OSHA Inspection: AMERICOLD LOGISTICS

Issued

Jun 13, 2016

Abate by

Jul 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $0 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:   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 ammonia inhalation and fire/explosion hazards when the employer did not identify ammonia refrigeration piping by name and direction of flow in Engine Rooms 1, 2, and 3 at the Americold facility, Carthage Missouri.  One acceptable means of abatement of this hazardous condition is to label or mark ammonia refrigeration piping as shown in IIAR bulletin 114 (March 2014) "Identification of Ammonia Refrigeration Piping and System Components", Section 4.1 "Piping Markers", and Section 5.0 (a-d) "Marker Location".

Issued

Jun 13, 2016

Abate by

Jul 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(l)(2)(ii):  The management of change procedures did not assure that the impact of changes on safety and health were addressed prior to any change.  (a) At Americold Logistics: The employer is failing to ensure that the management of change procedures for a recent Header Relief Project in Engine Room 8 included a review of  the impact on safety and health.  The company decided not to accomplish a Process Hazard Analysis for the upgraded system.  As a result an issue was created where hydrostatic pressure could accumulate if the valves for the Thermo-syphon sending line and Thermo-syphon return lines for each compressor were closed.  The line had a safety relief valve which was removed as part of the project creating this issue. This was most recently documented at Americold Logistics located in Carthage Missouri

Issued

Jun 13, 2016

Abate by

Jul 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(l)(3): The employer did not train employees in the changes to a covered process prior to start up.  At Americold Logistics: The employer is failing to train their employees on the issues of hydrostatic pressure build-up of the thermos-syphon sending valves, thermo-syphon return valves, and the hazards of closing both valves simultaneously. This was most recently documented at Americold Logistic, Carthage, Missouri.

Issued

Jun 13, 2016

Abate by

Jul 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(l)(5): When a change covered by this paragraph resulted in a change in the operating procedures or practices required by paragraph (f) of this section, such procedures or practices were not updated accordingly.  At Americold Logistics:  The employer is failing to change the operating procedure when changes to the system are made which render the operation procedure obsolete or incorrect. This was most recently documented at Americold Logistics, Carthage Missouri, where there was not a Standard Operating Procedure for the recent changes in thermo-syphon relief system.

Issued

Jun 13, 2016

Abate by

Jul 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:   At Americold Logistics in Engine Room #8:  The employer is failing to protect employees from hazards due to an unused opening in a  junction box. This was most recently documented at Americold Logistics, Carthage Missouri, where employees are exposed to electrical hazards.

Issued

Jun 13, 2016

Abate by

Jul 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $6,600 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(e)(1): Cabinets, cutout boxes, fittings, boxes, and panel board enclosures in damp or wet locations were not installed to prevent moisture or water from entering and accumulating within the enclosures:   At Americold Logistics:  The employer is failing to protected employees from electrical shock hazards.  This was most recently documented at Americold Logistics, Carthage Missouri, in Vessel Room 86/77, where employees are expose to electrical components that are not approved for wet or damp locations.

Issued

Jun 13, 2016

Abate by

Jul 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(4): Portable electric equipment and flexible cords that was used in highly conductive work locations (such as those inundated with water or other conductive locations) or in job locations where employees were likely to contact water or conductive liquids were not approved for those locations:  At Americold Logistics:  The employer is failing to protect employees from electrical shock hazards.  A 480 volt heater unit is being used to assist with thawing ice build-up on the chiller units located in the freezer.  The location varies dependent upon where the ice has accumulated.  The heater is not approved for locations (not identified as such on the ID plate or labeling).  This unit is also being directly wired into the power supply for the chiller fan system (480 volts) due  to there not being any type of male plug on the cord.

Issued

Jun 13, 2016

Abate by

Jul 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(iii): Employee training did not include the measures employees can take to protect themselves from chemical hazards, including specific procedures the employer had implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures and personal protective equipment to be used:  At Americold Logistics:  The employer is failing to protect employees from the hazards associated with hazardous chemical exposure.   General hazard communication overview training is provided; however, it is not specific to the chemicals to which the employees are commonly exposed.