OSHA Inspection: GIROUX ORCHARD LLC

Issued

Feb 15, 2017

Abate by

Mar 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,070 · Current $3,347 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 inhalation and burn hazards resulting from an uncontrolled release of anhydrous ammonia.    (a) Anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system, on or prior to 10/31/2016:  The refrigeration system was not adequately designed, installed, and maintained to protect employees from an uncontrolled release of anhydrous ammonia, in that:      Engine/machinery rooms were not segregated from the rest of the plant with access restricted to authorized personnel.  (see for example: ASHRAE 15 2010, section 8.11.2 and 8.11.8).      The front engine/machinery room was not equipped with a remote controlled solenoid valve which allowed the king valve to be closed from outside the machine room (see for example:  IIAR-2 bulletin 109).       1/2 inch refrigerant lines for overhead evaporator unit(s) in cold storage room no. 2 were not protected from damage see for example:  IIAR-2 2008 section 10.2.3.      An eyewash and body shower was not located external to the front and back machinery room(s) (see for example: IIAR-2 2008 13.3.1.4)

Issued

Feb 15, 2017

Abate by

Mar 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,387 · Current $3,347 Reduced

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:      (a) Main plant, all work areas:  On or prior to 10/31/16, the emergency response plan did not address actions that would be taken by plant personnel to isolate or control an anhydrous ammonia leak.   In addition, the EAP did not account for wind direction, which could affect safe evacuation of personnel in the event of a large ammonia release.

Issued

Feb 15, 2017

Abate by

Mar 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,070 · Current $3,347 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE):    (a) At the worksite:  On or prior to 10/31/16, the employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present during job tasks including but not limited to:  forklift operations and routine maintenance, including battery charging which may require the use of hand protection and eye/face protection from skin and eye contact with battery electrolyte.    (b)  At the worksite:  On or prior to 10/31/16, the employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present during job tasks including but not limited to  operation and maintenance of the anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system, including oil draining and response to leaks.  These job tasks may require the use of personal protective equipment such as hand protection, eye/face protection, and respiratory protection from skin, eye, and respiratory contact with liquid ammonia or ammonia vapor.

Issued

Feb 15, 2017

Abate by

Mar 8, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): Protective eye equipment was not required where there was a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented by such equipment:  (a) Forklift battery charging area(s):   On or prior to 10/31/16, the employer did not require the use of protective eyewear during forklift battery charging/maintenance.  (b)  While working on the ammonia refrigeration system:   The employer did not require the use of protective eyewear during the operation and maintenance of the anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system, including oil draining and response to leaks, to prevent eye injury from contact with liquid ammonia.

Issued

Feb 15, 2017

Abate by

Mar 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) During maintenance and operation of the ammonia refrigeration system:  On or prior to 10/31/16, the employer did not establish a respiratory protection program where employees were required to use respirators for job tasks including but not limited to operation and maintenance of the anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system, including oil draining and response to leaks.  These job tasks may require the use of a respiratory for protection from ammonia vapor.

Issued

Feb 15, 2017

Abate by

Apr 15, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(i): Selection of appropriate respirators was not based on the respiratory hazard(s) to which the worker was exposed and user factors that affect respirator performance and reliability:(a) (LOCATION) (IDENTIFY SPECIFIC OPERATION/ CONDITION) (DESCRIBE HAZARD)    (a) During maintenance and operation of the ammonia refrigeration system:  On or prior to 10/31/16, the employer did not select respiratory protection for use where employees were required to use respirators for job tasks associated with operation and maintenance of the anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system, such as oil draining and response to leaks.  These job tasks may require the use of a respiratory for protection from ammonia vapor.

Issued

Feb 15, 2017

Abate by

Mar 8, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,070 · Current $3,347 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:    (a) Machinery rooms and forklift battery charging area(s):   On or prior to 10/31/16, machinery room(s) and forklift battery charging area(s) were not equipped with emergency eyewash unit(s) for flushing of the eyes in the event of eye contact with anhydrous ammonia or battery electrolyte.