OSHA Inspection: ROCKY FORD GROWERS COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

Issued

Jun 24, 2016

Abate by

Jul 21, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,600

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1):  Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent):    1) On May 24, 2016, and at prior times, employees were exposed to fall hazards where the platform on top of the ammonia storage tank was not equipped with a standard guardrail on all sides.

Issued

Jun 24, 2016

Abate by

Jul 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $2,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(1):  The employer did not develop and implement an emergency response plan to handle anticipated emergencies prior to commencement of emergency response operations:     1) On May 24, 2016, and at prior times, the employer expected employees to engage in emergency response activities in response to potential emergency releases from an 18,000 lb ammonia tank, including activities such donning emergency PPE and responding from an outside area, applying a plume of water to control releases, and activating emergency shut off valves.  The employer did not implement all the elements of an emergency response plan as required by paragraph (q)(2) of this section, including:      a) personnel roles, lines of authority, training, and communication;  b) safe distances and places of refuge;  c) evacuation routes and procedures;  d) decontamination;  e) emergency medical treatment and first aid;  f) critique of response and follow up.

Issued

Jun 24, 2016

Abate by

Jul 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(iii): Employees who participated as hazardous materials technicians, or were expected to participate as hazardous materials technicians, had not received at least 24 hours of training equal to the first responder operations level, and in addition have competency in the areas outlined in 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(iii)(A) through (q)(6)(iii)(I) and/or the employer did not so certify:    1) On May 24, 2016, and at prior times, the employer expected, and employees stated they were expected, to engage in emergency response activities in response to potential emergency releases from an 18,000 lb ammonia tank, including activities such donning emergency PPE and responding from an outside area, applying a plume of water to control releases, and activating emergency shut off valves.  The employer did not provide the employees with the required emergency response training.

Issued

Jun 24, 2016

Abate by

Jul 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(9)(i): Members of an organized and designated HAZMAT team and hazardous materials specialists did not receive a baseline physical examination and/or were not provided with medical surveillance as required by 29 CFR 1910.120(f0:    1) On May 24, 2016, and at prior times, the employer did not provide baseline physical examinations and medical surveillance to employees expected to engage in emergency response activities.