OSHA Inspection: MACK BROS. LTD. DBA JET CHEF

Issued

Sep 26, 1991

Abate by

Oct 31, 1991

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:       The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment
which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely
to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees
were exposed to:
(a)  The hazard of exposure to atmosphere which contains less
than 19.5% oxygen (oxygen deficiency) in the Assembly Room
and Packaging area during the operation of freezing food
with liquid nitrogen using the CO 2 cryogenic freezing tunnel
with levels on 4/5/91 being as low as 13.8% O 2 with 27%
of the readings below 19.5% O 2, and levels on 4/9/91 being
as low as 15.2% O2 with  57% of the readings below 19.5%
O 2.
Effects of exposure to an oxygen deficient atmosphere
include: accelerated heartbeat, impaired attention and
coordination, faulty judgement,muscular exertion causes
fatigue that may result in permanent heart damage, nausea
vomiting,unconsciousness, and death.
Some acceptable abatement methods, among others to correct
the hazard are:
1)  Removal of the nitrogen freezer and relaced with other
freezing systems.
2)  Continuous monitoring of the oxygen levels on the
freezer lines and when monitoring has shown that
oxygen levels have dropped below 19.5% oxygen the room
should be evacuated until the refrigeration unit can
be fixed and oxygen levels return to above 19.5%.
3)  Frequent maintenance checks on freezer to assure there
are no leaks or loose ductwork and,
4)  Increase ventilation in room to compensate for oxygen
deficiency.
Reference - ANSI Z88.2 - 1980

Issued

Sep 26, 1991

Abate by

Sep 29, 1991

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Sep 26, 1991

Abate by

Dec 1, 1991

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Sep 26, 1991

Abate by

Oct 10, 1991

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Sep 26, 1991

Abate by

Oct 1, 1991

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,250 Reduced

Issued

Sep 26, 1991

Abate by

Jan 2, 1992

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,250 Reduced

Issued

Sep 26, 1991

Abate by

Oct 31, 1991

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Sep 26, 1991

Abate by

Oct 31, 1991

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,250 Reduced

Issued

Sep 26, 1991

Abate by

Sep 29, 1991

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Sep 26, 1991

Abate by

Jan 2, 1992

Penalty

Initial $24,500 · Current $12,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which
were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause
death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were
exposed to:
(a)  The hazard of exposure to high temperature levels in the
Omelette Room during the preparation of omelettes and
pancakes with exposure from 4/9/91 through 6/27/91.
Nine employee work stations were monitored for heat levels
with the average temperatures being 32.12 C, 33.36 C,
33.76 C, 35.29 C, 34.07 C, 34.37 C, 37.20 C, 34.09 C and
37.05 C.  The ACGIH permissible Heat Exposure Threshold
Limit Value for light continuous work is 30 C. All nine
work stations were over this level.
Effect exposure to high temperatures include: confusion,
irrational behavior, loss of consciousness, convulsions,
headache, nausea, vertigo and fainting.
Some feasible and acceptable abatement methods, among others
to correct the hazards are;
1) Increased ventilation in the room to lower the
temperatures.
2) Lower temperatures by reducing to one production line
with additional ventilation;
3) Administratively rotate employees out of area to cooler
area of the plant, and provide liquids.
4) Shielding of radiant heat sources with additional
ventilation also being provided.
5) Provide hourly breaks for employees along with the
acclimation process and training on the signs and
symptoms of heat stress.

Issued

Sep 26, 1991

Abate by

Oct 1, 1991

Penalty

Initial $17,500 · Current $8,250 Reduced