OSHA Inspection: SYNERGY FLAVORS (OH), LLC

Issued

Jul 2, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $3,150 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2260

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 necessitated the use of personal protective equipment:    (a)  On or about April 17, 2015 the employer had not completed an assessment of the safety and health hazards in the workplace for employees who were exposed to corrosive chemicals, such as sodium hydroxide.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Jul 2, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(i): When the employer had assessed the workplace hazard(s) and determined that hazard(s) were present, the employer did not select and/or use the types of personal protective equipment that would protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the assessment.  (a)  The employer did not require the use of face shields, chemical resistant gloves and chemical resistant aprons for maintenance employees who were exposed to corrosive chemicals, such as sodium hydroxide when replacing pumps on the CIP system.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Jul 2, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(ii): The employer did not communicate personal protection equipment selection decision(s) to each affected employee:  (a)  The employer did not communicate to maintenance employees the need for the use of face shields, chemical resistant gloves and chemical resistant aprons when they were replacing pumps and were exposed to corrosive chemicals, such as sodium hydroxide on the CIP system.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Jul 2, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed, the date(s) of the hazard assessment, and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment:  (a)  On or about April 17, 2015 the employer had not verified in writing that an assessment of the safety and health hazards in the workplace had been completed.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Jul 2, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $3,150 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): Protective face equipment was not required where there was a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented by such equipment:     (a)  On or about April 17, 2015, a maintenance employee received severe burns to the eyes and mouth when sprayed with ChemStation 3020 Alkaline Concentrate while changing the pump for the caustic blending in the Clean In Place (CIP) automated cleaning system when the employee was not wearing a face shield.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Jul 2, 2015

Abate by

Aug 19, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $3,150 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1): The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative:    On or about April 17, 2015, the employer's lock out tag out program did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to:    (a) A specific statement of the intended use of the procedure;    (b) Specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy;    (c) Specific procedural steps for the placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices or tagout devices and the responsibility for them; and    (d) Specific requirements for testing a machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy control measures.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Jul 2, 2015

Abate by

Aug 19, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls are acquired by employees:  (a)  Employees such as but not limited to authorized, affected and others were not trained on an effective lockout/tagout program.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.