OSHA Inspection: THE ALL AMERICAN GOURMET COMPANY

Issued

Sep 24, 1985

Abate by

Sep 30, 1985

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $500 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:
a) Production employees (inlet of freeze tunnel No. 1) were exposed to
oxygen deficient atmospheres (O.D.A.), as low as 18% oxygen, which is
92% of the minimum level of 19.5% oxygen, allowed for any period of
time. The exposures occured while employees worked at a conveyor belt
at the tunnel inlet, handling food to be frozen with liquid nitrogen.
Oxygen measurements were made on 7/31/85 using an oxygen meter to
determine peak and minimum oxygen levels. Exposure to oxygen
deficient atmospheres may result in decreased oxygen content of the
blood and subsequently, the brain and other organs.
b) Maintenance mechanic (inlet, freeze tunnel No. 1; outlet, freeze
tunnel No.2), was momentarily exposed to oxygen deficient atmospheres
(O.D.A.), as low as 6% and 18% oxygen. These exposures occurred when
the employee crouches, or kneeled to repair or inspect equipment or
crawled under a conveyor, and are betwwen 31% and 92% of the
minimum level of 19.5% oxygen allowed for any period of time.
Oxygen measurements were made on 7/31/85, approximately 2 feet above
the floor, breathing levels of the employee mentioned while he was
performing these functions.

Issued

Sep 24, 1985

Abate by

Nov 30, 1985

Hazardous substances X100

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:
a) Employees (maintenance and production workers at liquid nitrogen
freeze tunnels) were potentially exposed to oxygen deficient
atmospheres (O.D.A.) and liquid nitrogen which could be immediately
dangerous to life and health (I.D.L.H.), but emergency procedures
were inadequate, for the following reasons:
1) There were not written emergency response procedures available, for
O.D.A.
2) There were no self contained breathing apparatus available for rescue
use.
3) Emergency action plans for O.D.A. did not include as a minimum, the
following elements:
a) Emergency escape procedures and escape route assignments.
b) Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate
critical plant operations before they evacuate.
c) Procedures to account for all employees after emergency
evacuation has been completed.
d) Rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to perfect
them.
e) The preferred means of reporting O.D.A. emergencies.
f) Names of regular job titles of persons or departments (including
phone numbers), who can be contacted in an emergency or for
further information, or explanation of duties, under the O.D.A.
emergency action plan.
g) An audible or visual alarm system to warn of O.D.A.
4) Employees and supervisors were not trained in O.D.A. emergency
response procedures.
5) O.D.A. procedures did not include details of monitoring the air for
oxygen content, such as the 19.5% oxygen evacuation level.
6) There were not written provisions for medical surveillance of
personnel exposed to O.D.A.
7) Preparation for work where O.D.A. were present, did not include
provisions to assure that ventilation was adequate (air flow
measurements, etc).
8) There was no provision for a standby worker equipped with self
contained breathing apparatus (S.C.B.A.) to remain as an observer
outside of the O.D.A. area, during an emergency.
9) Preparation for entry into potential O.D.A. did not include a
checklist to assure that liquid nitrogen tunnel safety devices, were
properly functioning.
10) Personal protective equipment was inadeqeuate to protect personnel
from exposure to skin and eye contact with liquid nitrogen, during
emergencies or routine use. (i.e. impervious, insulated, boots and
whole body suits; including goggles and face shields.)
11) There were no written first aid procedures available to treat
employees exposed to O.D.A. or liquid nitorgen skin contact.

Issued

Sep 24, 1985

Abate by

Oct 28, 1985

Penalty

Initial $450 · Current $225 Reduced

Issued

Sep 24, 1985

Abate by

Oct 28, 1985

Issued

Sep 24, 1985

Abate by

Oct 28, 1985

Penalty

Initial $450 · Current $225 Reduced

Issued

Sep 24, 1985

Abate by

Sep 30, 1985

Issued

Sep 24, 1985

Abate by

Sep 30, 1985

Issued

Sep 24, 1985

Abate by

Oct 28, 1985

Issued

Sep 24, 1985

Abate by

Sep 30, 1985

Issued

Sep 24, 1985

Abate by

Sep 30, 1985

Issued

Sep 24, 1985

Abate by

Sep 30, 1985

Issued

Sep 24, 1985

Abate by

Sep 30, 1985