OSHA Inspection: YUMA ETHANOL, LLC

Issued

Jul 13, 2018

Abate by

Aug 29, 2018

Penalty

Initial $6,467 · Current $3,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(4)(i): Inspections and tests were not performed on process equipment:    a)       Yuma Ethanol, LLC at 38480 CR H, Yuma, CO, 80759: On or about 1/30/2018 the employer did not perform inspections and tests on process equipment. Where PSM is applicable, the employer must ensure that process equipment is inspected and tested per Recognized and Generally Accepted Good Engineering Practices (RAGAGEP). A system utilizing approximately 18,000 gallons (95,026 pounds) of anhydrous ammonia was used to alter the pH of corn slurry within a process tank inside of the production building. The process tank was not inspected and tested at a frequency set forth by RAGAGEP. This condition exposed employees to chemical and burn hazards.

Issued

Jul 13, 2018

Abate by

Oct 12, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(5): Equipment deficiencies. The employer did not correct deficiencies in equipment that were outside acceptable limits (defined by the process safety information in paragraph (d) of this section) before further use or in a safe and timely manner when necessary means were taken to assure safe operation:  (a)   Yuma Ethanol, LLC at 38480 CR H, Yuma, CO, 80759: On or about 1/30/2018 the employer did not correct deficiencies in equipment that were outside acceptable limits before further use or in a safe and timely manner. Where PSM is applicable, the employer must ensure that process equipment is inspected and tested per Recognized and Generally Accepted Good Engineering Practices (RAGAGEP). After process equipment is inspected and tested, the employer must ensure that deficiencies in equipment that were outside acceptable limits are corrected before further use or in a safe and timely manner. A system utilizing approximately 18,000 gallons (95,026 pounds) of anhydrous ammonia was used to alter the pH of corn slurry within a process tank inside of the production building. A process tank holding corn slurry was identified as having deficient insulation in a mechanical integrity report conducted in 2012. The employer had still not adequately corrected the deficiencies during the time of the inspection in 2018. This condition exposed employees to chemical and burn hazards.

Issued

Jul 13, 2018

Abate by

Aug 29, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(b)(3)(i): The employer did not ensure that labels on incoming containers of hazardous chemicals are not removed or defaced:  a)       Yuma Ethanol, LLC at 38480 CR H, Yuma, CO, 80759: On or about 1/30/2018 the employer did not ensure that labels on incoming containers of hazardous chemicals were not removed or defaced. On 1/30/2018, a 1249 liter capacity container full of 10% sodium hypochlorite was observed in the chemical storage area with a torn label. Employees use the sodium hypochlorite in sanitizing and other operations at an ethanol production facility. This condition exposed employees to chemical hazards.