OSHA Inspection: LA ESPIGA DE ORO, INC.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,800 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 were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to being struck-by unstable stored material.    On or about June 20, 2016, employees in the freezer storage area were exposed to struck-by hazards while working near a storage rack that had missing and damage structural support legs.  Material was stored above the non-supported areas.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,240 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): Floor(s) of workroom(s) were not maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition:      On or about June 20, 2016, in the warehouse area, employees were exposed to a slip hazard when walking and working in the area where the floor was not maintained in a dry condition.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,240 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(8): Every floor hole into which persons can accidentally walk were not guarded.    On or about June 20, 2016, and at times prior thereto, employees in the elevated area of the corn process room were exposed to trip and fall hazards while using a stair landing area with a hole in the steel grating floor, that had not been covered or guarded.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 19, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,920 Reduced

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) and toeboards.    On or about June 20, 2016, employees in the corn process room were exposed to fall hazards exceeding four feet while working at the edge of an open-sided floor without fall protection.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 19, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(e)(1): Standard railing(s) did not consist of top rail, intermediate rail and/or posts and/or did not have a vertical height of 42 inches (106.7 cm) nominal from upper surface of top rail to floor, platform runway, or ramp level.    On or about June 20, 2016, and at times prior thereto, employees in the corn process room were exposed to fall hazards exceeding four feet  while working at the edge of an open-sided floor provided with a railing that did not have a vertical height of 42 inches nominal.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,920 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(d)(1): Employee(s) were not able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge:    The following violations were observed on or about June 20, 2016.      a. In the Chip Fryer Room, where employees were exposed to an egress hazard when working in an area with a locked emergency exit door that required special knowledge to exit.        b. In the Warehouse Storage Area, east wall, where employees were exposed to an egress hazard when working in an area with a locked emergency exit door that required special knowledge to exit.        c. In the Product Storage Area, east wall, where employees were exposed to an egress hazard when working in an area with a locked emergency exit door that required special knowledge to exit.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(4): Signs were not posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge when the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge was not immediately apparent:    On or about June 20, 2016, in the Warehouse Area, where employees were exposed to a fire hazard when working in the area where an emergency exit sign was pointing in the wrong direction.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Nov 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,920 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1): The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative.    On or about June 20 and June 21, 2016, employees throughout the facility were exposed to struck-by, caught-in, thermal and electrical hazards when performing service or maintenance on corn and flour processing machines, tumbler and cooling conveyors, without an established energy control program.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,920 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:    The following violations were observed on or about June 20 and 21, 2016:       a. In the Corn Packing Room were employees were exposed to a caught-in hazard when collecting the corn tortillas at the exit of the cooling conveyor #6 without adequate guarding of the exit rollers.       b. In the Flour Packing Room were employees were exposed to a caught-in hazard when collecting the flour tortillas at the exit of the cooling conveyor #5 without adequate guarding of the exit rollers.      c. In the Flour Process Room where employees were exposed to a struck-by hazard when working around the Flour Dough Lifter without guarding.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,920 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Point(s) of operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s):    The following violations were observed on or about June 20, 2016.      a. In the corn packing room, where employees were exposed to struck-by and caught-in hazards when operating the Tumbler Machine without a point of operation guard.      b. In the corn packing room, where employees were exposed to struck-by and caught-in hazards when operating the Tortilla Chip Piston Cutter without a point of operation guard.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(5): Fan blade guard(s) were not provided where the periphery of the blades was less than seven feet from the floor or working level:    The following violations were observed on or about June 20, 2016:       a. In the Corn Packing Room were employees were exposed to a struck-by hazard when walking by and working near a large floor fan without a guard.       b. In the Corn Process Room, elevated area, were employees were exposed to a struck-by hazard when walking by and working near a wall fan without a guard.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,920 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(i): Unguarded projecting shaft end(s) did not present a smooth edge and end and projected more than one half the diameter of the shaft:    The following violations were observed on or about June 20 and 21, 2016:       a. In the Corn Process Room, elevated area, where employees were exposed to a caught-by hazard of a projecting shaft end when operating the mixer without guarding the shaft by a non-rotating cap or safety sleeve.       b. In the Flour Production Room were employees were exposed to a caught-by hazard of a projecting shaft end when operating the mixer #2 without guarding the shaft by a non-rotating cap or safety sleeve.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,920 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    On or about June 20, 2016, in the Corn Process Room, where employees were exposed to a caught-in hazard when working near and walking by machine #6 without a guard on the pulley.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i): Horizontal belts which had both runs seven feet or less from the floor level were not guarded with a guard that extended to at least fifteen inches above the belt:    On or about June 20, 2016, in the Corn Process Room, where employees were exposed to a caught-by hazard when working near and walking by machine #6 without a guard on the belt.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Sep 2, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,920 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven -7 feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed.    On or about June 21, 2016, and at times prior thereto;      a. An employee in the flour process room was exposed to caught-by hazards when working and walking near the motor driven chain and sprocket of the flour processing machine # 1 without a guard enclosing the chain and sprocket.      b. An employee in the flour process room was exposed to caught-by hazards when working and walking near the motor driven chain and sprocket of the flour processing machine # 4 without a guard enclosing the chain and sprocket.      c. An employee in the corn process room was exposed to caught-by hazards when working and walking near the motor driven chain and sprocket on the corn processing machine # 4 without a guard enclosing the chain and sprocket.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i..    On or about June 20, 2016, and at times prior thereto, employees in the corn process room were exposed to struck-by hazards while blowing off equipment with compressed air without reducing the pressure to less than 30 p.s.i.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:    The following violations were observed on or about June 20, 2016:       a. In the Corn Packing Room where employees were exposed to an electrical hazard when utilizing and working around an electrical quad box without it being installed and used in accordance with instructions included in the listing and labeling.       b. In the Ingredient Room, where employees were exposed to an electrical hazard when utilizing and working around an electrical single outlet box without it being installed and used in accordance with instructions included in the listing and labeling.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,920 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i): Live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more were not guarded against accidental contact by approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures, or other means listed under this provision.    On or about June 20, 2016, and at times prior thereto;      a. In the warehouse, behind the corrosive chemicals, where employees were exposed to electrical hazards while working near an unguarded live electrical parts.      b. In the elevated area of the corn process room, where employees were exposed to electrical hazards while working near an unguarded live bare conductor wires.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(f)(1)(iv): Overcurrent devices for circuits rated 600 volts, nominal, or less, were not readily accessible to each employee or authorized building management personnel:    The following violations were observed on or about June 20, 2016:       a. In the Corn Packing Room above cooling conveyor #4, employees were exposed to electrical, struck by and caught hazards when working at cooling conveyor #4, where the disconnect switch was not accessible for ready and safe operation.       b. In the Corm Packing Room, near the Tumbler machine, employees were exposed to electrical, caught in and struck by hazards when working on the Tumbler, where the disconnect switch and breaker panel were not accessible for ready and safe operation.      c. In the Warehouse area, employees were exposed to electrical, caught in or struck by hazards where the electrical disconnect and breaker panel for outlets and lighting were not accessible for ready and safe operation.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,920 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:    On or about June 20, 2016, in the Chip Frying Area, employees were exposed to electrical hazards when operating breakers in a circuit breaker panel where unused openings were not effectively closed.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,920 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(d)(2): Panelboards were not mounted in cabinets, cutout boxes, or enclosures designed for the purpose and/or were not dead front:    On or about June 20, 2016, in the silo area where employees were exposed to electrical hazards when working in and walking through the silo area around the Number One panel without the panel having a dead front.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,920 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(ii): Flexible cords were not used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap:     The following violations were observed on or about June 20, 2016:       a. In the Corn Process Room were employees were exposed to an electrical hazard when operating the Machine #6 with a spliced flexible cord without the cord being of continuous length without approved splice or tap.       b. In the Corn Process Room, elevated area, were employees were exposed to an electrical hazard when walking by and working near a wall fan with a spliced electrical cord without the cord being of continuous length without approved splice or tap.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,920 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(ii): There was a defect or evidence of damage that could have exposes an employee to injury and the defective or damaged item was not removed from service and an employee was using it before repairs and tests necessary to render the equipment safe were made.    On or about June 20, 2016      a. Employees in the corn packing room were exposed to electrical hazards while operating a fan that had a damaged cord, and the fan was not removed from service.      b. Employees in the ingredient room were exposed to electrical hazards while operating a scale that had a damaged cord and the scale had not been removed from service.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.32(a)(2): The employer did not create an annual summary of injuries and illnesses recorded on the OSHA 300 log.    This violation occurred on or about June 20, 2016, where the employer had more than 10 employees but did not create an annual summary of injuries and illnesses.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Sep 2, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(i): Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxillary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings were not effectively closed to afford protection substanially equivalent to the wall of the equipment:    On or about June 20, 2016, and at times prior thereto;      a. In the corn packing area, where employees were operating the tumbler electrical switch box without all unused openings being effectively closed.      b. In the corn packing area, where employees were operating the electrical control box of the corn cooling conveyor # 6 without all unused openings being effectively closed.      c. In the corn packing area, where employees were operating the electrical control box of the corn cooling conveyor # 5 without all unused openings being effectively closed.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Sep 2, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(a)(2)(x): Flexible cords and cables were not protected from accidental damage, as might be caused, for example, by sharp corners, projections, and doorways or other pinch points:    On or about June 20, 2016, in the corn process room an extension cord was in use without being protected from accidental damage or pinch points.

Issued

Aug 1, 2016

Abate by

Sep 2, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): Pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers approved for the purpose.     On or about June 20, 2016, and at times prior thereto.       a. In the corn packing area, on the east wall, where employees were working near an electrical junction box without a cover.       b. In the warehouse, behind the corrosive chemicals, where employees were working near an outlet without a cover.       c. In the forklift charging station area, where employees were working near an electrical junction box without a cover.