OSHA Inspection: AMERICOLD LOGISTICS, LLC

Issued

Mar 7, 2017

Abate by

Mar 31, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(6)(ii): Appropriate checks and inspections were not performed to assure that equipment was installed properly and consistent with design specifications and the manufacturer's instructions:  On or about December 22, 2016, the employer did not conduct appropriate checks and inspections to assure 1/2 inch diameter high pressure ammonia lines that were installed between AU-13 Valve 2, AU-13 Valve 3 and AU-13 Valve 4, were installed properly and consistent with design specifications and the manufacturer's instructions which exposed employees to the hazard of a release of toxic ammonia vapors. These ammonia lines are installed on the roof near Air Unit 13.

Issued

Mar 7, 2017

Abate by

Mar 24, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(2): The employer did not implement written procedures to maintain the on-going integrity of process equipment:   On or about December 22, 2016:    a. The employer did not implement their written procedures relating to the on-going integrity of process equipment, when after a visual inspection determined that un-insulated piping between AU-5 Valve 5 and AU-5 Valve 6 was deficient (i.e., excessively corroded/deteriorated), the employer failed to further inspect the condition of the piping or replace the deficient pipes as their annual pipe and valve preventive maintenance procedures states. The continued operation of the deficient piping without further inspection and testing exposes employees to the release of toxic vapors.    b. The employer did not implement their written procedures relating to the on-going integrity of process equipment, when after a visual inspection determined that un-insulated pipes connected to AU-201 Valve 1, AU-201 Valve 17 and AU-201 Valve 14 were deficient (i.e., excessively corroded/deteriorated), the employer failed to further inspect the condition of the piping or replace the deficient pipes as their annual pipe and valve preventive maintenance procedures states. The continued operation of the deficient piping without further inspection and testing exposes employees to the release of toxic vapors.  c. The employer did not implement their written procedures relating to the on-going integrity of process equipment, when after a visual inspection determined that un-insulated pipes connected to AU-202 Valve 6, and AU-202 Valve 17 were deficient (i.e., excessively corroded/deteriorated), the employer failed to further inspect the condition of the piping or replace the deficient pipes as their annual pipe and valve preventive maintenance procedures states. The continued operation of the deficient piping without further inspection and testing exposes employees to the release of toxic vapors.

Issued

Mar 7, 2017

Abate by

Mar 31, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $0 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.  On or about December 22, 2016:    a. The employer did not follow recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP) such as IIAR 110, Section 6.7.1, when after a visual inspection determined that uninsulated piping between AU-5 Valve 5 and AU-5 Valve 6 was deficient (i.e., excessively corroded/deteriorated), the employer failed to further inspect the condition of the piping using techniques such as ultrasound to determine the piping's fitness-for-continued use.  The continued operation of the deficient piping without further inspection and testing exposes employees to the release of toxic vapors.  b. The employer did not follow recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP) such as IIAR 110, Section 6.7.1, when after a visual inspection determined that uninsulated pipes connected to AU-201 Valve 1, AU-201 Valve 17 and AU-201 Valve 14 were deficient (i.e., excessively corroded/deteriorated), the employer failed to further inspect the condition of the piping using techniques such as ultrasound to determine the pipings fitness-for-continued use.  The continued operation of the deficient piping without further inspection and testing exposes employees to the release of toxic vapors.     c. The employer did not follow recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP) such as IIAR 110, Section 6.7.1, when after a visual inspection determined that uninsulated pipes connected to AU-202 Valve 6, and AU-202 Valve 17 were deficient (i.e., excessively corroded/deteriorated), the employer failed to further inspect the condition of the piping using techniques such as ultrasound to determine the piping's fitness-for-continued use.  The continued operation of the deficient piping without further inspection and testing exposes employees to the release of toxic vapors.

Issued

Mar 7, 2017

Abate by

Mar 31, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(5): The employer did not correct deficiencies in equipment that were outside acceptable limits (defined by the process safety information on paragraph (d) of this section) in a safe and timely manner when necessary means where taken to assure safe operation.  On or about December 22, 2016:     a. The employer failed to take adequate measures to assure equipment (pipe between AU-5 Valve 5 and AU-5 Valve 6) was safe for continued operations after a contract inspector recommended the deficient equipment be replaced due to excessive corrosion/deterioration. This hazardous condition exposed employees to the release of toxic vapor.     b. The employer failed to take adequate measures to assure equipment (pipes connected to AU-201 Valve 1, AU-201 Valve 17 and AU-201 Valve 14) was safe for continued operations after a contract inspector recommended the deficient equipment be replaced due to excessive corrosion/deterioration. This hazardous condition exposed employees to the release of toxic vapor.    c. The employer failed to take adequate measures to assure equipment (pipes connected to AU-202 Valve 6, and AU-202 Valve 17) was safe for continued operations after a contract inspector recommended the deficient equipment be replaced due to excessive corrosion/deterioration. This hazardous condition exposed employees to the release of toxic vapor.      d. The employer failed to correct equipment (1/2 inch diameter high pressure ammonia lines connected to AU-13 Valve 2, AU-13 Valve 3 and AU-13 Valve 4 on the roof near Air Unit 13) deficiencies in a timely manner or assure safe operation when it continued to operate the high pressure ammonia piping that was undersized (based on IIAR 2 (2008), Section 10.2.3 which recommends not to use  ½ inch diameter ammonia piping), unsupported, and unprotected exposing employees to the release of toxic vapors.

Issued

Mar 7, 2017

Abate by

Mar 31, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(l)(1): The employer did not establish and implement written procedures to manage changes to process chemicals, technology, equipment, and procedures, and changes to facilities that affect a covered process:  On or about December 22, 2016 the employer did not establish and implement written procedures to manage the continued operation of equipment known to be deficient. Ammonia system equipment (pipes and piping components on the roof near Air Units 5, 201, 202) was known to be deficient in that it had corroded/deteriorated to the point that the equipment was recommended to be replaced. The employer elected to continue to operate the deficient equipment without establishing a management of change procedure to determine/evaluate if the deficient ammonia equipment was safe to operate until funding for equipment replacement could be obtained in the following budget year exposing employees to the hazard of a release of toxic vapors.