OSHA Inspection: FAULTLESS STARCH/BON AMI COMPANY

Issued

Apr 30, 1998

Abate by

May 27, 1998

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 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:
In that, on or about February 18, 1998, FAULTLESS STARCH/BON AMI COMPANY
employees were exposed to the hazards of fire and/or explosion from the
accumulation
of flammable propane/butane gases in the second floor gas room on the west
end of the
building. Gases which accumulated in the ventilation system and/or gasroom
were not
properly detected by the flammable gas monitoring unit: (1) gas monitoring
unit was not
calibrated at the 30 day intervals as required in the Gaschek 1 Reference
Manual (2)
daily "bump" tests were not conducted with the calibration gas or by the
procedures
specified in the Gaschek 1 Reference Manual (3) oils and lubricants which,
according to
the Gaschek 1 Reference Manual, can "poison" the sensors and cause them to
malfunction were used and stored in the gas room where the sensors were
located (4)
employees required to check the function of the Gaschek 1 monitor had not
read the
Reference Manual or been adequately trained on the use and care of the
monitoring
system.
Feasible and acceptable abatement methods, among others, include: (a) Have
hands-on
training for all employees who are responsible or may be responsible for
the gases
monitoring system by the Gaschek 1 manufacturer representative. (b)
Training for
involved/affected employees would include how and when to calibrate and
"bump" test
the system properly. (c) Require and document refresher training annually.
(d) Remove
oils and lubricants from gas room. (e) Write policy and procedure for gas
room
equipment including checklist and tracking methods  for documenting the
gas monitoring,
checks, maintenance, filter replacement and other activity related to the
detection
systems.
Abatement Note:Abatement certification is required for this violation
(using
the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition,
documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included
with your
certification. This documentation  may included, but is not limited to,
evidence of the
purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of
abatement, or
other records.

Issued

Apr 30, 1998

Abate by

Jul 9, 1998

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

Issued

Apr 30, 1998

Abate by

Jul 9, 1998

Issued

Apr 30, 1998

Abate by

Jul 9, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,925 · Current $963 Reduced

Issued

Apr 30, 1998

Abate by

Jul 9, 1998

Issued

Apr 30, 1998

Abate by

Jul 9, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $525 Reduced

Issued

Apr 30, 1998

Abate by

Jun 17, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $875 Reduced

Issued

Apr 30, 1998

Abate by

Jul 9, 1998

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

Issued

Apr 30, 1998

Abate by

May 27, 1998

Issued

Apr 30, 1998

Abate by

Jul 9, 1998