OSHA Rules on Personnel Protection for Surfaces Greater then 140 deg 1

[milwaukeebob]

Hello:
I'm not sure if this is the correct forum for this question but I'm assuming those most familiar with ASME codes may be able to provide some guidance. I'm actually an electrical engineer at a combustion turbine (CT) power plant in the southwest part of the country. Recently, some individuals at our site have expressed concerns that the CT exhaust gas diffusers skin temperature is greater then 140 degrees F (actually certain sections have temperatures exceeding 350 degrees F). Technically, someone could walk up to the diffuser, touch it and get burned. As most of you who have been in power plants are aware, there are a significant number of areas that will present this hazard.

My question is how does the 140 degree rule apply to areas such as a CT exhaust diffuser? We have a number of other accessible areas in the plant with surfaces greater then 140 deg (i.e., boilers, compressors, some motors, etc). The codes have to deal or address with areas such as this but I'm not aware of the exceptions and haven't been able to find any clarification online.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

[EGT01]

Have you tried searching the OSHA web site? I happened to find this "interpretation letter" that may have the information you need. You might want to search the OSHA site a little more to see if there is anything later but the following link seems to have some good references otherwise.

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=22617

Power plants aren't my area of expertise but as I read the OSHA letter,
"OSHA does consider exposed heated surfaces, if there is a potential for injury, to be a hazard and will issue citations if employees can come into contact with such surfaces."

Also, have you tried searching the Forums for your topic? There was a recent thread that may have some additional info of interest...
thread378-130858

 

[milwaukeebob]

Thanks EGT01. I did search the OSHA website...or at least I tried. Your search skills are definitely better then mine. I truly appreciate the help and the point in the right direction.

Take care and be safe.