OSHA Inspection: VALLEY SERVICES, INC

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Oct 30, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,577 · Current $5,304 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(11)(ii): Each flight of stairs having at least 3 treads and at least 4 risers was not equipped with stair rail systems and handrails as required in Table D-2 of this standard:  Valley Services, Inc., Cornelia, GA - On or about July 10, 2019, the stair leading to the basement was missing a mid-rail exposing employees to a fall of approximately 95 inches.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Oct 30, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,683 · Current $3,978 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:  Valley Services, Inc., Cornelia, GA - On or about July 10, 2019, the door in the basement marked as an exit was locked with a cross bar and not free and unobstructed.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Oct 30, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,577 · Current $5,304 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): Protective eye equipment was not required where there was a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented by such equipment:  Valley Services, Inc., Cornelia, GA - On or about July 10, 2019, employees were required to use and manually handle chemicals, such as but Sysco Classic Germicidal Ultra Bleach, containing sodium hypochlorite, Oasis 115 XP and Professional Easy-Off, containing sodium hydroxide. All of these products were classified as corrosive. The use of proper eye protection was not ensure.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Oct 30, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,577 · Current $5,304 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:  Valley Services, Inc., Cornelia, GA - On or about July 10, 2019, employees were required to use and manually handle chemicals, such as but Sysco Classic Germicidal Ultra Bleach, containing sodium hypochlorite, Oasis 115 XP and Professional Easy-Off, containing sodium hydroxide. All of these products were classified as corrosive.  An emergency eye wash station was not provided in the event of the exposure to eyes.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Oct 30, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,577 · Current $5,304 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(b)(1): A written emergency evacuation plan, meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.38, was not developed and implemented  where the employer elected to evacuate employees upon sounding of the a fire alarm:  Valley Services, Inc., Cornelia, GA - On or about July 10, 2019, employees cooking, preparing food and delivering food were expected to evacuate the building in the event of a fire. An emergency action plan was not implemented.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Oct 30, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,683 · Current $3,978 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(ii): The required working space about electric equipment rated 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, was used for storage:(a) (LOCATION) (IDENTIFY EQUIPMENT AND CONDITION(S)) (STATE HAZARD(S) TO EMPLOYEE(S))  Valley Services, Inc., Cornelia, GA - On or about July 10, 2019, the space in front of the two electrical panels next to the ovens was used to store large cans of food and boxes.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Oct 30, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,683 · Current $3,978 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(c)(4): Snap switches mounted in boxes did not have faceplates installed so as to completely cover the opening and seat against the finished surface.  Valley Services, Inc., Cornelia, GA - On or about July 10, 2019, one of the electrical outlets used to plug in the kettles was missing the faceplates exposing employees to electrical shocks..

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,472 · Current $6,630 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0560C730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(a)(2): Employee(s) were exposed to an airborne concentration of carbon monoxide listed in Table Z-1 in excess of the 8 hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) concentration of 50 parts per million (ppm):  a) Valley Services, Inc., Cornelia, GA - On or about July 5, 2019, an employee cooking on a gas powered kettle was exposed to carbon monoxide at a TWA of 196.9 ppm, 3.9 times the PEL of 50 ppm. The exposure was derived from the percent carboxyhemoglobin (%COHb) in the employee's blood that reached a calculated peak level of 44.3% during a 120 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 787.5 ppm CO level (SAE =0.169). Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account.    b) Valley Services, Inc., Cornelia, GA - On or about July 5, 2019, an employee assisting in the kitchen while food was cooking on a gas powered kettle was exposed to carbon monoxide at a TWA of 123.1 ppm, 2.46 times the PEL of 50 ppm. The exposure was derived from the percent carboxyhemoglobin (%COHb) in the employee's blood that reached a calculated peak level of 39.4% during a 90 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 656.6 ppm CO level (SAE =0.169). Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account.   c) Valley Services, Inc., Cornelia, GA - On or about July 5, 2019, an employee assisting in the kitchen while food was cooking on a gas powered kettle was exposed to carbon monoxide at a TWA of 118.8 ppm, 2.38 times the PEL of 50 ppm. The exposure was derived from the percent carboxyhemoglobin (%COHb) in the employee's blood that reached a calculated peak level of 32% during a 90 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 633.5 ppm CO level (SAE =0.169). Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0560C730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(e): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not determined and implemented to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d):  a) Valley Services, Inc., Cornelia, GA - On or about July 5, 2019, an employee cooking on a gas powered kettle was exposed to carbon monoxide at a TWA of 196.9 ppm, 3.9 times the PEL of 50 ppm. The exposure was derived from the percent carboxyhemoglobin (%COHb) in the employee's blood that reached a calculated peak level of 44.3% during a 120 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 787.5 ppm CO level (SAE =0.169). Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. Effective administrative and engineering controls were not in place.  b) Valley Services, Inc., Cornelia, GA - On or about July 5, 2019, an employee assisting in the kitchen while food was cooking on a gas powered kettle was exposed to carbon monoxide at a TWA of 123.1 ppm, 2.46 times the PEL of 50 ppm. The exposure was derived from the percent carboxyhemoglobin (%COHb) in the employee's blood that reached a calculated peak level of 39.4% during a 90 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 656.6 ppm CO level (SAE =0.169). Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. Effective administrative and engineering controls were not in place.  c) Valley Services, Inc., Cornelia, GA - On or about July 5, 2019, an employee assisting in the kitchen while food was cooking on a gas powered kettle was exposed to carbon monoxide at a TWA of 118.8 ppm, 2.38 times the PEL of 50 ppm. The exposure was derived from the percent carboxyhemoglobin (%COHb) in the employee's blood that reached a calculated peak level of 32% during a 90 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 633.5 ppm CO level (SAE =0.169). Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. Effective administrative and engineering controls were not in place.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Oct 30, 2019

Penalty

Initial $13,260 · Current $9,220 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8): The employer did not ensure that material safety data sheets were readily accessible to the employees in their work area during each work shift:    Valley Services, Inc., Cornelia, GA - On or about July 10, 2019, employees cooking, preparing food and delivering food were exposed to hazardous chemicals, such as but not limited to, Sysco Classic Germicidal Ultra Bleach, containing sodium hypochlorite, Professional Easy-Off, containing sodium hydroxide and natural gas that exposed employees to carbon monoxide due to incomplete combustion. Safety data sheets were not available for employees review.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Oct 30, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  Valley Services, Inc., Cornelia, GA - On or about July 10, 2019, employees cooking, preparing food and delivering food were exposed to hazardous chemicals, such as but not limited to, Sysco Classic Germicidal Ultra Bleach, containing sodium hypochlorite, Professional Easy-Off, containing sodium hydroxide and natural gas that exposed employees to carbon monoxide due to incomplete combustion. Information and training as required by the hazard communication standard was not provided.