OSHA Inspection: TOM WENTE D/B/A T & L LOCKER SERVICE

Issued

Mar 30, 2012

Abate by

Aug 30, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,300 · Current $1,500 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 that 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 toxic anhydrous ammonia inhalation hazards in
the event of an
uncontrolled release originating from the ammonia machinery room:
Machinery room - On or about November 8, 2011, employees were not
adequately protected
against the potential release of anhydrous ammonia in that:
a)The machinery room was not isolated from other work areas to prevent the
migration
of anhydrous ammonia
b)There was not sufficient means to warn employees working throughout the
facility in
the event of an ammonia release
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 15-2007, "Safety Standard for Refrigeration
Systems",
specifically:
a.Separate the space containing the refrigeration machinery from other
occupancies by
tight construction with tight fitting, self-closing fire doors.  (Section
8.11.2)
b.Install an ammonia detector set to alarm at a value not greater than the
American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH), Threshhold Limit
Value
(TLV), time-weighted average (TWA) (currently 35 ppm) and that actuates a
visual
and audible alarm that warns both inside and outside each entrance to the
machinery
room.  (Section 8.11.2.1)
c.Provide legible permanent signs, securely attached and easily
accessible,
reading
"Machinery Room - Authorized Personnel Only", communicating that entry is
forbidden except by personnel trained in emergency procedures invoked by
activation
of the ammonia alarm.  (Section 8.11.8)
d.Tightly seal pipes piercing the interior walls of the machinery room to
the walls,
ceiling or floor through which they pass.  (Section 8.12)
e.Install equipment to provide inlet air to replace that being exhausted.
(Section 8.11.4)
f.Ensure there is no airflow to or from an occupied space through a
machinery room
unless the air is ducted and sealed in such a manner as to prevent any
refrigerant
leakage from entering the airstream. (Section 8.11.7)
***Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with
the requirements of
29 CFR 1903.19(c)***

Issued

Mar 30, 2012

Abate by

Aug 30, 2012

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $2,500 Reduced