The proposed fine amounts to $566,600.
The CAL/OSHA states in the press release that 18 of the 19 citations are classified as serious due to the severity of the situation.
The violation could have possibly resulted in death or serious injury to workers.
The CAL/OSHA added in the press release that six of the 18 serious citations are classified as willful for ExxonMobil's inability to take action and intentional non-compliance.
ExxonMobil has failed to eliminate the known hazardous conditions found in the refinery. The company also failed, intentionally, to comply with the safety standards of the state.
Christine Baker, director of the Department of Industrial Relations, said in the press release that companies are responsible for the safety of its workers and the community.
"Petroleum refineries have the responsibility to keep workers safe and to also protect nearby communities and the environment," she said. "This investigation revealed severe lapses in Exxon's safety protocols."
The Contra Costa Times added that the February 18 blast at ExxonMobil's refinery in Torrance has injured slightly injured four contractors and caused heavy damage to equipment.
The blast also caused white ash to rain on nearby cars and houses.
The state's air-quality regulators said that the white ash was not toxic, according to the Contra Costa Times.
The CAL/OSHA added in the press release that the blast was caused by the release of hydrocarbon from the refinery's fluid catalytic cracker (FCC) unit into the electrostatic precipitator (ESP).
The FCC is used to refine gasoline.
ExxonMobil has been prohibited from using the FCC unit on February 18 and it is still in effect until the company can demonstrate that the unit is already safe to use, according to the press release.
The Contra Costa Times added that Todd Spitler, a spokesman from ExxonMobil, said the company will be reviewing the citations.
The CAL/OSHA has given ExxonMobil 15 working days to appeal the citations.
