OSHA Inspection: SUGAR CREEK PACKING CO.

Issued

Nov 16, 2023

Abate by

Dec 13, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $10,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(a):Application. Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.  a) On or about May 23, 2023, maintenance employees were not provided and required to use body protection for the torso and extremities to prevent physical contact with corrosive chemicals while working in the extrusion department. During service and repair activities for mechanical fan components of the Tree Wash, employees were exposed physical contact hazards associated with ProClean Boil Out which contains sodium hydroxide and can cause severe skin burns.

Issued

Nov 16, 2023

Abate by

Dec 13, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(1)(i):Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment;  a) On May 23, 2023, did not ensure employees used the PPE listed in the hazard assessment for the Tree Wash. Employees did not use an apron, gloves, or face shield or goggles, as listed in the hazard assessment.

Issued

Nov 16, 2023

Abate by

Dec 13, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.133(a)(1):The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.  a) On May 23, 2023, the employer did not ensure employees inside of the Tree Wash removing the exhaust fan wore appropriate eye or face protection while exposed to ProClean Boil Out corrosive chemical solution.

Issued

Nov 16, 2023

Abate by

Dec 13, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $8,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii): The procedures shall 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, the following:   (A): A specific statement of the intended use of the procedure; (B): Specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy; (C): Specific procedural steps for the placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices or tagout devices and the responsibility for them; and (D): Specific requirements for testing a machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy control measures.  a) On or about May 23, 2023, SugarCreek Packing Company utilized inadequate energy control procedures in that the Tree Wash procedures did not address isolation of the water and chemical supply line for the ProClean Boil Out chemical with a pH 12.9-13.4 nor did the procedure address the need to drain and dilute the chemical solution that remains in the bottom of the Tree Wash prior to performing maintenance.

Issued

Nov 16, 2023

Abate by

Dec 13, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(i): Group lockout or tagout. When servicing and/or maintenance is performed by a crew, craft, department or other group, they shall utilize a procedure which affords the employees a level of protection equivalent to that provided by the implementation of a personal lockout or tagout device.  a) On or about May 23, 2023, the employer did not utilize a group lockout procedure for the maintenance department while 2 employees were located inside the Tree Wash to remove the exhaust fan.  b) On June 23, 2023, the employer did not utilize a group lockout procedure for the maintenance department while 2 employees disassembled the Hoegger Belly Press.

Issued

Nov 16, 2023

Abate by

Dec 13, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(6)(i):The employer shall conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements of this standard are being followed.  (B) The periodic inspection shall be conducted to correct any deviations or inadequacies identified.  (C) Where lockout is used for energy control, the periodic inspection shall include a review, between the inspector and each authorized employee, of that employee's responsibilities under the energy control procedure being inspected.  a) On or about May 23, 2023, the employer failed to conduct the annual periodic inspection in that the machine specific procedures were not inspected or reviewed between an inspector and each authorized employee for the Tree Wash procedure. The periodic inspection was not conducted to correct deficiencies and inadequacies in the procedural steps and energy sources in that the chemical energy was not included in the isolation procedures.

Issued

Nov 16, 2023

Abate by

Dec 13, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.151(c): Medical and first aid. Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.    a) On or about May 23, 2023, Sugarcreek Packing Company located in Washington Court House, OH did not ensure that adequate first aid was provided after employee exposure to corrosive chemicals located in the bottom of the Tree Wash in that the emergency shower located near the Tree Wash was not serviceable for use.

Issued

Nov 16, 2023

Abate by

Dec 13, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $11,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(3): Training. The employee training did not include the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(i) through (h)(3)(iv):   (h)(3)(i) Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area (such as monitoring conducted by the employer, continuous monitoring devices, visual appearance or odor of hazardous chemicals when being released, etc.); (h)(3)(ii) The physical, health, simple asphyxiation, combustible dust, and pyrophoric gas hazards, as well as hazards not otherwise classified, of the chemicals in the work area; (h)(3)(iii) The measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards, including specific procedures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment to be used; and, (h)(3)(iv) The details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, including an explanation of the labels received on shipped containers and the workplace labeling system used by their employer; the safety data sheet, including the order of information and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information.  a) On or about May 23, 2023, maintenance employees with exposure to ProClean Boil Out containing sodium hydroxide had not received training for methods and observations used to detect the presence of the chemical in the work area, the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical and the measures to protect themselves from the hazards including emergency procedures, such as eye wash and emergency shower use to remove gross chemical contamination. Maintenance employees had exposure to the heated ProClean Boil Out chemical during machine servicing tasks associated with the Tree Wash machine. Health hazards associated with ProClean Boil Out include corrosivity that can result in chemical burns due to skin contact, eye contact and inhalation.

Issued

Nov 16, 2023

Abate by

Dec 13, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(f)(6):The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the information specified under paragraphs (f)(6)(i) through (ii) of this section:  a) On May 30, 2023, the employer did not ensure the Tree Wash containing ProClean Boil Out in the bottom was labeled, tagged or marked to inform employees working in and around the tree wash were aware of the hazards associated with ProClean Boil Out.

Issued

Nov 16, 2023

Abate by

Dec 13, 2023

Penalty

Initial $85,938 · Current $60,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): The employer shall provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls are acquired by employees. The training shall include the following:  (A) Each authorized employee shall receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.  a) On or about May 23, 2023, SugarCreek Packing Company did not adequately train authorized employees in the recognition of the hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy, and methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control hazardous energy sources for the Tree Wash  machine. Maintenance employees perform duties covered by this part that include preventive maintenance (belt checks) and exhaust fan repair. During servicing activities for the Tree Wash machine, employees have potential exposure to thermal energy, chemical energy, mechanical energy and steam.   The Sugar Creek Packing Company was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1427906, citation number 1 item number 1a and was affirmed as a final order on December 19, 2019, with respect to a workplace located at 2101 Kenskill Avenue Washington Court House, OH 43160.  The Sugar Creek Packing Company was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1581860, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on June 15, 2022, with respect to a workplace located at 4235 Thunderbird Lane Fairfield, OH 45014.

Issued

Nov 16, 2023

Abate by

Dec 13, 2023

Penalty

Initial $85,938 · Current $60,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d): Application of control. The established procedures for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) shall cover the following elements and actions and shall be done in the following sequence:  (d)(1) Preparation for shutdown. Before an authorized or affected employee turns off a machine or equipment, the authorized employee shall have knowledge of the type and magnitude of the energy, the hazards of the energy to be controlled, and the method or means to control the energy.  (d)(2) Machine or equipment shutdown. The machine or equipment shall be turned off or shut down using the procedures established for the machine or equipment. An orderly shutdown must be utilized to avoid any additional or increased hazard(s) to employees as a result of the equipment stoppage.  (d)(3) Machine or equipment isolation. All energy isolating devices that are needed to control the energy to the machine or equipment shall be physically located and operated in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source(s).  (d)(4) Lockout or tagout device application.  (d)(4)(i) Lockout or tagout devices shall be affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees.  (4)(ii) Lockout devices, where used, shall be affixed in a manner to that will hold the energy isolating devices in a "safe" or "off" position.  (d)(6) Verification of isolation. Prior to starting work on machines or equipment that have been locked out or tagged out, the authorized employee shall verify that isolation and deenergization of the machine or equipment have been accomplished.   a) On or about May 23, 2023 each authorized employee performing maintenance on the Tree Wash did not perform (d)(1), (d)(3), (d)(4) and (d)(6) prior to entering the Tree Wash to reach the fan bearings. Employees did not properly secure each energy source prior to starting work, including: electrical at the disconnect; chemical supply; chemical drain. Employees were exposed to chemical hazards associated with unexpected machine start-up.   b) On or about June 23, 2023 each authorized employee performing maintenance on the Hoegger Belly Press did not perform (d)(4) prior to reaching their hands into the point of operation of the Belly Press. Employees did not properly secure each energy source prior to starting work, including: pneumatic at the valve. Employees were exposed to caught-in hazards associated with unexpected machine start-up.   c) On or about June 23, 2023 each authorized employee performing maintenance on the Drench Cabinet did not perform (d)(1), (d)(3), (d)(4) and (d)(6) prior to entering the cabinet to disassemble for cleaning. Employees did not properly secure each energy source prior to starting work, including: electrical at the disconnect. Employees were to chemical hazards with unexpected machine start-up.    The Sugar Creek Packing Company was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(d), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1427906, citation number 1 item number 1b and was affirmed as a final order on December 19, 2019, with respect to a workplace located at 2101 Kenskill Avenue Washington Court House, OH 43160.  The Sugar Creek Packing Company was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(d), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1581860, citation number 1, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on June 15, 2022, with respect to a workplace located at 4235 Thunderbird Lane Fairfield, OH 45014.