OSHA Inspection: ICCO CHEESE COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Jun 24, 2019

Abate by

Jul 2, 2019

Penalty

Initial $6,630 · Current $3,315 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 was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to struck-by hazards:     a) On Line 3 Ribbon Blender:  A U-bolt clip placed on a wire rope connected to a hoist used to lift a 273-lb. lid covering a hopper had the saddle on the dead-end side of the wire rope.  Condition noted on 01/29/19.      IN ADDITION TO ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION, THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS ITEM.  FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1,000.00 AS PER 29 CFR 1903.

Issued

Jun 24, 2019

Abate by

Jul 5, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,956 · Current $6,685 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that was 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level was protected from falling by one or more of the following:  Guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems:    Employees who worked from elevated platforms were not protected from falling by guardrail systems, safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems.  They were exposed to fall hazards as follows:     a) Line 7 Ribbon Blender: 4.67 ft.; Condition noted on 01/15/19.       b) Line 1 Ribbon Blender: 6 ft.;  Condition noted on 01/15/19.      c) Line 2 Ribbon Blender: 5 ft.;  Condition noted on 01/15/19.      d) Line 3 Ribbon Blender: 5 ft.;  Condition noted on 01/15/19.      e) Line 5 Ribbon Blender: 5 ft.;  Condition noted on 01/15/19.      IN ADDITION TO ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION, THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS ITEM.  FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1,000.00 AS PER 29 CFR 1903.

Issued

Jun 24, 2019

Abate by

Jul 12, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $7,886 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:    At facility:    The employer did not utilize procedures to control employee exposures to potentially hazardous energy when they (1) lift the lid of a ribbon blender to add ingredients, inspect the consistency of the mix, and, when needed, use a brush to reach into the hopper to stir/clear/dislodge products being blended and clean the inside walls/edges or (2) clean the hopper (all interior parts, including the blades) of a ribbon blender at the end of the work day or after a change in batches (e.g., when switching from regular breadcrumbs to Italian seasoned breadcrumbs); Condition was noted on 01/15/19.    Instances:    a) Line 7 Ribbon Blender;    b) Line 1 Ribbon Blender;    c) Line 2 Ribbon Blender;    d) Line 3 Ribbon Blender; &    e) Line 5 Ribbon Blender.      IN ADDITION TO ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION, THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS ITEM.  FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1,000.00 AS PER 29 CFR 1903.

Issued

Jun 24, 2019

Abate by

Jul 12, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): The employer had no procedure that clearly and specifically outlined the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, the following:  (A)  A specific statement of the intended use of the procedure; (B)  Specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy; (C)  Specific procedural steps for the placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices or tagout devices and the responsibility for them; and (D)  Specific requirements for testing a machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy control measures.   At the facility:  Employees were exposed to potentially hazardous energy when they (1) lift the lid of a ribbon blender to add ingredients, inspect the consistency of the mix, and, when needed, use a brush to reach into the hopper to stir/clear/dislodge products being blended and clean the inside walls/edges or (2) clean the hopper (all interior parts, including the blades) of a ribbon blender at the end of the work day or after a change in batches (e.g., when switching from regular breadcrumbs to Italian seasoned breadcrumbs).  The employer had a general procedure that lacked the specificity required by this section; Condition was noted on 01/15/19.   Instances:  a) Line 7 Ribbon Blender;  b) Line 1 Ribbon Blender;  c) Line 2 Ribbon Blender;  d) Line 3 Ribbon Blender; &  e) Line 5 Ribbon Blender.   IN ADDITION TO ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION, THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS ITEM.  FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1,000.00 AS PER 29 CFR 1903.

Issued

Jun 24, 2019

Abate by

Jul 5, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $6,978 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): Machine guarding was not provided to protect operator(s) and other employees from hazards created by in-going nip points, rotating parts, and/or flying chips and sparks: Examples of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc.      At the facility:    While a ribbon blender was in operation, employees were required to lift the lid to add ingredients, inspect the consistency of the mix, and, when needed, use a brush to reach into the hopper to stir/clear/dislodge products being blended and clean the inside walls/edges.  The opening of the ribbon blender was not guarded to protect operators from becoming entangled in or being struck by internal moving parts;  Condition was noted on 01/15/19.      Instances:    a) Line 7 Ribbon Blender;    b) Line 1 Ribbon Blender;    c) Line 2 Ribbon Blender;    d) Line 3 Ribbon Blender; &    e) Line 5 Ribbon Blender.      IN ADDITION TO ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION, THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS ITEM.  FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1,000.00 AS PER 29 CFR 1903.