OSHA Inspection: CLINTON'S DITCH COOPERATIVE CO., INC.

Issued

Oct 13, 2015

Abate by

May 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $3,150 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 potentially exposed to chemical burns and inhalation hazards from an uncontrolled release of anhydrous ammonia.       a) Throughout the ammonia system, on or about 7/14/2015: The employer did not take measures to limit potential for corrosion of pipes and equipment which handled anhydrous ammonia and also had no inspection and/or testing procedures to evaluate the mechanical integrity of pipes and equipment which handled anhydrous ammonia. Damaged insulation and vapor barriers as well as corroded pipes and were visible throughout the system.      b) On the ammonia system, on or about 7/14/2015: The employer did not perform inspections, tests, or replace pressure relief valves on a scheduled basis to ensure that pressure relief valves were maintained in good working order.      Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 13, 2015

Abate by

Nov 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,400 · Current $1,890 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(8)(ii)(B): Unless a physician determines that the standard threshold shift is not work-related or aggravated by occupational noise exposure, the employer did not ensure, when a standard threshold shift occurs, that for employees already using hearing protectors, employees be refitted and retrained in the use of hearing protectors and provided with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation if necessary:      a) At the facility, on or about 8/27/15: Where employees audiogram results showed a standard threshold shift had occurred, the employer did not ensure that employees were refitted and retrained in the use of hearing protection and provided with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation if necessary.        Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 13, 2015

Abate by

Nov 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $3,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(2): The employer did not develop an emergency response plan for emergencies which addressed the following minimum requirements of this standard: 1910.120(q)(2)(i) through 1910.120(q)(2)(xii):          a) At the facility, on or about 7/14/15: The employer did not develop an emergency response plan for employees authorized to investigate or respond to a release of anhydrous ammonia.         Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 13, 2015

Abate by

Nov 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(ii): First responders at the operational level did not receive at least eight hours of training or did not have sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate competency in the areas required by 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(ii)(A) through (q)(6)(ii)(F) and/or the employer did not so certify:     a) At the facility, on or about 7/14/15: Employees who were authorized to investigate releases of ammonia and attempt to mitigate a release in a defensive manner were not able to demonstrate competency in risk assessment and the limits of their personal protective equipment.    Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 13, 2015

Abate by

Nov 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,700 · Current $1,890 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(3)(iii)(B)(2): The employer did not implement a change schedule for respirators not equipped with an End of Service Life Indicator that would ensure cartridges were changed before the end of their service life:        a) At the facility, on or about 7/21/15: Employees wore negative pressure full face respirators with ammonia cartridges when investigating/responding to releases of ammonia. A change schedule had not been implemented for respirator cartridges.         Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 13, 2015

Abate by

Nov 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator were not annually fit tested:      a) At the facility, on or about 7/21/15: Employees who wore full face negative pressure respirators had not been fit tested within the past year.      Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Oct 13, 2015

Abate by

Nov 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.10(a): Where an employee's hearing test (audiogram) revealed that the employee had experienced a work-related Standard Threshold Shift (STS) in hearing in one or both ears, and the employee's total hearing level was 25 decibels (dB) or more above audiometric zero (averaged at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz) in the same ear(s) as the STS, the employer did not record the case on the OSHA 300 Log.   a) At the facility, on or about 4/22/15: 3 cases where an employees audiogram showed an STS were not recorded on the 2015 OSHA 300 injury and illness log.      Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.