OSHA Inspection: AMERICOLD

Issued

Apr 27, 2016

Abate by

May 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(d)(3)(ii): The employer did not document that the equipment in the process complied with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices.   The employer failed to document that equipment in the process complied with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP).  These conditions exposed employees to inhalation, fire, and explosion.  a. This violation was observed on or about December 10, 2015 and at times prior thereto in Building 2 engine room when the employer failed to document that the ventilation system is capable of achieving the maximum cfm required. (An example of a RAGAGEP for exhaust fan design, configuration and engineering is ANSI/IIAR 2-2008 and/or ANSI/ASHRAE 15-2010)    b. This violation was observed on or about December 10, 2015 and at times prior thereto in Building 2 engine room when employer failed to ensure emergency mechanical ventilation system(s) were activated by an ammonia detector; ran continuously and provided with a supervisory alarm to detect failure or shutdown of system; or the engine room conformed to the requirements of Class 1, Division 2, of the National Electrical Code.  (An example of a RAGAGEP for ammonia refrigeration room requirements is ANSI/ASHRAE 15-2010 and National Electrical Code).    c. The This violation was observed on or about December 10, 2015 and at times prior thereto in Building 1 engine room when the employer failed to document that ventilation controls were located outside the principal entrance to engine room in accordance with RAGAGEP.  (An example of a RAGAGEP for designing and engineering ammonia refrigeration systems/facilities are ANSI/IIAR 2-2008 and/or ANSI/ASHRAE 15-2010).  d. This violation was observed on or about December 10, 2015 and at times prior thereto in Building 1 and Building 2 engine rooms when the employer failed to document that detectors activate visual and audible alarms outside each entrance to refrigeration machinery rooms in accordance with RAGAGEP. (ANSI/ASHRAE-15 and ANSI/IIAR-2 are examples of RAGAGEP that are used for designing ammonia refrigeration and leak detection and alerting systems)  e. This violation was observed on or about December 10, 2015 and at times prior thereto in Building 1 and Building 2 engine rooms when the employer failed to document that louvers complied with RAGAGEP.  (ANSI/IIAR 111 2002 is an example of RAGAGEP that outlines the design and construction requirements for louvers.)

Issued

Apr 27, 2016

Abate by

May 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(5): The employer did not correct deficiencies in equipment that were outside acceptable limits (defined by the process safety information on paragraph (d) of this section) in a safe and timely manner when necessary means where taken to assure safe operation.  a. This violation was observed on or about December 10, 2015 and at times prior thereto in Building 2 engine room when the employer failed to document that the ventilation system is capable of achieving the maximum cfm required. (An example of a RAGAGEP for exhaust fan design, configuration and engineering is ANSI/IIAR 2-2008 and/or ANSI/ASHRAE 15-2010).    b. This violation was observed on or about December 10, 2015 and at times prior thereto in Building 2 engine room when employer failed to ensure emergency mechanical ventilation system(s) were activated by an ammonia detector; ran continuously and provided with a supervisory alarm to detect failure or shutdown of system; or the engine room conformed to the requirements of Class 1, Division 2, of the National Electrical Code.  (An example of a RAGAGEP for ammonia refrigeration room requirements is ANSI/ASHRAE 15-2010 and National Electrical Code).  c. This violation was observed on or about December 10, 2015 and at times prior thereto in Building 1 and Building 2 engine rooms when the employer failed to document that louvers complied with RAGAGEP.  (An example of RAGAGEP is ANSI/IIAR 111-2002 that outlines the design and construction requirements for louvers.)

Issued

Apr 27, 2016

Abate by

May 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(2): The employer did not establish and implement written procedures to maintain the on-going mechanical integrity of process equipment.  The employer failed to established and implemented written procedures to maintain the on-going mechanical integrity of process equipment.  This violation was observed in the Building 1 and Building 2 ammonia refrigeration engine rooms on or about December 10, 2015 and at times prior thereto, when the employer failed to ensure detailed written procedures were established and implemented for testing the safety cutouts. Identified cutouts include, but are not limited to Compressor Discharge High/Low Pressure, Compressor High/Low Oil Pressure Differential, Compressor High Discharge Temperature, and High/Low Vessel Levels. This condition exposed employees to fire or inhalation hazards of ammonia vapors.

Issued

Apr 27, 2016

Abate by

May 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(4)(iv):  The documentation of the inspection or test that had been performed on process equipment to maintain its mechanical integrity did not identify the date of the inspection or test, the serial number or other identifier of the equipment on which the inspection or test was performed, a description of the inspection or test, and the results of the inspection or test.  The employer did not ensure inspection(s) or test(s) that had been performed on process equipment to maintain its mechanical integrity are documented including the date of the inspection or test, a description of the inspection or test, and the results of the inspection or test.   The violation occurred in the ammonia refrigeration engine room(s) on or about December 13, 2015 and at times prior thereto where the employer failed to ensure results of inspection(s) or test(s) performed on safety systems and cutouts were documented. Identified safety systems include but are not limited to Compressor Discharge High/Low Pressure, Compressor High/Low Oil Pressure Differential, Compressor High Discharge Temperature, and High/Low Vessel Levels. This condition exposed employees to inhalation hazards.