OSHA Inspection: USDA - FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE

Issued

Sep 21, 2023

Abate by

Nov 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(a)(3): Exit routes were not free and unobstructed. Materials or equipment were placed, either permanently or temporarily, within the exit route.   Located in the basement laboratory spaces, materials were placed within the exit routes: 1). Rooms BSL 0201, 0209 and 0206: The exhaust tubes for Black & Decker brand portable air conditioning units were venting into the hallway with the exhaust tube on the floor.  2). Exit corridors were being used to store palleted materials including insulated shipping kits, flattened boxes, and stacks of Thermo Fisher Scientific boxes on both sides of the corridors.   Employees are exposed to potential contact with objects in exit routes, which can lead to injuries such as burns, smoke inhalation, or crushing injuries from falling objects in the event of an emergency.

Issued

Sep 21, 2023

Abate by

Nov 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(a)(4): Safeguard(s) designed to protect employees during an emergency (e.g., sprinkler systems, alarm systems, fire doors, exit lighting), were not in proper working order at all times.  The self-closing fire door between the upper level hallway and the stairwell was not in proper working order. The fire door did not close fully and had a gap of several inches between the door frame and the door when closed. Employees are exposed to fire hazards.

Issued

Sep 21, 2023

Abate by

Nov 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(2):Listed or labeled equipment was not installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing and labeling.  Located in the basement microbiology lab spaces, Black and Decker portable air conditioners, model no. BPACT14WT, were not installed and used in accordance with instructions included in the listing and labeling. The portable units were designed for household use only and for use on single circuit outlets. Employees were exposed to electrical hazards from use of equipment in a manner not approved by the manufacturer.

Issued

Sep 21, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(1)(ii): The required working space about electric equipment rated 600 volts, nominal, or less was used for storage:  Located in the basement autoclave room, the required working space in front of an Eaton heavy duty safety switch was used for storage of carts, exposing employees to electrical and fire hazards.

Issued

Sep 21, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(c)(4): The employer did not assure that portable fire extinguishers  were maintained in a fully charged and operable condition and kept in their designated areas at all times except during use:  Located at the employer in the basement, a portable fire extinguisher was not kept in its designated location on a hook on the wall. One portable fire extinguisher was on the floor. Storing fire extinguishers on the floor can cause damage to the extinguishers and employees can trip over them.