OSHA Inspection: HOWARD FERTILIZER & CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Sep 10, 2020

Abate by

Oct 12, 2020

Penalty

Initial $4,048 · Current $2,429 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.9(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:      a.) On or about 6/8/2020, at 7205 S.R. 50 EAST, Groveland, FL 34736, the employer did not have a continuing hearing conservation program available at the plant for employees who may be exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels or greater, exposing them to noise related hazards such as hearing loss.

Issued

Sep 10, 2020

Abate by

Oct 12, 2020

Penalty

Initial $4,048 · Current $2,429 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. The employer may discontinue an employee's medical evaluations when the employee is no longer required to use a respirator.    a.) On or about 6/8/2020 at 7205 S.R. 50 EAST, Groveland, FL 34736, the employer did not provide a medical evaluation to employees who are required to use a respirator when working with chemicals such as herbicides, insecticides and pesticides.

Issued

Sep 10, 2020

Abate by

Oct 12, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator were not annually fit tested:(a)     a.) On or about 6/8/2020, at 7205 S.R. 50 East, Groveland, FL, 34736, the employer did not fit test employees who wear respirators annually.

Issued

Sep 10, 2020

Abate by

Oct 12, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k): The employer did not provide comprehensive, understandable training which did not occur annually and/or more often if necessary:      a.) On or about 6/8/2020, at 7205 S.R. 50 EAST, Groveland, FL 34736, the employer failed to provide respiratory protection training to employees working with chemicals and fertilizers throughout the plant as well as to those working in the chemical area.

Issued

Sep 10, 2020

Abate by

Oct 12, 2020

Penalty

Initial $8,096 · Current $4,858 Reduced

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:      a.) On or about 6/8/2020, at 7205 S.R. 50 EAST, Groveland, FL 34736, the employer failed to provide hazard communication training for hazardous chemicals such as insecticides, herbicides and pesticides used by employees working in the Combo Area of the plant, exposing them to chemical hazards.

Issued

Sep 10, 2020

Abate by

Oct 12, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify, through a written certification, the identity of the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation had been performed, and the date the hazard assessment was done:      a.) On or about June 8, 2020, at 7205 S.R. 50 EAST, Groveland, FL 34736, the employer did not provide a written certification for a hazard assessment that was conducted throughout the plant.

Issued

Sep 10, 2020

Abate by

Oct 12, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(a)(3)(i): Places of employment were not kept clean to the extent that the nature of the work allowed      a.) On or about June 10, 2020, 7205 S.R. 50 EAST, Groveland, FL 34736,  the employer did not ensure the restrooms in the Old Mill and throughout the plant buildings were kept clean, exposing employees to unsanitary conditions.