OSHA Inspection: MCCORMICK & COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Jul 5, 2013

Abate by

Sep 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200

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 caused or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm in that employees were exposed to combustible dust explosion, deflagration, or other fire hazards:         a) Production Area: The employer failed to ensure that an automatic spark detection system, fire suppression system, flame arrest or other means was used to detect and/or control a fire in the duct work and the dust collector. The duct work and dust collector were utilized to transport and capture fugitive mixtures of flour, sugar, salt and other combustible materials. Employees were exposed to a fire/explosion hazard while performing duties involving the manufacture of a variety of spices. A sample taken on March 05, 2013 was determined to be CLASS II combustible dust.        b) Production Area/Dust Collector: The employer failed to ensure that grounding and/or bonding was maintained on the ductwork and the dust collector to dissipate static electricity. The ductwork and dust collector were utilized to transport and capture fugitive mixtures of flour, sugar, salt and other combustible materials. Employees were exposed to a fire/explosion hazard while performing duties involving the manufacture of a variety of spices. A sample taken on March 05, 2013 was determined to be a class CLASS II combustible dust.     ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

Jul 5, 2013

Abate by

Jul 15, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms or service rooms were not kept clean.      a) Reconserve Room: The employer failed to ensure that the floor, cords, ledges, walls and equipment remained free from the accumulation of combustible dust. Employees performed duties involving the disposal of combustible spice dust and were exposed to a fire/explosion hazard while performing dumping of waste materials. The employees were dumping waste spices collected from the dust collector. A sample taken on March 05, 2013 was determined to be CLASS II combustible dust.

Issued

Jul 5, 2013

Abate by

Jul 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where employees 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 emergency use.     The employer failed to ensure that an eyewash and shower facility was available for employees that dispensed, utilized and handled injurious materials such as, but not limited to, lead/acid batteries and sodium hydroxide. Employees were exposed while performing maintenance, servicing and handling of 34 volt batteries and nearby sanitation activities to decontaminate surfaces, equipment and other articles.     a) Building 2: Forklift Charging Area did not maintained an eyewash/shower unit for exposed employees.     b) Building 1: Forklift charging area did not have a shower unit and the pressure on the eyewash was low.

Issued

Jul 5, 2013

Abate by

Aug 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c): Equipment, wiring methods, and installations of equipment in hazardous (classified) locations were not intrinsically safe, approved for the hazardous (classified) location, or safe for the hazardous (classified) location     Reconserve Room: The employer failed to ensure that all overhead lighting located and operated in a Division 1, Class II location was explosion proof and/or approved for the location. Employees were exposed to a fire/explosion hazard during operations involving the disposal of waste material. Florescent bulbs were utilized to provide lighting in the area. A sample taken on March 05, 2013 was determined to be a CLASS II combustible dust.

Issued

Jul 5, 2013

Abate by

Jul 22, 2013

Penalty

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

Hazardous substances E200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:    a) At McCormick & Company: The employer failed to ensure that employees were provided training on the hazards of combustible dust. Employees were exposed to a fire/explosion hazard while performing duties involving maintenance, sanitation, line operators, forklift opertions, reconserve and other duties for the manufacture of a variety of spices. A sample taken on March 05, 2013 was determined to be a CLASS II combustible diust.      ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED