OSHA Inspection: EMPIRE CHEESE INC.

Issued

Mar 1, 2017

Abate by

Jun 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $9,054 · Current $7,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(7)(iii): The employer did not document the basis for determining that all hazards in a permit space had been eliminated, through a written certification that contained the date, the location of the space, and the signature of the person making the determination:    a) On or about 12/01/2016 in the production area; where employees entered permit required confined spaces such as, but not limited to the DMC (draining matting conveyor), without isolating all potential hazards and without completing the required permits and documentation.    ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

Mar 1, 2017

Abate by

Jun 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(e)(1): Before entry was authorized, the employer did not document the completion of measures required by 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3) by preparing an entry permit:    a) On or about 12/01/2016 in the production areas; where entry was made regularly into permit required spaces such as, but not limited to the DMC (draining matting conveyor) and tanks/vats, the employer did not ensure that permits were completed for each and every entry.    ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

Mar 1, 2017

Abate by

Jun 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $10,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(g)(3): The employer did not provide training that established employee proficiency in the duties required by 29 CFR 1910.146, Permit-required confined spaces, and did not introduce new or revised procedures, as necessary, for compliance:    a) On or about 12/01/2016 in the production area; where employees regularly entered permit required confined spaces such as, but not limited to tanks/vats and the DMC (Draining Matting Conveyor), the employees were not proficient in the duties and requirements of the employer's confined space entry program including: completing of an entry permit, the use of atmospheric testing equipment and ensuring that rescue services were available prior to entry into the confined space.     ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

Mar 1, 2017

Abate by

Jun 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $10,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:     a) On or about 11/28/2016 at the DMC machine; where employees were exposed to pinch points and rotating equipment while cleaning cheese from the auger while cleaning the dicer, auger and scraper bar on the DMC (draining matting conveyor). The machine was not shut down isolated from energy sources and locked out during the cleaning.    ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED