OSHA Inspection: RIO GRANDE VALLEY SUGAR GROWERS, INC.

Issued

Jul 1, 2010

Abate by

Sep 21, 2010

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · Current $1,300 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 chemical burns, eye irritation, temporary or permanent
vision impairment, or
blindness:
On or about January 6, 2010, and times prior thereto, in the chemical
treatment
area, the employer did not ensure the emergency eye wash station was
located
and maintained in accordance with American National Standards Institute
(ANSI)
Z358.1, " Emergency Wash and Shower Equipment." The emergency eyewash
station had the following conditions:
a.The emergency eyewash station's nozzles were not protected by their
covers. The nozzles and piping were not clean and maintained free of
contaminants. Caked, hydrated lime was observed on the exposed nozzles,
and the nozzle covers which were attached to the eyewash station by small
chains.
b.Travel to the emergency eyewash station was not possible without
encountering obstructions. To get to the eyewash station, an employee,
experiencing a need to access the eyewash station, had to travel through
two different floor levels of approximately 6 inches each.
c.The emergency eyewash station was not activated weekly to ensure
operability and that washing fluid was available.
d.The emergency eyewash station was not inspected annually to ensure
operability and compliance with ANSI Z.358.1, 2004 edition, section 5
requirements.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this
hazard
is to protect outlets (nozzles) from airborne contaminants caking onto the
emergency eyewash equipment, locate the emergency eyewash station to meet
the
distance, time, and free of obstruction requirements of ANSI Z358.1, 2004
edition, conduct weekly activation of the equipment, and conduct annual
inspections of the eyewash station.
In the alternative:
29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where the eyes or body of any person were exposed to
injurious corrosive
materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes
and body were not
provided within the work area for immediate use.

Issued

Jul 1, 2010

Abate by

Sep 21, 2010

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · Current $2,250

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 caustic soda leaks from a deteriorating storage tank:
On or about January 4, 2010, and times prior thereto, employees working in
the
chemical area were exposed to a storage tank containing caustic soda which
showed evidence of damage and leakage at a seam of the storage tank. This
condition exposed employees to a highly corrosive liquid while working in
this
area.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this
hazard
is to repair or replace the storage tank containing caustic soda.

Issued

Jul 1, 2010

Abate by

Jul 7, 2010

Penalty

Initial $1,350 · Current $1,350

Issued

Jul 1, 2010

Abate by

Jan 4, 2010

Penalty

Initial $1,147

Issued

Jul 1, 2010

Abate by

Oct 15, 2010

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,700 Reduced

Issued

Jul 1, 2010

Abate by

Jul 13, 2010

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · Current $1,300 Reduced