OSHA Inspection: BIG Y FOODS, INC.

Issued

Dec 27, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $5,000

Hazardous substances C730

General-duty citation text

The violations listed below are grouped together as a single violation because they describe different aspects of a particular hazard that may increase the potential for occupational illness resulting from exposure to a toxic material.         29 CFR 1910.1000(a)(2): Employee(s) were exposed to an airborne concentration of carbon monoxide listed in Table Z-1 - Limits for Air Contaminants, in excess of the 8 hour Time Weighted Average concentration of 50 ppm:   Specifics:   Employees working stocking shelves in the supermarket on the overnight shift on 10/2/2013 were exposed to levels of carbon monoxide generated by the operation of a propane-powered concrete cutting saw inside the store.  The exposures were at concentrations in excess of the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits given in Table Z - 1 as detailed below:    a)  The Supervisory Stock Clerk was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations averaging 273 ppm during a 450 minute work period.  This assessment is based upon a documented carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) pulse oximeter sample of 22 % COHb obtained on the employee approximately 96 minutes following the exposure period. The carbon monoxide exposure concentration as averaged over an 8 hour work shift (assuming zero exposure for the non-work periods and for the time before the concrete saw was in operation) was calculated to be 256 ppm (8 hr., time-weighted average).  This exposure exceeds the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for carbon monoxide (which is 50 ppm) by a factor of 5.1 times.   b)  A Stock Clerk was exposed to carbon monoxide concentrations averaging 206 ppm during a 360 minute work period.  This assessment is based upon a documented COHb blood sample of 11 % obtained approximately 280 minutes following the exposure period.  The carbon monoxide exposure concentration as averaged over an 8 hour work shift (assuming zero exposure for the non-work periods and for the time before the concrete saw was in operation) was calculated to be 154 ppm (8 hr., time-weighted average).  This exposure exceeds the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit for carbon monoxide by a factor of 3.1 times.

Issued

Dec 27, 2013

Abate by

Jan 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances C730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(e): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not determined and implemented to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d):   a)  The employer did not implement feasible engineering controls to prevent the Stock Clerks exposure to carbon monoxide in excess of the Permissible Exposure Limit.  Feasible engineering controls include requiring contractors in the store to use power equipment that cannot generate carbon monoxide such as electric, hydraulic, or pneumatically powered concrete saws or the greater use of dilution ventilation with real time carbon monoxide monitoring to ensure employees were not being excessively exposed.  These measures are not exclusive of other feasible engineering controls that would be equally effective of preventing excessive carbon monoxide exposures.

Issued

Dec 27, 2013

Abate by

Jan 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances C730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200 (h)(3)(i):  Employee training in Hazard Communication did not include the methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area (such as continuous monitoring devices).  (Construction Reference: 1926.59)      a)  Big Y Supermarket in North Adams:  The employer introduced a source of carbon monoxide into the work environment in the form of a propane-powered concrete saw.  As a component of Hazard Communication training the employer did not train the over-night Stock Clerks to detect the presence of carbon monoxide in their work environment by instructing them to recognize the symptoms of excessive exposure.  The employer did not educate the Stock Clerks in the fact that a Carbon Monoxide Monitor/Alarm had been installed in the back stock room.  They did not train the Clerks to periodically monitor the alarm when the saw was in operation and what protocols to follow when the alarm alerted.