OSHA Inspection: SEATTLE FISH COMPANY

Issued

Sep 18, 2018

Abate by

Oct 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $4,240 · Current $2,500 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 physical and respiratory hazards associated with ammonia:    a)  Seattle Fish Company, 6211 East 42nd Avenue, Denver, CO  80216:  On and before April 11, 2018,  Seattle Fish Company 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 physical and respiratory hazards associated with ammonia.  The employer utilized an ammonia refrigeration system containing 2,000 pounds of ammonia.  The employer did not address the deteriorating condition of the compressors, including the main drives and gaskets, and of the associated piping and equipment.  On April 10, 2018, ammonia was released into the mechanical room when a gasket failed on Compressor #2.  This condition exposed employees to an ammonia hazard.    Among other feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard is to follow the recommendations of recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices, including the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) Bulletin 110 "Guidelines for Start-up, Inspection and Maintenance of Ammonia Mechanical Refrigerating Systems."  Section 6.3 provides direction for inspections and maintenance of compressors.

Issued

Sep 18, 2018

Abate by

Oct 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $4,240 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed:    a)  Seattle Fish Company, 6211 East 42nd Avenue, Denver, CO  80216:  On and before April 11, 2018, the employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed.  The employer operated machines subject to lockout tagout including, but not limited to, the compactor, tray packs, and forklifts.  This condition exposed employees to the hazard of being struck by equipment, and to electrical shock hazards.    Abatement note:  29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(ii) provides that the employer shall certify that the periodic inspections have been performed.

Issued

Sep 18, 2018

Abate by

Oct 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(2)(i): Whenever outside servicing personnel are to be engaged in activities covered by the scope and application of this standard, the on-site employer and the outside employer did not inform each other of their respective lockout or tagout procedures:  a)  Seattle Fish Company, 6211 East 42nd Avenue, Denver, CO  80216:  On and before April 11, 2018, the employer did not ensure that whenever Refrigeration Specialties are to be engaged in activities covered by the scope and application of this standard, Seattle Fish Company and Refrigeration Specialties did not inform each other of their respective lockout or tagout procedures such as compressor #2 in the engine room. This condition exposed employees to energy hazards.

Issued

Sep 18, 2018

Abate by

Oct 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(i): Flexible cords and cables were not approved for conditions of use and location:  a)  Seattle Fish Company, 6211 East 42nd Avenue, Denver, CO  80216:  On and before April 11, 2018, the employer did not ensure that the flexible cords and cables were approved for conditions of use and location.  The flexible cords running from the ceiling to the Tray Packing Machines included the use of a pendant spliced to a junction box, which was spliced to five separate flexible cords running to the Tray Pack Machines (All Packaging Machinery & Supplies Corp).  The junction box and the cables were not installed in accordance wit the manufacturer's directions and the National Electrical Code in that the installation served as a substitute for permanent wiring, and the white cords connecting to the junction box were not labelled as grounding conductors.  This condition exposed employees to electrical shock hazards.

Issued

Sep 18, 2018

Abate by

Oct 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords were not connected to devices and fittings so that tension would not be transmitted to joints or terminal screws:  a)  Seattle Fish Company, 6211 East 42nd Avenue, Denver, CO 80216:  The employer did not ensure that flexible cords running from the ceiling to the Tray Packing Machines (All Packaging Machinery & Supplies Corp), were connected to devices and fittings so that tension would not be transmitted to joints or terminal screws.  The employer did not provide strain relief near the ceiling, at the connections of the white cords, and at the connections of the cords to the machines.  The outer insulation was pulled away from several of the plugs in use.  This condition exposed employees to electrical shock hazards.