors and heat from the running delivery truck caused an explosion. OSHA's inspection found that the gas station and Florida Rock & Tank Lines decided to refill the storage tank even though the liquid level gauging system was inoperable.