OSHA Inspection: DICKINSON FROZEN FOODS, INC.

Issued

Feb 16, 2016

Abate by

May 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(2): Exit routes were not arranged so that employees did not have to travel toward a high hazard area:  a) Blue Room: On or about October 21, 2015 and at times prior to; the exterior exit door was welded shut and the nearest exit was through ammonia compressor room A and then through ammonia compressor room B before exiting the building.  Note) Abatement certification and documentation ARE required for this item.

Issued

Feb 16, 2016

Abate by

May 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit routes were not free and unobstructed.  Materials or equipment were placed, either permanently or temporarily, within the exit route:  a) Blue Room: On or about October 21, 2015 and at times prior to; employees accessing the room to perform work did not have a free and unobstructed path to an emergency exit or internal exit.  Fixed mechanical equipment to include belts and railings limit aisle clearance.    Note) Abatement certification and documentation ARE required for this item.

Issued

Feb 16, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(5): Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit was not marked "Not an Exit" or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use (e.g. closet):  a)  Blue Room:  On or about October 21, 2015, and at times prior to, an exit door to the outside was welded shut, but was not labeled as "Not an Exit" to warn employees that the door was not operational.    Note) Abatement certification and documentation ARE required for this item.

Issued

Feb 16, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(4)(viii): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not provide rescue and emergency equipment needed to comply with 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(9).  a)  Wastewater manholes:  On or about October 28, 2015 and at times prior to; maintenance technicians entered a permit-required confined space and rescue equipment was not positioned or available for use in the event a rescue operation was necessary.  Rescue equipment may include, but is not limited to, tripod and mechanical winch designed for emergency rescue operations.  Note) Abatement certification and documentation ARE required for this item.

Issued

Feb 16, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(k)(1)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each member of the rescue service was trained to perform the assigned rescue duties:  a)  Wastewater manholes vicinity: On or about October 28, 2015, the employer had not evaluated the local fire department's ability to provide rescue services.  Note) Abatement certification and documentation ARE required for this item.

Issued

Feb 16, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(k)(2)(ii): Affected employees were not trained to perform assigned rescue duties. The employer did not ensure that such employees had successfully completed the training required to establish proficiency as an authorized entrant, as provided by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this section:  a)  On or about October 21, 2015 and at times prior to, maintenance technicians who were required to enter wastewater manhole(s) to repair equipment (e.g.; pumps) had not participated in confined space rescue operations training.     Note) Abatement certification and documentation ARE required for this item.

Issued

Feb 16, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not develop and implement the means, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations, including, but not limited to items (d)(3)(i) through (d)(3)(vi) of this paragraph.  a)  Wastewater manholes: On or about October 28, 2015 and at times prior thereto, maintenance technicians entered a manhole without the availability of employer required rescue equipment in the event a rescue operation was necessary. Rescue equipment may include but is not limited to a  tripod and winch designed for emergency rescue.   b) Wastewater manholes: On or about October 28, 2015 and at times prior thereto, maintenance technicians entered a manhole without completing an entry permit for a permit required confined space.   c) Wastewater manholes: On or about October 28, 2015 and at times prior thereto, maintenance technicians entered a manhole without having completed a rescue exercise with local emergency services.    Note) Abatement certification and documentation ARE required for tjhis item.

Issued

Feb 16, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(13): Entry operations were not reviewed when the employer had reason to believe that the measures taken under the permit space program would not protect employees and revise the program to correct deficiencies found to exist before subsequent entries were authorized.    a)  Wastewater manholes: On or about October 28, 2015 and at times prior thereto, maintenance technicians entered a manhole without the availability of employer required rescue equipment in the event a rescue operation was necessary. Rescue equipment may include but is not limited to a  tripod and winch designed for emergency rescue.   b) Wastewater manholes: On or about October 28, 2015 and at times prior thereto, maintenance technicians entered a manhole without completing an entry permit for a permit required confined space.   c) Wastewater manholes: On or about October 28, 2015 and at times prior thereto, maintenance technicians entered a manhole without having completed a rescue exercise with local emergency services.    Note) Abatement documentation and certification ARE required for this item.

Issued

Feb 16, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(e)(1): Before entry into a permit space was authorized, the employer did not document the completion of measures required by 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3) by preparing an entry permit.  a) On or about October 28, 2015 and at times prior to; permit required confined space permits were not completed prior to maintenance employees being directed to enter wastewater manholes.  Note) Abatement certification and documentation ARE required for this item.

Issued

Feb 16, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(e)(3): A completed permit was not made available at the time of entry to all authorized entrants or their authorized representatives, by posting it at the entry portal or by any other equally effective means, so that the entrants could confirm that pre-entry preparations have been completed:  a) On or about October 28, 2015 and at times prior to; the employer did not designate an entry supervisor to initiate/review permits and assure that permits were completed prior to  maintenance employees being directed to enter wastewater manholes.  Note ) Abatement certification and documentation ARE required for this item.

Issued

Feb 16, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(e)(6): The employer did not retain each canceled entry permit for at least 1 year to facilitate the review of the permit-required confined space (PRCS) program required by paragraph (d)(14) of this section:  a) On or about October 28, 2015, and at times prior to; the employer did not document entry procedures for the past six months and did not retain cancelled entry permits for the past year where maintenance employees were directed to enter wastewater manholes.  Employer PRCS program review on 5/11/2015 did not document program deficiencies.      Note) Abatement certification and documentation ARE required for this item.