OSHA Inspection: HOME MARKET FOODS, INC.

Issued

Jun 16, 2023

Abate by

Aug 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $12,278 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(c)(2):  Employer did not consult with employees and their representatives on the conduct and development of process hazards analyses and on the development of the other elements of process safety management in this standard.  Establishment:  On or about December 19, 2022, the employer did not consult with employees in the conduct and development of process hazard analyses and on the development of the other elements of process safety management in this standard including, but not limited to, the compliance audit conducted on or about September 2022.

Issued

Jun 16, 2023

Abate by

Aug 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(d)(3)(ii): Employer did not document that equipment complies with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP).   Establishment:  a)  The employer did not document that equipment complied with its chosen recognized and generally accepted good engineering practice (RAGAGEP), such as ANSI/IIAR (American National Safety Institute/International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration) 2 - 2014 edition, Section 6.13.2.3 when emergency mechanical ventilation in the ammonia machine room (AMR) did not automatically activate when detection of ammonia concentrations exceeded 150 parts per million (one half the Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health).  b)  The employer did not document that equipment complied with its chosen recognized and generally accepted good engineering practice (RAGAGEP), such as ANSI/IIAR (American National Safety Institute/International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration) 2 - 2014 edition, Section 6.6.2, when pipes penetrating the ammonia machinery room separation were not sealed to the wall to which they penetrated.   c) The employer did not document that equipment complied with its chosen recognized and generally accepted good engineering practice (RAGAGEP), such as ANSI/IIAR (American National Safety Institute/International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration) 2 - 2014 edition, Section 6.7 when eyewash and body shower were not located external to the Engine (Machine) Room and readily accessible via an exit.   d) The employer did not document that equipment complied with its chosen recognized and generally accepted good engineering practice (RAGAGEP), such as ANSI/IIAR 2-2014 edition, Section 6.13.1.2 when ammonia leak detector did not activate an alarm that reported to a monitored location so corrective action can be taken at or above 25 ppm.  On or about December 19, 2022, an uncontrolled release of approximately 21,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia refrigerant occurred in the ammonia engine room where two employees were working resulting in one employee who was fatally injured and one employee who was seriously injured.

Issued

Jun 16, 2023

Abate by

Aug 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $12,278 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(h)(2)(i):  Employer, when selecting a contractor, did not obtain and evaluate information regarding the contract employer's safety performance and program:  Establishment:  Employer did not evaluate information regarding safety performance and programs for contract employers who perform work on or adjacent to anhydrous ammonia refrigeration equipment.

Issued

Jun 16, 2023

Abate by

Aug 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(h)(2)(ii):  Employer did not inform contract employers of the known potential fire, explosion, or toxic release hazards related to the contractor's work and the process:  Establishment:  Employer did not inform contract employers of the known potential fire, explosion, or toxic release hazards related to the contractor's work and the process for contractors who work on or adjacent to anhydrous ammonia refrigeration equipment.

Issued

Jun 16, 2023

Abate by

Aug 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(h)(2)(iii):  Employer did not explain to contract employers the applicable provisions of the emergency action plan required by 29 CFR 1910.119(n):  Establishment:  Employer did not explain to contract employers who work on or adjacent to anhydrous ammonia refrigeration equipment the applicable provisions of the emergency action plan required by 29 CFR 1910.119(n).

Issued

Jun 16, 2023

Abate by

Aug 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(h)(2)(iv):  Employer did not develop and implement safe work practices consistent with paragraph (f)(4) of this section, to control the entrance, presence and exit of contract employers and contract employees in the covered process areas.  Establishment:  Employer did not develop and implement safe work practices consistent with paragraph (f)(4) of this section, and to control the entrance, presence and exit of contract employees who perform work on or adjacent to anhydrous ammonia refrigeration equipment.

Issued

Jun 16, 2023

Abate by

Aug 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(j)(4)(iii): The frequency of inspections and tests of process equipment to maintain its mechanical integrity, was not consistent with applicable manufacturer's recommendations and good engineering practices, or more frequently determined to be necessary by prior operating experience.     Ammonia Machine (Engine) Room:  Employer did not ensure that the frequency of inspections and tests of the following components/equipment of the ammonia refrigeration system was consistent with applicable manufacturer's recommendations and good engineering practices:  a) The sensors for the ammonia detection system were not calibrated semi-annually as per manufacturer's recommendations,  Home Market Food's mechanical integrity inspection/test schedule, and in accordance with ANSI/IIAR (American National Safety Institute/International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration) IIAR 6 2019 edition, Table 12.3.  b) Emergency ventilation  for the ammonia machine room was not tested semi-annually  in accordance with ANSI/IIAR (American National Safety Institute/International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration) IIAR 2 2014 edition, Section 6.14 in the absence of the manufacturer's recommendations for schedule of maintenance.

Issued

Jun 16, 2023

Abate by

Aug 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $12,278 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(j)(6)(ii):The employer did not ensure appropriate checks and inspections were performed to assure that equipment was installed properly and consistent with design specifications and the manufacturer's instructions.  Ammonia Machine Room:  On or about December 19, 2022, a release of approximately 21,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia refrigerant occurred while employees were working inside the ammonia machine room (AMR). Employer did not ensure appropriate checks and inspections were performed to assure that the safety system equipment for the anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system was installed properly and consistent with design specifications:  a) Emergency ventilation equipment in the AMR did not automatically activate when ammonia levels exceeded 150 parts per million (one half the Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health).   b) The alarm for the ammonia leak detection system did not initially activate when the ammonia levels exceeded 25 parts per million (ppm) to alert employees to evacuate.

Issued

Jun 16, 2023

Abate by

Aug 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(l)(1):  Employer did not implement procedures to manage changes to process chemicals, technology, equipment, and procedures, and changes to facilities that affect a covered process:  Establishment:  Employer upgraded the anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system and did not perform an adequate management of change to the heating system for the ammonia refrigeration equipment in the ammonia machine room.

Issued

Jun 16, 2023

Abate by

Aug 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $12,278 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(l)(3): Employees involved in operating a process and maintenance and contract employees whose job tasks would be affected by a change in the process were not informed of and trained in the change prior to start-up of the process or affected part of the process.  Ammonia Machine Room:  Employees who operate, monitor, perform maintenance/repairs, and/or perform critical equipment shutdown of ammonia refrigeration system were not informed of and trained in the change prior to start-up of  the upgraded heating system in the Ammonia Machine Room.

Issued

Jun 16, 2023

Abate by

Aug 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $12,278 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(l)(5):  A change covered by this paragraph resulted in a change in the operating procedures or practices required by paragraph (f) of this section, and such procedures or practices were not updated accordingly:  Establishment:  Employer did not update operating  procedures and practices for the upgraded heating system in the Ammonia Machine Room.

Issued

Jun 16, 2023

Abate by

Aug 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $12,278 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(m)(5):   Employer did not establish a system to promptly address and resolve the incident report findings and recommendations. Resolutions and corrective actions were not documented.   Establishment:  Employer did not establish a system to promptly address and resolve incident report findings as required by this section for incidents including, but not limited to:  a) On or about August 1, 2022, when a pipe on Compressor AMCOMP 3 broke causing an anhydrous ammonia leak. b) On or about May 17, 2022, approximately 1,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia was released from the relief valves into the header into the atmosphere.

Issued

Jun 16, 2023

Abate by

Aug 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $12,278 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(m)(6):  The incident investigation report was not reviewed with all affected personnel whose job tasks are relevant to the incident findings including contract employees where applicable:  Establishment:  Employer did not review the information in the  incident investigation report with affected personnel including, but not limited to, employees who monitor and/or operate the ammonia refrigeration system following the investigation of the incidents:  a) On or about August 1, 2022, when a pipe connection on Compressor REF-AMCOMP 3 broke causing an anhydrous ammonia leak. b) On or about May 17, 2022, approximately 1,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia was released from the relief valves into the header to the atmosphere.

Issued

Jun 16, 2023

Abate by

Aug 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $12,278 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.120(q)(6)(ii):  First responders at the operational level did not receive at least eight hours of training or did not have sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate competency in the areas required by 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(ii)(A) through (q)(6)(ii)(F) and/or the employer did not so certify:  Establishment:  On or about December 19, 2022, the employer did not ensure that employees who remained to handle critical equipment shutdown, stop any unnecessary equipment or processes during an ammonia leak were not provided training that adequately addressed elements including, but not limited to, the monitoring of ammonia exposure levels, the selection and use of personal protective equipment, and the basic control, containment and confinement operations or decontamination of hazardous materials that may be encountered in an emergency response.