OSHA Inspection: ABATTOIR ASSOCIATES, INC.

Issued

Apr 3, 2023

Abate by

Sep 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $3,349 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: 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 employee(s) in that employee(s) were not protected from struck-by and crushing hazards:  a) Kill Floor - The Harrington 2-ton electric-powered hoist chain hook, used to lift animal carcasses, was not securely attached to the load in that the hook was missing its safety latch, exposing employees to being struck-by and crushed-by suspended loads, on or about October 6, 2022.  b) Kill Floor - The Harrington 2-ton electric-powered chain hoist was sideloaded while the hoist was lifting and suspending animal carcasses exposing employees to struck-by and crushing hazards, on or about October 6, 2022.  c) Kill Floor - The employer did not conduct monthly visual examination of the Harrington 2-ton electric-powered chain hoist to ensure that it was in safe working order, exposing employees to struck-by and crushing hazards while operating the hoist to lift and suspend animal carcasses, on or about October 6, 2022.  d) Kill Floor - The employer did not conduct a documented yearly evaluation of the Harrington 2-ton electric-powered chain hoist to ensure that it was in safe working order, exposing employees to struck-by and crushing hazards while operating the hoist to lift and suspend animal carcasses, on or about October 6, 2022.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 3, 2023

Abate by

Sep 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $2,009 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(b)(2): Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":  a) Facility - Employees were exposed to an egress hazard when an exit sign was missing on the exit door leading from the hall to the office/breakroom, on or about October 6, 2022.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 3, 2023

Abate by

Sep 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(b)(4): When the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge was not immediately apparent, signs were not posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge:   a) Facility - The employer did not post signs indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge where exit routes were not apparent and exit signs were not visible, on or about October 6, 2022.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 3, 2023

Abate by

Sep 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.184(d): Sling(s) and fastenings were not inspected by a competent person each day, before being used, for damage or defects. Damaged or defective slings were not immediately removed from service.  a) Kill Floor - The employer did not ensure that each day before being used, a chain sling, fastenings, and attachments used to lift and suspend animal carcasses were inspected for damage or defects by a competent person, on or about October 6, 2022.  b) Kill Floor - The employer did not ensure that a chain sling which did not have affixed and legible identification markings was removed from service, on or about October 6, 2022.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 3, 2023

Abate by

Sep 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.184(e)(1):  Alloy steel sling(s) did not have permanently affixed durable identification stating size, grade, rated capacity, and reach:   a) Kill Floor - On the Harrington 2-ton electric-powered chain hoist, a chain sling used to lift animals did not have permanently affixed identification markings as required, on or about October 6, 2022.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 3, 2023

Abate by

Sep 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.184(e)(3)(i): A thorough periodic inspection of alloy steel chain slings was not made on a regular basis and/or were done at intervals greater than once every 12 months:  a) Kill Floor - The employer did not conduct documented periodic inspections of an alloy steel chain sling used to lift and suspend animal carcasses, on or about October 6, 2022.   Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 3, 2023

Abate by

Sep 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $3,349 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(7)(iv): There were damaged parts that adversely affected safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment, such as parts that were broken, bent, cut, or deteriorated by corrosion, chemical action, or overheating:  a) Kill Floor - The dead front cover of a Square D 3-Phase electrical panel was corroded, exposing employees to electrical shock hazards, on or about October 6, 2022.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 3, 2023

Abate by

Sep 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(e)(1): Electric equipment may not be used unless the markings designated in  1910.303 (e)(1(i) through (ii) are met:   a) Kill Floor - The manufacturer's markings giving voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings as necessary for a Square D 3-Phase electrical panel were not legible, exposing employees to electrical shock hazards, on or about October 6, 2022.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 3, 2023

Abate by

Sep 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(f)(2): Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its disconnecting means or overcurrent device, was not legibly marked to indicate its purpose, nor located and arranged so the purpose was evident:  a) Kill Floor - All circuit breakers inside a Square D 3-Phase electrical panel were not legibly marked to indicate its purpose, nor located and arranged so the purpose was evident, exposing employees to electrical shock hazards, on or about October 6, 2022.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 3, 2023

Abate by

Sep 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.145(c)(2)(i): Caution signs were not used to warn against potential hazards or to caution against unsafe practices:  a) Freezer - Where employees enter the freezer, there were no safety signs to warn employees of low clearance exposing employees to a struck-by hazard, on or about October 6, 2022.  b) Freezer - Where employees stack and retrieve boxes at the shelves below the cooling unit, there were no safety signs to warn employees of low clearance exposing employees to a struck-by hazard, on or about October 6, 2022.  c) Coolers - Where ultraviolet fixtures are installed on ceilings, there were no safety signs to warn employees entering the room that UV light is being used, on or about October 6, 2022.   Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.