OSHA Inspection: MILK SPECIALTIES GLOBAL

Issued

Feb 10, 2012

Abate by

May 10, 2012

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $0 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 combustible whey protein concentrate dust deflagration, explosion, or other fire hazards while working at or near indoor spray drying processing equipment within the Niro spray drying area such as, but not limited to, the spray dryer, the vibrating fluid bed, the bag house, cyclones, bins, and the dust transport system which were not designed to prevent or minimize employee exposure in the event of a deflagration or other uncontrolled fire event:    (a)	The spray dryer lacked means of (1) deflagration isolation protection to the downstream vibrating fluid bed, downstream primary cyclone, upstream direct fuel-fired heating system, and associated ducting.    (b)	The vibrating fluid bed lacked means of (1) explosion protection, (2) adequate fire detection and suppression, (3) ember/spark detection and suppression, and (4) deflagration isolation protection to the downstream vibrating fluid bed hopper, the downstream conveying cyclone, the upstream spray dryer, and associated ducting.    (c)	The vibrating fluid bed hopper lacked means of (1) deflagration isolation protection to the upstream vibrating fluid bed, the downstream pick-up hoppers, and associated ducting.    (d)	The pick-up hoppers lacked means of (1) deflagration isolation protection to the upstream vibrating fluid bed hopper, the downstream sifter, and associated ducting.        (e)	The sifter lacked means of (1) deflagration isolation protection to the upstream pick-up hoppers, the downstream product hopper, and associated ducting.    (f)	The product hopper lacked means of (1) explosion protection and (2) deflagration isolation protection to the upstream sifter, the downstream packaging room, and associated ducting.    (g)	The primary cyclone lacked means of (1) explosion protection, (2) fire detection and suppression, (3) ember/spark detection and suppression, and (4) deflagration isolation protection to the upstream spray dryer, the downstream bag house, the downstream fines return equipment, and associated ducting.    (h)	The bag house lacked means of (1) explosion protection, (2) ember/spark detection and suppression, and (3) deflagration isolation protection to the upstream primary cyclone, the down stream conveying cyclone, the downstream exhaust fan, and associated ducting.    (i)	The conveying cyclone lacked means of (1) explosion protection, (2) fire detection and suppression, (3) ember/spark detection and suppression, and (4) deflagration isolation protection to the upstream vibrating fluid bed, the down stream primary cyclone, the downstream exhaust/transfer fan, the downstream transfer fan, and associated ducting.    (j)	The direct-fired fuel heating system was located indoors and near the spray drying process.     (k)	The exhaust/transfer fan downstream of the conveying cyclone lacked (1) spark-resistant construction and (2) ember/spark detection and suppression.

Issued

Feb 10, 2012

Abate by

Feb 25, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.7(b)(3):  An entry of the number of day away from work was not entered into the restricted workdays column on the OSHA Form 300 or its equivalent.    325 Tompkins St.:   On or about August 15, 2011 the employer did not enter correctly the following work-related injuries or illnesses on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent for the calendar year 2011.    a.)  On 1/30/2011, a Niro Dryer operator was burned after being sprayed by hot liquid (150 degrees F) over his face and torso while disconnecting tubing.  The employee was away from work for 7 days.  The company did not enter any days away from work in Column K of the OSHA 300 log.    Abatement Certification and Documentation is required.

Issued

Feb 10, 2012

Abate by

Feb 25, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.7(b)(4):   An entry of the number of restricted or transferred days was not entered into the restricted workdays   column on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent.    325 Tompkins St.:   On or about August 15, 2011 the employer did not enter correctly the following work-related injuries or illnesses on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent for the calendar year 2011.    a.)  On 1/30/2011, a Niro Dryer operator was burned after being sprayed by hot liquid (150 degrees F) over his face and torso while disconnecting tubing.  The employee returned to work with restrictions for 6 days.  The company did not enter any days restricted in  Column L of the OSHA 300 log.    Abatement Certification and Documentation is required.