OSHA Inspection: NORTH EAST REFRIGERATED TERMINALS, INC.

Issued

2021-08-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-10-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9557.00 · Current $3735.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act:   The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to a potential catastrophic release of ammonia gas or liquid resulting in irritation, pulmonary edema, skin burns and frostbite from the deficient design and lack of maintenance of the ammonia refrigeration facility and equipment:   (a) Main King Valve - The hand operated Main King valve located above the receiver was not accessible for operation from the floor exposing employees to the risk of exposure to ammonia gas or liquid; (b)  Machinery Room - The machinery room had several holes and openings where cables, piping, and wiring ran through that were not sealed to prevent the transfer of liquid, moisture, air, or vapor exposing employees to the risk of exposure to ammonia gas or liquid; (c) Machinery Room - The machinery room did not contain an audio and visual alarm to warn that access to the room is restricted to authorized and emergency personnel.

Issued

2021-08-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-10-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5461.00 · Current $2135.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.36(d)(1):  Employee(s) were not able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge: (a) Maintenance Shop Near Engine Room:  Exit door 13 was locked with a chain and padlock from the outside preventing employees from opening from the inside.

Issued

2021-08-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-10-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5461.00 · Current $2135.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(b)(4): Signs were not posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge when the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge was not immediately apparent:  Throughout the facility where the direction of travel was not clear signs were not posted to indicate the nearest exit from the building.  This exposed employees to hazards associated with anhydrous ammonia, fire, and cold.

Issued

2021-08-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-10-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5461.00 · Current $2135.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(b)(5):Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit was not marked "Not an Exit" or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use (e.g. closet):  (a) Throughout the facility and freezers doors that were not an exit were not marked as not an exit.

Issued

2021-08-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-10-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9557.00 · Current $3735.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.38(d):The employer did not have and maintain an employee alarm system with a distinctive signal for each purpose that complied with the requirements in � 1910.165.  Facility:  The alarm system for reporting the release of  anhydrous ammonia was the same system for a fire.  They were not separate and distinct from one another.

Issued

2021-08-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-10-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.38(e):The employer did not designate and train employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of other employees:  Facility:  Throughout the facility the employer did not train employees in the safe and orderly evacuation of employees in the case of emergency to include the release of anhydrous ammonia.

Issued

2021-08-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-10-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.38(f)(1):The employer did not review the emergency action plan with each employee covered by the plan when the plan was developed or when the employee was initially assigned to a job:  Facility:  The employer failed to review and train employees on the emergency action plan upon plan development and assignment of employees.