OSHA Inspection: FIELDBROOK FOODS CORPORATION

Issued

May 19, 2014

Abate by

Dec 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,250 · Current $2,125 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to inhalation and burn hazards resulting from an uncontrolled release of anhydrous ammonia.     A) Anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system - On or about November 22, 2013, the refrigeration system was not adequately designed, installed, and maintained to protect employees from an uncontrolled release of anhydrous ammonia vapor in that:    *  Two self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) were not located immediately outside of the compressor room (ASHRAE 15, section 11.6).  *  Valves and controls in compressor room were not identified with durable signs having letters more than 0.5 inch in height designating: valves or switches for controlling refrigerant flow, ventilation, and compressor(s) (ASHRAE 15, section 11.2.2).  *  All piping mains, headers and branches were not identified as to the physical state of the refrigerant (that is, vapor, liquid, etc.), the relative pressure level of the refrigerant, and the direction of flow (IIAR-2 Section 10.5).  *  Emergency shutdown procedures, including precautions to be observed in case of a breakdown or leak, were not displayed on a card or sign located as near as possible to the refrigerant compressor(s) (ASHRAE 15, section 11.8).  *  Inspections for corrosion or insulation damage were not performed on uninsulated and insulated piping (IIAR Bulletin 109 Sections 4.7.4 and 4.7.5).  *  The compressor room was not sealed to prevent the escape of anhydrous ammonia refrigerant.  The wall above the door was open (ASHRAE 15, section 8.11.2).    *  The compressor room was not equipped with a functional refrigerant detector.  The only means of detecting a leak was by an employee smelling ammonia (ASHRAE 15, section 8.11.2.1).    *  Pressure relief valves (PRVs) were not being inspected or replaced every five years.  There were two Cyrus Shank PRVs on the High Pressure Receiver outside, and they were installed in June 2003 (IIAR Bulletin 110, section 6.6.3).     *  The PRVs on the High Pressure Receiver did not comply with applicable requirments for safe relief location, in that PRVs discharged to a wall-mounted header with vent terminating approximately 3 feet above the ground.  (ASHRAE-15 9.7.8).

Issued

May 19, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,550 · Current $1,275 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(h): Standard railings were not provided on the open sides of all exposed stairways and stair platforms:    a) On or about November 22, 2013 at the outside rear stairway of the Fieldbrook Foods Corporation facility at 145 North Main Street, Gloversville, New York 12078 a standard railing was lacking an intermediate rail.

Issued

May 19, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,400 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2): Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":    a)  On or about 12/04/13 at the Fieldbrook Foods facility at 145 N. Main Street in Gloversville, NY the exit route from the production room back through the front lobby of the facility was not marked with an exit sign.

Issued

May 19, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,250 · Current $2,125 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:    a)  On or about November 22, 2013 the Fieldbrook Foods facility at 145 North Main Street, Gloversville, NY 12078 was operating without facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body. The facility uses anhydrous ammonia, a corrosive chemical, for refrigeration purposes.

Issued

May 19, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,250 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(a)(6): The employer did not ensure that all name-plates and markings were in place and maintained in a legible condition:    A)  On or before November 22, 2013 a Baker powered industrial truck (forklift) was in service at the rear of Fieldbrook Foods, 145 North Main Street, Gloversville, New York 12078 with vehicle identification markings and warning markings that were unreadable.

Issued

May 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,550 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(f)(2): Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its disconnecting means or overcurrent device, was not legibly marked to indicate its purpose, nor located and arranged so the purpose was evident:    A) Boiler Room - On or about November 22, 2013, circuit breakers in the boiler room in a 208 Volt panel were not accurately labeled to reflect the purpose of the breakers.  Some had handwritten markings on the back of the cover and many had no labels at all.

Issued

May 19, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(A): For electric equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, and likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized, the depth of the working space in the direction of access to live parts (as measured from the live parts where they were exposed or from the enclosure front or opening where they were enclosed) was less than indicated in Table S-1 of Subpart S of Part 1910:  A) Boiler Room - On or prior to November, 22 2013, at the Fieldbrook foods Corporation facility at 145 North Main Street, Gloversville, NY 12078 drums and pails were stored in front of an electrical panel box of 208 volts.