OSHA Inspection: RESTAURANT DEPOT DISTRIBUTION CENTER #712

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Penalty

Initial $10,360 · Current $6,216 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i)(A): The employer did not ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level was protected from falling by a standard guardrail system.  On or about 6/03/2022, at the Restaurant Depot Distribution Center facility located in Houston Texas, the employer failed to provide a complete guardrail system on a walking-working surface at Northeast corner of evaporative condensers of Plant #1 exposing employees to fall hazards.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Abate by

Jan 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $8,701 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(iv): Each employee was not protected from falling into the ladderway platform hole at the entrance to the hole by a self-closing gate or offset.  Instance a.) On or about 6/03/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, on the platform of the evaporative condensers (EC-601 & EC-602) of the ammonia refrigeration system #1 (Plant #1), employees monitoring and/or checking the evaporative condensers were exposed to a fall hazard exceeding four feet where the ladderway platform hole was not equipped with a self-closing gate or an offset.  Instance b.) On or about 6/03/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, on the platform of the evaporative condenser (EC-601) of the ammonia refrigeration system #2 (Plant #2), employees monitoring and/or checking the evaporative condenser were exposed to a fall hazard exceeding four feet where the ladderway platform hole was not equipped with a self-closing gate or an offset.  Instance c.) On or about 6/02/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, on the platform of the top of control room of the ammonia refrigeration system #1 (Plant #1), employees monitoring and/or checking piping were exposed to a fall hazard exceeding four feet where the ladderway platform hole was not equipped with a self-closing gate or an offset.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Abate by

Jan 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,215 · Current $3,729 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.38(c)(2):The emergency action plan did not include procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments.  On or about 6/01/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, the employer did not update its emergency action plan to include exit route assignments and instructions to muster points for emergency evacuation.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Abate by

Jan 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.38(e): The employer did not train employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of other employees.  On or about 6/01/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees were exposed to hazards of fire or chemicals when the employer did not train all employees in safe and orderly evacuation during anhydrous ammonia leaks.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Abate by

Jan 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,215 · Current $3,729 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.39(b): A fire prevention plan was not in writing, kept in the workplace, and made available to employees for review.  On or about 6/02/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees were exposed to hazards of fire when the employer did not have a written fire prevention plan in the workplace.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Abate by

Apr 24, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $14,502

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(d): The employer did not complete a compilation of written process safety information pertaining to the equipment in the process that consisted of at least the information specified in sections (d)(1)(i) through (d)(3)(i)(H).  On or about 6/02/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees were exposed to chemicals release hazards when the employer did not complete a compilation of written process safety information including but not limited to:  a. The employer did not document a maximum intended inventory for ammonia refrigeration systems.  b. The employer did not document safe upper and lower limits for re-circulator RV-301 (P&ID RH-A-P-0528).  c. The employer did not document safe upper and lower limits for intercooler IC-301 (P&ID RH-A-P-0507).  d. The employer did not document safe upper and lower limits for liquid receiver RC-301 (P&ID RH-A-P-0506).  e. The employer did not document safe upper and lower limits for evaporative condenser EC-602 (P&ID RH-A-P-0505).  f. The employer did not document an electrical classification for ammonia refrigeration systems.  g. The employer did not document manufacturer's data reports for re-circulator RV-301 (P&ID RH-A-P-0528).  h. The employer did not document manufacturer's data reports for intercooler IC-301 (P&ID RH-A-P-0507).  i. The employer did not document manufacturer's data reports for liquid receiver RC-301 (P&ID RH-A-P-0506).  j. The employer did not document manufacturer's data reports for evaporative condenser EC-602 (P&ID RH-A-P-0505).  k. The employer did not document manufacturer's data reports for compressor SC-101 (P&ID RH-A-P-0501).  l. The employer did not document manufacturer's data reports for compressor CO-104 (P&ID RH-A-P-0503).  m. The employer did not document manufacturer's data reports for compressor CO-106 (P&ID RH-A-P-0504).  n. The employer did not document manufacturer's data reports for re-circulating pumps PU-701A/701B (P&ID RH-A-P-0528).  o. The employer did not accurately document piping and instrument diagrams (P&ID's) for plant #1.  p. The employer did not document relief system design and design basis for pressure relieve valves, PSV-10281 and PSV-1029, for Re-circulator RV-301 (P&ID RH-A-P-0528).  q. The employer did not document relief system design and design basis for pressure relieve valves, PSV-10251 and PSV-1042, for 6"-HSS-208 piping (P&ID RH-A-P-0528).  r. The employer did not document relief system design and design basis for pressure relieve valves, PSV-9471 and PSV-9481 for Intercooler IC-301 (P&ID RH-A-P-0507).  s. The employer did not document relief system design and design basis for pressure relieve valves, PSV-9381 and PSV-9391 for Liquid Receiver RC-301 (P&ID RH-A-P-0506).  t. The employer did not document relief system design and design basis for pressure relieve valves, PSV-9321 and PSV-10201 and PSV-10211/9331 for Evaporative Condenser EC-602 (P&ID RH-A-P-0505).  u. The employer did not document design codes and standards employed for process equipment.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Abate by

Feb 24, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $8,701 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(d)(3)(ii): The employer did not document that equipment complies with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP).   a) On or about 6/02/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees were exposed to ammonia chemical release hazards when the employer did not document that it complied with its chosen recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices, such as ANSI/ASHRAE-15 2015 (American Society of Heating Refrigeration Air-Conditioning and Engineering) section 8.11.2, when the west door of the machinery room #2 was not provided with opening in the direction of egress for occupants leaving the machinery room.    Instance b). On or about 6/02/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees were exposed to ammonia chemical release hazards when the employer did not document that it complied with its chosen recognized and generally accepted good engineering practice such as ANSI/ASHRAE -15 2013 Section 8.12(i), when a control switch for the ventilation fan was not installed immediately outside the machinery room doors for machinery room #1 &#2.   Instance c). On or about 6/02/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees were exposed to ammonia chemical release hazards when the employer did not document that it complied with its chosen recognized and generally accepted good engineering practice such as ANSI/ASHRAE -15 2013 Section 8.11.2, where the entrance door of the machinery room #1 was not completely sealed.   Instance d). On or about 6/02/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees were exposed to ammonia chemical release hazards when the employer did not document that it complied with its chosen recognized and generally accepted good engineering practice such as ANSI/ASHRAE -15 2013 section 9.7.8 or IAPMO/ANSI UMC- 2015 (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials/Uniform Mechanical Codes) section 1112.10.2, when it failed to ensure that anhydrous ammonia discharged to atmosphere was released at least 15ft above the adjoining ground level.  Instance e). On or about 6/02/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees were exposed to ammonia chemical release hazards when the employer did not document that equipment complied with its chosen recognized and generally accepted good engineering practice, such as ANSI/ASHRAE -15 2013 section 8.11.2.1, when audible and visual alarms were not installed inside and outside each entrance to the machinery rooms #2 and an audible and visual alarms was not installed inside of the South entrance door of engine room #1.  Instance f). On or about 6/02/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees were exposed to ammonia chemical release hazards when the employer did not document that it complied with its chosen recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices, such as IAPMO/ANSI UMC- 2015 (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials/Uniform Mechanical Codes) section 1108.3, when the emergency shut-off switches were not covered with a break-glass type or with an approved tamper-resistant immediately adjacent to and outside of the machinery room entrance.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Abate by

Feb 24, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $8,701 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(e)(1): The employer did not perform an initial process hazard analysis (hazard evaluation) on processes covered by 29 CFR 1910.119.   On or about 6/02/2022, employees were exposed to chemical hazards of anhydrous ammonia when the employer did not perform an initial process hazard analysis (hazard evaluation) on the ammonia refrigeration system #1 covered by process safety management (PSM) standards.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Abate by

Apr 24, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $8,701 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(f)(3): The operating procedures were not reviewed as often as necessary to assure that they reflect current operating practice, including changes that result from changes in process chemicals, technology, and equipment, and changes to facilities. The employer did not certify annually that these operating procedures were current and accurate.   On or about 6/02/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees were exposed to chemical hazards of anhydrous ammonia when the employer did not annually certify operating procedures to ensure that they are current and accurate. The following inaccuracies were noted but not limited to:  a.) Oil draining procedures b.) Emergency Shutdown (SOP#1) c.) Line Opening Procedure (SOP#2) d.) Start up after Deviation Shutdown (SOP#3) e.) Operation of High-Pressure Liquid Receiver (SOP-HPLR) f.) Operation of High Pressure Re-circulator (SOP-HPR

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Abate by

Jan 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,215 · Current $3,729 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(h)(2)(i): The employer, when selecting a contractor, did not obtain and evaluate information regarding the contract employer's safety performance and programs.   On or about 6/01/2022, the employer did not evaluate information regarding the safety performance and programs of the contract employers (Letsos Company and Express Freight Handlers) prior to the contract employees performing work on or near by a process safety management (PSM) cover process.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Abate by

Jan 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(h)(2)(ii): The employer did not inform contract employers of potential fire, explosion or toxic release hazards related to working on or near a covered process.  On or about 6/01/2022, contract employees were exposed to chemical hazards of ammonia when the employer did not inform to contract employer, Express Freight Handlers, the potential release hazards of anhydrous ammonia at the Restaurant Depot Distribution Center.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Abate by

Jan 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(h)(2)(iii): The employer did not explain the applicable provisions of the emergency action plan to contract employers who work on or adjacent to a covered process.  On or about 6/01/2022, contract employees were exposed to chemical hazards of ammonia or fire when the employer did not explain to contract employers (Letsos Company and Express Freight Handlers) the emergency action plan at the Restaurant Depot Distribution Center.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Abate by

Jan 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(h)(2)(v): The employer did not periodically evaluate the performance of contract employers to ensure they are fulfilling their obligations as specified in 29 CFR 1910.119(h)(3).  On or about 6/01/2022, contract employees were exposed to chemical hazards of ammonia when the employer did not periodically evaluate the performance of contract employers (Letsos Company and Express Freight Handlers) in meeting their responsibilities at the Restaurant Depot Distribution Center.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Abate by

Feb 24, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $8,701 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(2): The employer did not establish and implement written procedures to maintain the on-going integrity of process equipment.   On or about 6/02/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees were exposed to chemical hazards of ammonia when the employer did not ensure that written procedures for testing or inspecting of process equipment were established and implemented including but not limited to:  a) Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) for ammonia pressure vessels and piping.  b) Compressor safety cutouts including high/low pressure, temperature, and oil differential cutout (SC-101& SC-102, CO-103-C0-106).   c) Pressure vessels and heat exchanger (Re-circulator RV-301, Intercooler IC-301, Liquid Receiver RC-301, and Evaporative Condenser EC-602).   d) Emergency stop buttons for engine rooms (#1 &#2).   e) Control levels for pressure vessels.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Abate by

Apr 24, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $8,701 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(j)(4)(i): The employer did not perform inspection and tests on process equipment  On or about 6/02/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees were exposed to chemical hazards of ammonia when the employer did not perform inspection and testing on process equipment for the ammonia refrigeration systems such as but not limited to :  a.	Exhaust /ventilation fan in the engine room #1 b.	Visual and audible alarms for engine room #1 c.	Ammonia detector in the engine room #1 d.	Emergency shutdown buttons for engine room #1  e.	Oil Pressure Differential Cut Out for the compressor SC-102 (P&ID RH-A-P-0502) f.	High and Low Pressure Cut Out for the compressor CO-104 (P&ID RH-A-P-0503) g.	High temperature Cut out for the compressor CO-106 (P&ID RH-A-P-0504) h.	Level Transmitter, LT-3015, for Re-circulator (RV-301) (P&ID RH-A-P-0528)  i.	Re-circulator RV-301 (P&ID RH-A-P-0528) j.	Intercooler IC-301 (P&ID RH-A-P-0507) k.	Liquid Receiver RC-301 (P&ID RH-A-P-0506) l.	Evaporative Condenser EC-602 (P&ID RH-A-P-0505)  m.	Compressor SC-101 (P&ID RH-A-P-0501) n.	Compressor CO-104 (P&ID RH-A-P-0503) o.	Compressor CO-106 (P&ID RH-A-P-0504) p.	Re-circulating pumps PU-701A/701B (P&ID RH-A-P-0528)  q.	PSV-10281/10291 for Re-circulator RV-301 (P&ID RH-A-P-0528) r.	PSV-10251/10421 for 6"-HSS-208 piping (P&ID RH-A-P-0528) s.	PSV-9471/9481 for Intercooler IC-301 (P&ID RH-A-P-0507) t.	PSV-9381/9391 for Liquid Receiver RC-301 (P&ID RH-A-P-0506) u.	PSV-9321/10201 and PSV-10211/9331 for Evaporative Condenser EV-602 (P&ID RH-A-P-0505)

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Penalty

Initial $6,215 · Current $3,729 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119 (l)(1) : The employer did not establish and implement written procedures to manage changes (except for "replacements in kind") to process chemicals, technology, equipment, and procedures; and changes to facilities that affect a covered process.  On or about 6/02/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees were exposed to chemical hazards of ammonia when the employer did not establish and implement written procedures to manage changes to replace a 2-inch carbon steel pipe from schedule 40 to schedule 80.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Abate by

Jan 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,215 · Current $3,729 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c): The employer did not develop and implement a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures and elements for required respirator use.    On or about 6/02/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals by inhalation when the employer did not develop and implement a written respiratory protection program with required procedures where the employer required employees to wear respirators.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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.  On or about 6/02/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, the employer required employees to wear respirators while working on opening ammonia refrigeration lines and unloading ammonia but did not ensure that employees had received medical evaluations.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): The employer did not ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator was fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) was used, and at least annually thereafter.    On or about 6/02/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees were exposed to chemical hazards of ammonia when the employer required employees to wear respirators while working on opening ammonia refrigeration lines and unloading ammonia but did not ensure that employees were fit tested.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Penalty

Initial $10,360 · Current $6,216 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(1):The employer did not establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performs any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment would be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative.  On or about 6/01/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees were exposed to hazards of energy when the employer did not establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Abate by

Apr 24, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,360 · Current $6,216 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.165(b)(1): The employee alarm system did not provide warning for necessary emergency action as called for in the emergency action plan, or for reaction time for safe escape of employees from the workplace or the immediate work area.  On or about 6/01/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees exposed to hazardous chemicals, fire or explosion when the employee alarm system did not provide warning for necessary emergency action when the alarm system was not activated

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Penalty

Initial $5,283 · Current $3,170 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i): Live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more were not guarded against accidental contact by approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures, or other means listed under this provision.  Instance a). On or about 6/02/2022, in the motor control center #1 (MCC#1), there were three 480-Volt electrical panelboards without latched or closed doors and live electrical parts were exposed.  Instance b). On or about 6/03/2022, in the motor control center #2 (MCC#2), there were three 480-Volt electrical panelboards with guard doors open and live electrical parts were exposed.

Issued

Nov 22, 2022

Abate by

Jan 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,215 · Current $3,729 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement and maintain at the workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g) and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met.  On or about 6/01/2022, at the Restaurant Depot facility located in Houston Texas, employees exposed to hazardous chemicals when the employer did not develop and implement a written hazard communication program that addressed hazardous chemicals.