OSHA Inspection: GRUMA CORPORATION

Issued

Oct 22, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,314 · Current $3,188 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:    Gruma Corporation, Pendergrass, GA - An employee spraying and removing a cleaning solution, Yellow Quorum LP, classified as corrosive, inside the A/C ductwork experienced a skin burn. Protective equipment for his body was not provided and required, on or about 7/29/19.

Issued

Oct 22, 2019

Abate by

Nov 18, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,084 · Current $4,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.    Gruma Corporation, Pendergrass, GA - Employees were pouring and spraying cleaning solutions, such as Yellow Quorum LP and SHC Extreme III, both classified as corrosive. Employees were provided regular safety glasses. The use of proper eye protection was not ensure, on or about 8/26/19.

Issued

Oct 22, 2019

Abate by

Feb 3, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,314 · Current $3,188 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 was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:    a) Gruma Corporation, Pendergrass, GA - In the sanitation department, an employee was provided with a full face respirator. The employee was not included in the respiratory protection program and a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator was not performed, on or about 8/26/19.    b) Gruma Corporation, Pendergrass, GA - In the sanitation department, employees were provided and required to use a disposable dust respirator during the cleaning of HVAC dust system. The employees were not included in the respiratory protection program and a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator was not performed, on or about 8/26/19.

Issued

Oct 22, 2019

Abate by

Feb 3, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(1): The employer did not ensure that employee(s) required to use a tight-fitting facepiece respirator passed the appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT):    a) Gruma Corporation, Pendergrass, GA - In the sanitation department, employees were provided and required to sue a disposable dust respirator during the cleaning of HVAC dust system. The employees were not included in the respiratory protection program and fit test was not conducted, on or about 8/26/19.    b) Gruma Corporation, Pendergrass, GA - In the sanitation department, an employee was provided with a full face respirator. The employee was not included in the respiratory protection program and fit test was not conducted, on or about 8/26/19

Issued

Oct 22, 2019

Abate by

Feb 3, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1): The employer did not provide respirator training that ensured that each employee could demonstrate knowledge of at least the following elements: why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator; what the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are; how to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions; how to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator; What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator, and how to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators:    a) Gruma Corporation, Pendergrass, GA - In the sanitation department, employees were provided and required to sue a disposable dust respirator during the cleaning of HVAC dust system. The employees were not included in the respiratory protection programraining and training was not provided as required by the standard, on or about 8/26/19.    b) Gruma Corporation, Pendergrass, GA - In the sanitation department, an employee was provided with a full face respirator. The employee was not included in the respiratory protection program and training was not provided as required by the standard, on or about 8/26/19.

Issued

Oct 22, 2019

Abate by

Dec 10, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,084 · Current $4,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:    a) Gruma Corporation, Pendergrass, GA - At the tortilla lines, employees were exposed to a pinch hazard from the elevator moving vertically and not guarded, on or about 8/26/19.    b) Gruma Corporation, Pendergrass, GA - At the retail tortilla line, employees were exposed to a pinch hazard from the moving belt carrying the tortillas and dropping them into the cups. Employees were reaching the area by hand to remove tortillas while the line was running, on or about 8/26/19.    c) Gruma Corporation, Pendergrass, GA - At the tortilla lines, employees were exposed to a pinch hazard at the counter stacker, between the cups and the forks. Employees were reaching the area by hand to remove tortillas while the line was running, on or about 8/26/19.

Issued

Oct 22, 2019

Abate by

Nov 18, 2019

Penalty

Initial $1,772 · Current $1,122 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.29(b)(1): A Log of all recordable work-related injuries and illnesses (OSHA Form 300 or equivalent), was not completed in the detail as required by the regulation.    a) Gruma Corporation, Pendergrass, GA - On or about 7/29/19, an employee experienced a burn to the right shoulder and elbow. A check on columns (H) through (J) was not entered.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).    b) Gruma Corporation, Pendergrass, GA - On or about 7/30/19, an employee experienced a laceration to the index finger and hand. A check on columns (H) through (J) was not entered.    c) Gruma Corporation, Pendergrass, GA - On or about 8/12/19, an employee experienced a puncture wound to the forearm. A check on columns (H) through (J) was not entered.    d) Gruma Corporation, Pendergrass, GA - On or about 8/16/19, an employee experienced pain on his wrist while operating the pallet jack. A check on columns (H) through (J) was not entered.    No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.