OSHA Inspection: ROYAL CREST DAIRY

Issued

Sep 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 1, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,550 · Current $1,530 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 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 a hazardous chemical hazard:     (a)Royal Crest Dairy at 800 Weaver Park Rd., Longmont, CO 80501:  On and before May 21st, 2015, the employer did not segregate incompatible chemicals in the secondary storage containment. The employer allowed the potential for an acid - base reaction by using the same secondary storage containment for Vortexx Sanitizer (Acid with a pH of 0.9) and the Principal Cleaner (Base with a pH up to 13.5) by allowing storage of an open pitcher of Principle Cleaner on top of the 55 gallon drum of Vortex. The Vortexx sanitizer contained Acetic Acid (24%), Hydrogen Peroxide (6.9%), and Peroxyacetic Acid (4.4%);  and Principal Cleaner contained Sodium Hydroxide (15%).  Mixing these components could result in chemical burns to employees. The condition exposed employees to burn hazards.       Abatement Note:  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to segregate all containers of Vortexx sanitizer and Principle Cleaner containers. Secondary containment of containers and storage barrels upon pallets with containment sumps is an acceptable method of abatement.

Issued

Sep 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 1, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,550 · Current $1,530 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(3): Regardless of height, open-sided floors, walkways, platforms, or runways above or adjacent to dangerous equipment, pickling or galvanizing tanks, degreasing units, and similar hazards were not guarded with a standard railing and toe board:    (a)Royal Crest Dairy at 800 Weaver Park Rd., Longmont, CO 80501:  On and before May 21st, 2015, the employer did not ensure that employees who were adding chemicals to the HTST cream press (balance) tank by lifting up the entire lid, were protected from falling into the tank.  Employees were adding concentrated acid and alkaline chemicals, including Ecolabs AC 55-5 Red Acid Cleaner, which contained nitric acid and had a pH down to 0.9, and AC 103, which contained sodium hydroxide and had a pH up to 14.0.  The condition exposed employees to chemical burn hazards.    Abatement note:  As an alternative to the use of guardrails, the employer also has the option of limiting exposure via the use of the pour hole (approximately 6 inches in diameter) at the top of the lid.

Issued

Sep 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 1, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,550 · Current $1,530 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:    (a)Royal Crest Dairy at 800 Weaver Park Rd., Longmont, CO 80501:  On and before May 21st, 2015, the employer did not ensure that employees were using appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves and aprons when handling concentrated acid and alkaline chemicals, including Ecolabs AC 55-5 Red Acid Cleaner, which contained nitric acid and had a pH down to 0.9, and AC 103, which contained sodium hydroxide and had a pH up to 14.0.  The condition exposed employees to the potential for chemical burns.

Issued

Sep 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 1, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 (PPE):   (a)Royal Crest Dairy at 800 Weaver Park Rd., Longmont, CO 80501:  On and before May 21st, 2015, the employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment.  The employees handled concentrated acid and alkaline chemicals, including Ecolabs AC 55-5 Red Acid Cleaner, which contained nitric acid and had a pH down to 0.9, and AC 103, which contained sodium hydroxide and had a pH up to 14.0. The employer did not ensure employees were utilizing the proper use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, aprons, goggles, face shields, and hearing protection when handling chemicals.  The condition exposed employees to chemical burn hazards.    Abatement note:  29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(I) provides that the employer is to select, and have employees use, the personal protective equipment.

Issued

Sep 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 1, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee used appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation:  (a)Royal Crest Dairy at 800 Weaver Park Rd., Longmont, CO 80501:  On and before May 21st, 2015, the employer did not ensure that employees were using splash-proof goggles and a face shield when handling concentrated acid and alkaline chemicals, including Ecolabs AC 55-5 Red Acid Cleaner, which contained nitric acid and had a pH down to 0.9, and AC 103, which contained sodium hydroxide and had a pH up to 14.0.  The condition exposed employees to the potential for eye injuries from chemical burns.