OSHA Inspection: GARELICK FARMS, LLC

Issued

Nov 16, 2016

Abate by

Mar 31, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,471 · Current $8,106 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(e)(3)(iii): The process hazard analysis (PHA) did not address engineering and administrative controls applicable to the hazards and their interrelationships such as appropriate application of detection methodologies to provide early warning of releases.    Production Area:    Employer failed to address the safeguard(s) for the following hazard identified in the employer's 2011 PHA:    a) Item 5.1 - What if piping experiences external corrosion?

Issued

Nov 16, 2016

Abate by

Mar 31, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,471 · Current $8,106 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(f)(4): The employer did not develop and implement safe work practices to provide for the control of hazards during operations such as lockout/tagout; confined space entry; opening process equipment or piping; and control over entrance into a facility by maintenance, contractor, laboratory, or other support personnel:    West Cooler:    On or about May 18, 2016, the Employer did not develop and implement safe work practices for the control of hazards during roof repair work performed by outside contractors that affected process equipment.  A leak of ammonia refrigerant occurred in the West Cooler during roof repair when an employee removed a hanger/pipe-support that was supporting several ammonia refrigerant pipes on the roof.

Issued

Nov 16, 2016

Abate by

Mar 31, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,471 · Current $8,106 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(4)(ii): Inspection and testing procedures did not follow recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices:    Production Area:    On or about May 18, 2016:   a) Inspection and testing of mechanical fasteners, for example, bonnet and flange bolts including the fasteners for solenoid valve #935 failed to follow recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices such as IIAR (International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration) Bulletin No. 109 (1997), Section 4.7.2 when the employer failed to periodically check bonnet and flange bolts for tightness exposing employees to the hazard of ammonia inhalation.    b) Inspection and testing of ammonia system piping including piping upstream from the Evaporator Zone #27 in the West Cooler failed to follow recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices such as IIAR Bulletin No. 109 (1997), Section 4.7.4 and IIAR Bulletin 110 (R2007), Section 6.7.1 when the employer failed to inspect or take actions to further evaluate or remediate sections of uninsulated piping that exhibited signs of deterioration such as corrosion exposing employees to the hazard of ammonia inhalation.

Issued

Nov 16, 2016

Abate by

Mar 31, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,471 · Current $8,106 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(4)(iii): The frequency of inspections and tests of process equipment was not consistent with applicable manufacturers' recommendations and good engineering practices, and more frequently if determined to be necessary by prior operating experience:    Production Area:    On or about May 18, 2016, ammonia sensors of the Analygas Model 20 gas monitoring system have not been tested or replaced monthly as stated in the manufacturer's written recommendations.

Issued

Nov 16, 2016

Abate by

Mar 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,471 · Current $8,106 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(2): The employer did not develop an emergency response plan for emergencies which addressed the following minimum requirements of this standard: 1910.120(q)(2)(i) through 1910.120(q)(2)(xii):    Establishment:    On or about May 18, 2016, employer' Emergency Action Plan (EAP) did not address the following minimum requirements of this standard in the event of an accidental release/leak of ammonia refrigerant:  a) Training for employees.  b) Emergency alerting and response procedures. Employer relied on word-of-mouth to communicate evacuation following an anhydrous ammonia leak that occurred on or about May 18, 2016.  c) PPE and emergency equipment.

Issued

Nov 16, 2016

Abate by

Mar 31, 2017

Penalty

Initial $11,758 · Current $7,643 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(iii)(D): Employees who participated, or were expected to participate, as hazardous material technicians did not have the competency to know how to select and use proper specialized chemical personal protective equipment provided to the hazardous materials technician:    Establishment:    On or about May 18, 2016, employer did not ensure that employees who responded to an anhydrous ammonia leak demonstrated the competency to select and use proper specialized chemical personal protective equipment.

Issued

Nov 16, 2016

Abate by

Mar 31, 2017

Penalty

Initial $9,799 · Current $6,369 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employer did not ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting respirator was fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece was used, and at least annually thereafter:     Establishment:  Employer did not provide initial or annual fit testing for employees who may wear a tight-fitting respirator for protection against anhydrous ammonia during maintenance, repairs or responding to leaks.