OSHA Inspection: SOUTHERN FOODS GROUP, LLC

Issued

Oct 28, 2011

Abate by

Nov 14, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,250 · Current $2,550 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):  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 ammonia inhalation and burn hazards:    a)  Southern Foods Group, LLC dba Meadow Gold Dairies at 450 25th Street, Greeley, CO 80631:  On or before 5/12/11, the employer did not ensure employees were protected from ammonia inhalation and burn hazards in the following instances:    1)  The employer did not test the ammonia sensors in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications;     2)  The employer did not ensure that the emergency ventilation system in the mechanical room was adequate for the ammonia system;    Conditions exposed employees to ammonia inhalation and burn hazards.    Abatement note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed, "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Oct 28, 2011

Abate by

Jan 5, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,250 · Current $2,550 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(1):  The employer did not develop and implement an emergency response plan to handle anticipated emergencies prior to commencement of emergency response operations:     (a)  Southern Foods Group, LLC dba Meadow Gold Dairies at 450 25th Street, Greeley, CO 80631:  On or before 5/12/11, the employer did not establish an emergency response plan to handle anticipated emergencies associated with anhydrous ammonia leaks.  Condition exposed employees to asphyxiation and burn hazards.    Abatement note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed, "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").    Abatement note:  1910.120(q)(2) lists the elements of an emergency response plan.  In addition, incorporate 1910.120(q)(2)(i) through 1910.120(q)(2)(xii).

Issued

Oct 28, 2011

Abate by

Nov 21, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $1,530

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(ii):  The employer did not certify that periodic inspections of the energy control procedures had been performed:    a)  Southern Foods Group, LLC dba Meadow Gold Dairies at 450 25th Street, Greeley, CO 80631:  On or before 5/12/11, the employer did not certify that the periodic inspections of the energy control procedures had been performed.  Condition exposed employees to amputation, burn, and asphyxiation hazards.    Abatement note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (See enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").

Issued

Oct 28, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,250 · Current $2,550 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3):  Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven -7 feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:      a)  Southern Foods Group, LLC dba Meadow Gold Dairies at 450 25th Street, Greeley, CO 80631:  On or before 5/12/11, the employer did not guard the sprocket and chain used in the power transmission of the gallon carrier in two instances:    1)  A sprocket and chain were not guarded for the carrier in cooler #1;  and    2)  A sprocket and chain were not guarded near the gallon filler machine.    Conditions exposed employees to amputation hazards.    Abatement note:  Abatement certification is not required for this item.

Issued

Oct 28, 2011

Abate by

Nov 14, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,250 · Current $2,550 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i):  Employees working in areas where there were potential electrical hazards were not using electrical protective equipment that was appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed:     a)  Southern Foods Group, LLC dba Meadow Gold Dairies at 450 25th Street, Greeley, CO 80631:  On or before 5/12/11, the employer did not ensure that maintenance employees wore appropriate electrical protective equipment when performing voltage testing on energized 120 volt electrical circuits.  The employees performed voltage testing without wearing a) rubber insulating gloves, b) arc-rated long sleeve shirts, c) arc rated pants, d) arc-rated coverall, and e) a face shield with a minimum arc rating of 4.  Conditions exposed employees to electrical shock and arc flash hazards.    Abatement note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed, "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").    Abatement note:  NFPA 70E, 2009 Edition, Table 130.7(C)(9) and Table 130.7(C)(10) categorize activities into risk groups, and describe protective clothing and personal protective equipment associated for each group.  This criteria provides that if voltage testing were being performed on energized 120 volt equipment, the personal protective equipment should satisfy an arc-rating of 4 based on the Hazard/Risk Category of 1, and furthermore, discusses the need for rubber insulating gloves.