OSHA Inspection: SANDERSON FARMS, INC.

Issued

Jun 16, 2017

Abate by

Jul 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(d)(3)(ii): The employer did not document that equipment complies with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices.        a)  On or about January 11, 2017, the employer did not document compliance with its chosen recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP), ANSI/ASHRAE-15 2004, Section 8.11.2.1, as the refrigeration machinery room did not contain ammonia detectors.  This condition exposed employees to inhalation of ammonia vapors.      b)  On or about January 11, 2017, the employer did not document compliance with its chosen recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP), ANSI/ASHRAE-15 2004, Section 8.12(h), as the design of the non-Class 1, Division 2 refrigeration engine room ventilation system did not provide for the actuation of an alarm when the continuously run ventilation system fails.  This condition exposed employees to inhalation of ammonia vapors.      c)  On or about January 11, 2017, the employer did not document compliance with its chosen recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP), ANSI/IIAR-2 1999, Section A.3.8 when it did not clearly identify three switches of the break glass type at the entrances to the engine room.  This condition exposed employees to inhalation of ammonia vapors.        d)  On or about January 11, 2017, the employer did not document compliance with its chosen recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP), ANSI/ASHRAE-15 2004, Section 8.11.2 and ANSI IIAR-2 1999, Section 6.3.1.5 when the engine room was not constructed with tight-sealing doors.  This condition exposed employees to inhalation of ammonia vapors.         e)  On or about January 11, 2017, the employer did not document compliance with its chosen recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP), ANSI/ASHRAE-15 2004, Section 8.11.2 and ANSI IIAR-2 1999, Section 6.3.1.5 when the engine room was not provided with outward opening doors.  This condition exposed employees to inhalation of ammonia vapors.

Issued

Jun 16, 2017

Abate by

Jul 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(d)(3)(i)(B): The employer's piping and instrument diagrams were not accurate and did not represent equipment that was existing and was part of the process.    On or about January 11, 2017, the employer failed to ensure that the P&IDs were accurate and reflected the current process in that the P&ID-9 for the HTRL liquid line out and the HPL liquid line out does not show where it comes in from and where it goes out to.

Issued

Jun 16, 2017

Abate by

Jul 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(d)(3)(i)(E): Information pertaining to the equipment in the process did not include a ventilation system design.   On or about January 11, 2017, the employer failed to provide and maintain an accurate and updated compilation of the ventilation design and design basis for the ammonia refrigeration engine room.

Issued

Jun 16, 2017

Abate by

Jul 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(f)(3): The employer did not certify that operating procedures were current and accurate.   On or about January 11, 2017, the employer failed to ensure that the procedures for draining oil pots were reviewed to reflect current operation practices.  This condition exposes workers to inhalation hazards from a potential release of toxic ammonia vapors.

Issued

Jun 16, 2017

Abate by

Jul 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $7,243 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(o)(4): The employer did not promptly determine and document an appropriate response to each of the findings of the compliance audit, and document that deficiencies have been corrected:   On or about January 11, 2017, the employer did not ensure that an appropriate response was determined and documented for each of the findings contained in the 2016 PSM compliance audit for ammonia charging where employees were exposed to the inhalation hazards of ammonia.