OSHA Inspection: RAKHRA MUSHROOM FARM

Issued

Jul 2, 2001

Abate by

Jul 20, 2001

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,700 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 high levels of carbon monoxide which may cause headache,
nausea, dizziness,
weakness, rapid breathing, unconsciousness and death:
a)On 2/2/01, an employee performing maintenance work was exposed to carbon
monoxide
levels of 342.7 ppm for 420 minutes.  The 8-hr time-weighted-average (TWA)
exposure for this
employee was 299.8 ppm.  which is in excess of the NIOSH Recommended
Exposure Limit
(REL) of 35 ppm, and the ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV) of 25 ppm.
b)On 2/2/01, an employee driving a forklift was exposed to carbon monoxide
levels of
725.6 ppm for 210 minutes.  The 8-hr TWA exposure for this employee was
317.5 ppm, which
is in excess of the NIOSH REL of 35 ppm and the ACGIH TLV of 25 ppm.
c)On 2/2/01, an employee performing maintenance work was exposed to carbon
monoxide
levels of 284 ppm for 390 minutes.  The 8-hr TWA exposure for this
employee was 230.7 ppm,
which is in excess of the NIOSH REL of 35 ppm and the ACGIH TLV of 25 ppm.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazardous
condition would be to increase the level of ventilation in areas where
forklifts are used and to
install carbon monoxide alarms in these areas.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation is required for
this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").

Issued

Jul 2, 2001

Abate by

Jul 27, 2001

Penalty

Initial $3,150 · Current $1,890 Reduced