OSHA Inspection: HELENA CHEMICAL COMPANY INC

Issued

Jul 31, 2018

Abate by

Aug 28, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,543 · Current $3,326 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(f)(3): The employer did not certify annually that the operating procedures were current and accurate.    The employer did not ensure that the operating procedures for the ammonium poly phosphate Fertilizer Blending operation were certified annually. The operating procedures for Railcar Storage and Fertilizer Blending had not been certified since October 13, 2014.

Issued

Jul 31, 2018

Abate by

Aug 28, 2018

Penalty

Initial $9,239 · Current $5,543 Reduced

General-duty citation text

1910.119(g)(2) The employer did not provide refresher training at least every three years, and more often if necessary, to each employee involved in operating a process to assure that the employee understands and adheres to the current operating procedures of the process:    The employer did not provide an employee involved in operating a process with refresher training at least every three years to assure that the employee understands and adheres to the current operating procedures of the process. The process operator who is responsible for inspecting the ammonia rail cars, documenting that the railcar is safe, has not received refresher training in the last three years.

Issued

Jul 31, 2018

Abate by

Aug 28, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,543 · Current $3,326 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(4)(iv): The employer did not document each inspection and test that has been performed on process equipment. The documentation did not identify the date of the inspection or test, the name of the person who performed the inspection or test, the serial number or other identifier of the equipment on which the inspection or test was performed, a description of the inspection or test performed, and the results of the inspection or test.   a.     For the inspection and test performed on process equipment by the employer on March 5, 2018; the Railcar Audio/Visual /Olfactory Inspection form did not identify the name of the person who performed the inspection or test, the serial number or other identifier of the equipment on which the inspection or test was performed. b.     For the inspection and test performed on process equipment by the employer on March 5, 2018; the RMP Railcar Inspection Form did not identify the name of the person who performed the inspection or test, a description of the inspection or test performed, and the results of the inspection or test. c.     For the inspection and test performed on process equipment by the employer on March 6, 2018; the Railcar Equipment Inspection Checklist A-Railcar Receiving  inspection form did not identify the name of the person who performed the inspection or test and the serial number or other identifier of the equipment on which the inspection or test was performed. For the inspection and test performed on process equipment by the employer on March 6, 2018; the Railcar Equipment Inspection Checklist B-Railcar Release  inspection form did not identify the name of the person who performed the inspection or test and the serial number or other identifier of the equipment on which the inspection or test was performed.

Issued

Jul 31, 2018

Abate by

Aug 28, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,543 · Current $3,326 Reduced

General-duty citation text

1910.132(d)(2) The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.    The employers workplace written hazard assessment certification is erroneous as it does not include an assessment of the personal protective equipment to be used for employees potentially exposed to anhydrous ammonia.

Issued

Jul 31, 2018

Abate by

Aug 28, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,543 · Current $3,326 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1) The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace.    The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace. The process operator, who has been assigned a respirator, and is responsible for inspection of railcars containing ammonia and phosphoric acid, did not receive a medical evaluation.

Issued

Jul 31, 2018

Abate by

Aug 28, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,543 · Current $3,326 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2) The employer did not ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting face-piece respirator was fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator face-piece (size, style, model or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter.    The employer did not ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting face-piece respirator was fit tested at least annually.  The process operator who possesses a full-face respirator, and is responsible for inspection of railcars containing anhydrous ammonia and phosphoric acid, last received a respirator fit-test in 2013.

Issued

Jul 31, 2018

Abate by

Aug 28, 2018

Penalty

Initial $9,239 · Current $5,543 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): The employer did not provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new chemical hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area.   The employer did not ensure that employees were provided effective information and training on the hazardous chemicals in their work area; such as ammonia and phosphoric acid.

Issued

Jul 31, 2018

Abate by

Aug 28, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

1910.119(o)(3) The employer did not develop a report of the findings of the audit.   The employer failed to prepare a report of findings for the 2016 compliance audit.