OSHA Inspection: MOMENCE PACKING COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Sep 5, 2007

Abate by

Mar 6, 2008

Penalty

Initial $1,375 · Current $963 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 inhalation hazards associated with anhydrous
ammonia.
Machinery room - On or about March 07, 2007, employees were not adequately
protected
against the potential release of anhydrous ammonia in that:
a. Visual and audible alarms were not located on the outside of each
entrance so that
employees are fully aware of the conditions inside the machinery room
prior to entry.
b. The space containing the refrigeration machinery was not separated from
other
occupancies (such as the maintenance shop and water treatment room) by
tight construction
with tight-fitting doors.
c. The overhead fire door in the machinery room was not suitable to ensure
freedom for
employees to escape in an emergency.
d. Not all controls and piping in anhydrous ammonia service were
identified, or labeled, to
prevent employees from using the wrong control and/or opening the wrong
piping.
e. A schematic drawing or panel giving directions for the operation of the
refrigeration
system was not provided in a location that was convenient to the operators
of the equipment
to assure they are able to refer to it to minimize the possibility of a
mistake.
f. Emergency procedures were not posted outside the machinery room,
immediately adjacent
to each door, to provide directions to operators in case of a breakdown or
leak, and including
instructions for shutting down the system in case of emergency.
g. Pipes piercing the interior walls were not tightly sealed such that any
release of anhydrous
ammonia would not migrate to other areas of the workplace where employees
are present.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods to control these
hazards are to adhere
to the safe design, installation and operation of anhydrous ammonia
refrigeration systems as
prescribed by ANSI/ASHRAE 15-2004, "Safety Standard for Refrigeration
Systems",
specifically:
a. Provide visual and audible alarms outside each entrance to the
machinery room. (Section
8.11)
b. Separate the space containing the machinery from other occupancies by
tight construction
with tight-fitting doors.(Section 7)
c. Provide an adequate number of doors that are tight fitting and open
outward and adequate
in number to ensure freedom for persons to escape in an emergency.(Section
8.11)
d. Identify/label all controls and piping in anhydrous ammonia service.
(Section 11.2)
e. Provide a schematic drawing or panel giving directions for the
operation of the
refrigeration system in a location convenient for the operators. (Section
11.7)
f. Post emergency procedures outside the machinery room immediately
adjacent to each
door. (Section 11.7)
g. Seal pipes piercing the walls of the machinery room. (Section 8.12)ion

Issued

Sep 5, 2007

Abate by

Oct 23, 2007