OSHA Inspection: PURE'S FOOD SPECIALTIES, INC.

Issued

Mar 24, 2014

Abate by

Jun 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,500 Reduced

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 were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to combustible dust deflagration and explosion hazards while working at or near two indoor storage silo systems which were not designed to prevent or minimize employee exposure in the event of an internal deflagration or other uncontrolled fire event.    On or about December 30, 2013 the indoor silo 1 and indoor silo 2 used for storing combustible wheat flour dust were not provided with a means of:     i.  Explosion protection for the storage silos  ii. Deflagration (flame front) propagation isolation    a) Storage silo 1 lacked a means of explosion protection, including deflagration propagation protection (isolation) for the upstream and/or downstream process equipment and/or areas    b) Storage silo 2 lacked a means of explosion protection, including deflagration propagation isolation for the upstream and/or downstream process equipment and/or areas     Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable method to correct these hazards would be to follow the National Fire Protection Associations NFPA 61 Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities, 2013 sections 6.1 and 6.2.1 and 10.4.10 and Annex sections A.6.1 and A.6.2.1 and A.10.4.10; also FM Global Property Loss Prevention 7-76 sections 2.6 and 3.1.25.  Specifically, 1) relocate storage silos handling combustible dusts outside (preferred location), and provide with a method of explosion protection such as deflagration venting in accordance with NFPA 68 Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting, 2013; 2) include deflagration propagation protection (isolation) in the design of such an explosion protection system in order to protect equipment and/or areas upstream and/or downstream of the silos as referenced in NFPA 69 Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems, 2014 and NFPA 654 Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Duct Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids, 2013.

Issued

Mar 24, 2014

Abate by

May 8, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present, or were likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE):    a.  On or about December 30, 2013,  the employer did not assess the workplace to determine the need for personal protective equipment. Employees required to perform cookie manufacture, maintenance and sanitization operations were exposed to contact with hazardous materials, including but not limited to oils, lubricants, sanitizers, paint thinner & inks.

Issued

Mar 24, 2014

Abate by

May 8, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1): The employer did not provide training to each employee who is required by this section to use personal protection equipment (PPE):  a.  On or about December 30, 2013,  employees were exposed to hazards during cookie manufacturing, maintenance & sanitization operations. Employees required to manufacture cookies, perform maintenance & sanitization operations were exposed to contact with hazardous materials, including but not limited to oils, lubricants, sanitizers, paint thinner & inks.  Employees were not trained to know at least the following:  1. When PPE is necessary,  2. What PPE is necessary,  3. How to properly don, doff, adjust and wear PPE,  4. The limitations of PPE,  5. The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of PPE.

Issued

Mar 24, 2014

Abate by

May 8, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:    a.  On or about December 30, 2013, in the facility, employees required to perform cookie manufacturing, maintenance & sanitation operations were exposed to contact with hazardous materials, including but not limited to oils, lubricants, sanitizers, paint thinner & inks. The employer did not develop, implement and/or maintain at the workplace an adequate written hazard communication program.

Issued

Mar 24, 2014

Abate by

May 8, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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. On or about December 30, 2013,  in the facility, employees required perform cookie manufacturing, maintenance & sanitation operations were exposed to contact with hazardous materials, including but not limited to oils, lubricants, sanitizers, paint thinner & inks & associated cookie manufacturing chemicals. Employees were not provided with effective information & training on hazardous chemicals.