OSHA Inspection: FAIR OAKS FARMS, LLC

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Dec 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $5,122 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(d)(3)(i)(B): The employer's piping and instrument diagrams did not include information that provided specific identification of equipment that is part of the process.  (a) On or about May 16, 2023, inspection of the ammonia refrigeration Engine Room, identified that P&IDs did not reflect current piping configuration associated with, but not limited to the intercooler vessel system and roof top condensers.  This process equipment was changed out as part of an upgrade to the system in 2021 and was not reflected on the P&IDS.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Jul 24, 2024

Penalty

Initial $5,122 · Current $2,561 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.  (a) On or about May 16, 2023, the employer did document that the emergency ventilation system for the ammonia refrigeration machinery room complied with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP).

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Jan 24, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,539 · Current $5,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(e)(5): The employer did not assure PHA recommendations were addressed and resolved in a timely manner.   (a) On or about May 16, 2023, 2019 Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) recommendation 2 was not addressed and resolved. The recommendation to install a King solenoid valve interlocked with the E-Stop for the system was not addressed or completed.    (b) On or about May 16, 2023, 2019 Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) recommendation 12 was not addressed and resolved. The recommendation to remove gauge panel from the engine room office was not addressed or completed. This exposed employees that conduct work within the office to ammonia gas or liquid in the event of a release.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,063 · Current $7,030 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii): Procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(A), (c)(4)(ii)(B), (c)(4)(ii)(C) and (c)(4)(ii)(D):  (a) On or about August 11, 2023, the employer's lockout/tagout procedures for the ovens (Cookline #1, #2, and #3) did not address the natural gas energy source and methods to isolate and control the hazard when conducting service work on the ovens.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d)(4)(i): Lockout or tagout devices were not affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees:  (a) On or about August 11, 2023, the employees conducting lockout/tagout on the ovens (Cookline #1, #2, and #3) did not attach a lockout device to the quick disconnect drop prior to commencement of repair/maintenance activities.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Oct 26, 2023

Penalty

Initial $8,539 · Current $5,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(e)(1): Before lockout tagout devices were removed, the work area was not inspected to ensure that nonessential items had been removed or ensured that machine or equipment components were operationally intact.  (b) On or about August 3, 2023, employees conducted repair/maintenance work on the conveyor system to the FrigoScandia Spiral Freezer, at 7600 95th Street in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, failed to replace the the guard on the chain and sprocket assembly, exposing employees to amputation hazards.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Penalty

Initial $11,953 · Current $8,300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(f)(1): Gear(s) were not guarded by a complete enclosure or by one of the methods specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(f)(1)(ii) and (f)(1)(iii):  (a) On or about June 27, 2023, employee working in the area near FrigoScandia Spiral Freezer discharge, at 7600 95th Street in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, were exposed to an amputation hazard from the unguarded chain and sprocket assembly to the conveying system for the freezer discharge.   (b) On or about August 3, 2023, employee working in the area near the FrigoScandia Spiral Freezer discharge, at 7600 95th Street in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, were exposed the amputation hazards from the unguarded chain and sprocket assembly to the conveying system for the freezer discharge.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $5,122 · Current $2,561 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(7)(i): Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings were not effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment:  (a) On or about May 16, 2023, a in-line junction box under the HT Accumulator was missing a cover, exposing live wiring;  (b) On or about May 16, 2023, a in-line junction box under the LT Accumulator was missing a cover, exposing live wiring;  (c) On or about May 16, 2023, a in-line junction box under the ULT Accumulator was missing a cover, exposing live wiring;  (d) On or about May 16, 2023, a  junction box on the BC-3 was missing punch hole covers, exposing live wiring;  (e) On or about May 16, 2023, the cover on a junction box on the SC-2 was not secured and properly in place, exposing live wiring, and;  (f) On or about May 16, 2023, a  junction box on the HSC-3 was missing punch hole covers, exposing live wiring.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Jan 24, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(f)(3):  The employer did not annually certify that operating procedures were current and accurate.  On or about May 16, 2023, operating procedures developed to operate and maintain the ammonia refrigeration system at the facility were not reviewed and updated on an annual schedule.  Procedures that had not been reviewed on an annual schedule are, but not limited to the following:  (a)  Operating procedure for Booster Compressor BC-1, was last certified in March of 2021. The procedure had not been certified as of May 2023.  (b) Operating procedure for Booster Compressor BC-2, was last certified in March of 2021. The procedure had not been certified as of May 2023.  (c)  Operating procedure for High Temp Receiver and Associated Ammonia Refrigerant Pumps, was last certified in March of 2021. The procedure had not been certified as of May 2023.  (d)  Operating procedure for Ammonia Charging Procedure, was last certified in March of 2021. The procedure had not been certified as of May 2023.  (e) Operating procedure for Emergency Planning and Response was last certified in March of 2018. The procedure had not been certified as of May 2023.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Jan 24, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(h)(2)(i): 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 program:  (a) On or about May 16, 2023, the employer, prior to selecting an ammonia refrigeration contractor to maintain the facility ammonia refrigeration system, did not request and review information regarding the contractors injury and illness rates, safety program and other safety performance criteria.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Nov 16, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(l)(1): The employer did not implement procedures to manage changes to process chemicals, technology, equipment, and procedures, and changes to facilities that affect a covered process.  (a) On or about May 16, 2023, a management of change (MOC) was not implemented for pressure relief valves on Booster Compressor BC-3 that were beyond the five year manufacture required replacement date.  (b) On or about May 16, 2023, a management of change (MOC) was not implemented for pressure relief valves on Booster Compressor BC-2 that were beyond the five year manufacture required replacement date.