OSHA Inspection: DAKOTA FERTILIZER COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Jun 6, 2016

Abate by

Jun 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,400 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0170

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c): The employer did not develop and implement a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures and elements for required respirator use:  (a) On or about April 15, 2016, for two employees with potential exposure to anhydrous ammonia (CAS # 7664-41-7) where respirators were provided to employees at or near 7360 65th Street SW in New Leipzig, ND.  Abatement Note:    A minimally acceptable respiratory protection program shall include all of the following requirements:    1.  Written standard operating procedures governing the selection and use of respirators shall be established.    2.  Only approved respirators shall be used.  Respirators shall be selected on the basis of hazards to which the worker is exposed.    3.  Respirators must be provided free-of-charge where respirators are needed to protect the health of the employees.    4.  Employers must provide (free-of-charge) a medical evaluation to determine    each employee's fitness to wear a respirator before initial use.    5.  Before initial respirator use, fit testing is required for all employees using negative or positive pressure tight-fitting respirators where such respirators are required by OSHA or where the employer requires the use of such a respirator.    6.  The user shall be instructed and trained in the proper use of respirators and their limitations.    7.  Surveillance of work area conditions and degree of employee exposure or stress shall be conducted.    8.  Employer must ensure the use of respirators where respirators are needed to protect the health of the employees.    9.  Respirators shall be regularly cleaned and disinfected to keep them in a sanitary condition.    10.  Respirators shall be stored in a clean and sanitary location to prevent damage and contamination.    11.  Respirators shall be inspected during cleaning and repaired when necessary.    12.  There shall be regular inspection and evaluation to determine the continued effectiveness of the program.    13.  Compressed breathing air must meet at least the requirements for Grade D breathing air.    14.  The employer must establish and retain medical evaluations and fit-testing records.

Issued

Jun 6, 2016

Abate by

Jun 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0170

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:  (a) On or about April 15, 2016, for two employees with potential exposure to anhydrous ammonia (CAS # 7664-41-7) where respirators were provided to employees at or near 7360 65th Street SW in New Leipzig, ND.

Issued

Jun 6, 2016

Abate by

Jun 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0170

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(1): The employer did not ensure that employee(s) required to use a tight-fitting facepiece respirator passed the appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT):  (a) On or about April 15, 2016, for two employees with potential exposure to anhydrous ammonia (CAS # 7664-41-7) where respirators were provided to employees at or near 7360 65th Street SW in New Leipzig, ND.