OSHA Inspection: K&N'S FOODS USA, LLC

Issued

Apr 16, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $5,323 · Current $1,774 Reduced

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:  a) On or about 11/2/2023, Control Room, the existing emergency lighting  in the control room was inoperable.  Abatement certification is required for this item

Issued

Apr 16, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $2,958 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 11/2/2023, Main receiver Area, Numerous valves, gauges, and pipes, including the high level alarm and the main receiver,  located in the main receiver area and elevated condensers  were not labeled/ tagged in compliance with ANSI/IIAR 2.    b) On or about 11/2/2023,  Engine Room, Numerous valves and gauges associated with compressor #4 were not labeled/ tagged in compliance with ANSI/IIAR 2 .    c) On or about 11/2/2023, Engine Room, A Purger System had numerous valves, gauges, and equipment associated with the process not provided with labels/ tags, along with some of the associated piping not being labeled or color coded in compliance with ANSI/IIAR 2.

Issued

Apr 16, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,421 · Current $4,140 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(j)(4)(i): The employer did not perform inspection and tests on process equipment   a) On or about 11/2/2023, Throughout the Anhydrous Ammonia Refrigeration System, the employer had not performed any thickness testing or inspections on any of the associated piping or vessels.

Issued

Apr 16, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,421 · Current $4,140 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(j)(5):The employer did not correct deficiencies in equipment that were outside acceptable limits before use:  a) On or about 11/2/2023, Main receiver Area, A ladder was stored against pressurized NH3 piping.  b) On or about 11/2/2023, Main Receiver, A sight glass was isolated and inoperable due to leaks.  c) On or about 11/2/2023,  Engine Room, Compressor #4 was in use with vibration/ oscillation which was stressing pipe connections.  d) On or about 11/2/2023, Engine Room, Gauge at the low pressure inlet on Compressor #4 had no indicator arm.  e) On or about 11/2/2023, Engine Room, Louvered vents were inoperable due to bricks/ metal holding them closed preventing make up air from entering the engine room.  f) On or about 11/2/2023, Control Room, NH3 sensors were in fault mode and out of calibration.  g) On or about 11/2/2023, Engine Room, #4 pump QC flow verification module was held together by pliers.  h) On or about 11/2/2023, Freezer, In floor heating system was non operational, causing uplift and pressure on roof level NH3 pipes.

Issued

Apr 16, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $2,958 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(o)(1): The employer did not certify that they have evaluated compliance with the provisions of this section at least every three years:  a) On or about 10/20/2023, Throughout the facility, the company had not performed any compliance audits on their Process Safety Management program.

Issued

Apr 16, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $2,958 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(d)(3)(i): The employer did not provide a respirator that was adequate to protect the health of the employee under routine and reasonably foreseeable emergency situations:   a) On or about 10/20/2023, Freezer, Employees were working in a freezer with an ongoing Anhydrous Ammonia leak.  Employees were utilizing N95 respirators and 1/2 face respirators while in an atmosphere with up to 260 ppm of NH3.   Abatement certification is required for this item

Issued

Apr 16, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:    a) On or about 10/20/2023, Freezer, Employees utilizing, N95, 1/2 face and full face respirators in an environment containing NH3, were not provided with any medical evaluation prior to use.      Abatement certification is required for this item

Issued

Apr 16, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator:   a) On or about 10/20/2023, Freezer, Employees utilizing, N95, 1/2 face and full face respirators in an environment containing NH3, were not provided with fit testing prior to use.      Abatement certification is required for this item

Issued

Apr 16, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A): Respirators with tight-fitting facepieces were worn by employees who had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interfered with valve function:    a) On or about 10/20/2023, Freezer,  An employee utilizing a 1/2 face respirator in an environment containing NH3, had facial hair which was between the skin and the sealing surface of the respirator.       Abatement certification is required for this item

Issued

Apr 16, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $10,648 · Current $3,549 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.176(b): Storage of material created a hazard:  a) On or about 10/20/2023, Freezer, Storage racks containing product were compromised due to heaving floors.

Issued

Apr 16, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $24,842 · Current $8,281 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(j)(2): The employer did not implement written procedures to maintain the on-going integrity of process equipment:  a) On or about 11/2/2023,  Throughout the Anhydrous Ammonia Refrigeration System, the employer had not implemented an inspection system to address external corrosion on process piping and vessels.  K&N's Foods USA, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.119(j)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1433625, citation number 1, item number 5 and was affirmed as a final order on 4/14/2020, with respect to a workplace located at 607 Phillips Street, Fulton, NY  13069.

Issued

Apr 16, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 11/2/2023, Anhydrous Ammonia Refrigeration System:  The existing P&IDs had discrepancies between the drawings and what was actually in place, such as, but not limited to a high level alarm and transmission system being in place, but not annotated on the P&IDs.     Abatement certification is required for this item.