OSHA Inspection: ASPEN FOODS, INC. DIVISION OF KOCH FOODS

Issued

Apr 24, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

Hazardous substances C730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(a)(2): Other substances -- 8-hour Time Weighted Averages. An employee's exposure to any substance in Table Z-1, the exposure limit of which is not preceded by a "C", shall not exceed the 8-hour Time Weighted Average given for that substance any 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour work week.   On or about December 8, 2014, in the fryer area, employees working in the fryer area were exposed to carbon monoxide levels as follows:      a.  A temporary employee was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 240 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 310.6 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.139). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 30.5%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8-hour TWA exposure was 155.3 ppm CO (SAE = 0.143), which is 3.11 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.       b.  An employee of Aspen Foods, Inc.  division of Koch Foods was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 240 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 140.6 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.155). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 16.2%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8- hour TWA exposure was 70.3 ppm CO (SAE = 0.154), which is 1.41 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.      c.  An employee of Aspen Foods, Inc.  division of Koch Foods was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 210 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 180.3 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.112). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 18.5%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8-hour TWA exposure was 78.9 ppm CO (SAE = 0.115), which is 1.58 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.       d.  An employee of Aspen Foods, Inc.  division of Koch Foods was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 240 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 216.4 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.111). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 22.8%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8-hour TWA exposure was 108.2 ppm CO (SAE = 0.113), which is 2.16 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.       e.   An employee of Aspen Foods, Inc.  division of Koch Foods was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 240 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 181.5 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.140). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 19.7%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8- hour TWA exposure was 90.8 ppm CO (SAE = 0.141), which is 1.82 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.      f.  An employee of Aspen Foods, Inc.  division of Koch Foods was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 240 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 197.1 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.141). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 20.8%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8-hour TWA exposure was 98.5 ppm CO (SAE = 0.141), which is 1.97 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.       g.  An employee of Aspen Foods, Inc.  division of Koch Foods was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 240 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 222.7 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.171). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 24.1%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8- hour TWA exposure was 111.3 ppm CO (SAE = 0.173), which is 2.23 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.      h.  An employee of Aspen Foods, Inc.  division of Koch Foods was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 240 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 172.5 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.141). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 18.2%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8-hour TWA exposure was 86.3 ppm CO (SAE = 0.148), which is 1.73 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.

Issued

Apr 24, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances C730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(e): To achieve compliance with paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, administrative or engineering controls must first be determined and implemented whenever feasible. When such controls are not feasible to achieve full compliance, protective equipment or any other protective measures shall be used to keep the exposure of employees to air contaminants within the limits prescribed in this section. Any equipment and/or technical measures used for this purpose must be approved for each particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified person. Whenever respirators are used, their use shall comply with 1910.134.  [71 FR 16673, April 3, 2006]   Engineering and work practice controls (including administrative controls) were not implemented to reduce and maintain employee exposure to carbon monoxide in accordance with the schedule in Table 1 of this paragraph:   a. On or about December 8, 2014, employees working in the fryer area were exposed to carbon monoxide levels between 70 and 155 parts per million.   General methods of control applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to the following:   1. Engineering controls such as performing regular preventative maintenance on the fryer's local ventilation.   2. Administrative controls such as installing a continuous carbon monoxide monitor suitable for the work environment.