OSHA Inspection: SOUTHEASTERN CHEESE CORPORATION

Issued

Apr 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2): If the workplace contains permit spaces, the employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces.    a) Milk silos; On or about December 20, 2012 and at times prior the employer exposed his employees to the hazards of entering confined spaces that could contain oxygen deficient atmospheres from welding, accumulation of old milk, and use of chemicals, such as chlorine, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and sodium hydroxide, in that permit required confined space signs were not posted on either of the two milk silos.   b) 45,000 pound vats; On or about December 20, 2012 and at times prior the employer exposed his employees to the hazards of entering a confined space that could contain oxygen deficient atmospheres from welding, and use of chemicals, such as chlorine, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and sodium hydroxide, in that permit required confined space signs were not posted on either of the two 45,000 pound vats.

Issued

Apr 30, 2013

Abate by

Jun 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4): The employer decided that its employees would enter permit spaces, but the employer did not develop or implement a written permit space program that complied with section 1910.146(c). The written program was not available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives.  a) Milk silos; On or about December 20, 2012 and at times prior the employer exposed his employees to the hazards of entering permit required confined spaces that could contain oxygen deficient atmospheres from welding, accumulation of old milk, and use of chemicals, such as chlorine, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and sodium hydroxide, in that employees were allowed to enter of the two milk silos without any elements of a confined space program in place to ensure their safety.  b) 45,000 pound vats; On or about December 20, 2012 and at times prior the employer exposed his employees to the hazards of entering permit required confined spaces that could contain oxygen deficient atmospheres from welding and use of chemicals, such as chlorine, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and sodium hydroxide, in that employees entered either of the two 45,000 vats without any elements of a confined space program in place to ensure their safety.  c) 40,000 pound vats; On or about Decemeber 20, 2012 and at times prior the employer exposed his employees to the hazards of  entering permit required confined spaces that could contain oxygen deficient atmospheres from welding and use of chemicals, such as chlorine, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and sodium hydroxide, in that employees entered either of the three 40,000 vats without any elements of a confined space program in place to ensure their safety.

Issued

Apr 30, 2013

Abate by

Jun 3, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): The procedures shall clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, including, but not limited to items (a) through (d) of this section:  a) Production area; On or about December 20, 2012 and at times prior the employer exposed his employees to potential hazardous energies in that employees were allowed to work in production equipment, to include but not limited to the 40,000 and 45,000 pound vats, in which no specific lockout tagout procedures existed.

Issued

Apr 30, 2013

Abate by

May 17, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): In any workplace where respirators are necessary to protect the health of the employee or whenever respirators are required by the employer, the employer did not establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures.    a) Production Area; On or about December 20, 2012 and at times prior the employer exposed his employees to potential respiratory hazards by requiring employees to wear full face respirators without having a written respiratory program that contained procedures for use of respirator, a selection process for respirator, employee training, or medical evaluations for employees.

Issued

Apr 30, 2013

Abate by

Jun 3, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(b): In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid. Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available.  a) 92 Washington Street, Uniontown, Al; On or about December 20, 2012 and at times prior thereto the employer exposed employees health hazards in that employee worked in a facility with several hazards to include electrical, confined space, lock out/tag out, and chemical hazards without a person trained in first aid.