OSHA Inspection: UNITED STATES COLD STORAGE, INC.

Issued

Jul 20, 2007

Abate by

Apr 14, 2008

Penalty

Initial $2,125 · Current $2,125

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.
Engine Room - On or about April 27, 2007, employee(s) were not adequately
protected against
the potential release of anhydrous ammonia in that:
a. Two of the machinery room doors opened inwards instead of outwards
which could impede
an evacuation of the room.
b. Visual and audible alarms were not located on the outside of each
entrance so that employees
are fully aware of the conditions inside the room prior to entry.
c. Pipes piercing the interior walls were not tightly sealed such that any
release of anhydrous
ammonia could potentially migrate to other areas of the workplace where
employees
are present.
d. Not all controls and piping in anhydrous ammonia service were
identified or labeled, to
prevent employees from using the wrong control.
e. Each entrance to a refrigerating machinery room was not appropriately
marked to prevent
unauthorized employees from entering the room.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods to control this
hazard are: Adherence
to the safe design, installation and operation of anhydrous ammonia
refrigeration systems as
prescribedd by ANSI/ASHRAE 15-2004, "Safety Standard for Refrigeration
Systems",
specifically:
a. Provide refrigerating machinery room doors that open outward. (Section
8.11.2)
b. Provide visible and audible alarms outside each entrance to the
refrigerating machinery room.
(Section 8.11.2.1)
c. Tightly seal all wall penetrations from the refrigerating machinery
room. (Section 8.12)
d. Identify all controls and piping in anhydrous ammonia service. (Section
11.2.2)
e. Provide each entrance to the refrigerating machinery room with signs to
read "Machinery
Room-Authorized Personnel Only." (Section 11.2.4)