OSHA Inspection: JOSEPH'S FOOD PRODUCTS COMPANY INC.

Issued

2023-09-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-12-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $15625.00 · Current $9000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 burn hazards from heated food products during manufacturing operations.   a) On or about May 2, 2023, on the liquid mixing line at the MTC #1 mixer, the employer failed to ensure the MTC Model SC Series Smart Cooker was in safe operating condition prior to being used by employees.  An employee, a mixer, was opening a manual valve directly below the right discharge door when the discharge door opened on its own, releasing liquid contents from the equipment, exposing the employee to burn hazards from direct contact with the concentrated chicken bouillon (liquid) that was approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Issued

2023-09-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-10-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8929.00 · Current $5000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.23(e)(3)(ii): The employer did not ensure mobile ladder stand platforms with a platform height of 4 to 10 feet (1.2 m to 3 m) have, in the platform area, handrails with a vertical height of at least 36 inches (91 cm) and midrails;   a. Blending Room - On or about July 13, 2023, in blend room #2, mixing room employee(s) were standing on a mobile ladder stand platform at the height (4) feet, four (4) inches to shovel out product being dumped into the mixer. The mobile ladder stand platform had a top hand rail that measured at approximately 32 inches and did not have a midrail, thereby exposing employees to a four (4) feet, four (4) inch fall hazard.  b. Bagging lines - On or about July 13, 2023, at the bagging lines, general labor employee(s) were standing on a mobile ladder stand platform at a height of approximately seven (7) feet, eight (8) inches to unclear a jam. The mobile ladder stand platform had a top hand rail that measured at approximately 28 inches and did not have a midrail, thereby exposing employees to a seven (7) feet, eight (8) inch fall hazard.

Issued

2023-09-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-10-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $11162.00 · Current $7000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(2): The workplace contains permit spaces, the employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces.   NOTE: A sign reading DANGER -- PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER or using other similar language would satisfy the requirement for a sign.  a. Retort Pressure Cookers - On or about May 9, 2023, the employer failed to inform employees of the existence, location and danger of permit-required confined spaces in the workplace, including the 1-12 retort pressure cookers, by not posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means.