OSHA Inspection: BIMBO BAKERIES USA, INC.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Abate by

Apr 30, 2025

Penalty

Initial $15,082 · Current $9,844 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0170

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(d)(3)(i)(E): The employer did not have a compilation for written process safety information pertaining to the ventilation system design:  On or about November 20, 2023, the employer did not compile and maintain ventilation system design information for the North Engine Room ventilation design and design basis for both normal and emergency ventilation, such as but not limited to the maximum rate that the ventilation system exhausts (e.g., cubic feet per minute (cfm)). The unexpected release of anhydrous ammonia or a loss of air circulation could result in the accumulation of ammonia vapors inside the North Engine Room exposing employees to fire, explosion, and inhalation hazards.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Abate by

Apr 30, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0170

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:  On or about November 20, 2023, for the Powerhouse ammonia refrigeration system equipment, the employer had not installed systems and equipment to comply with RAGAGEP that protected employees from ammonia exposure and to prevent the accumulation of explosive concentrations of ammonia vapor in the event of a catastrophic release. RAGAGEP compliant systems and equipment for this purpose, include, an ammonia detection system that is alarmed and initiates mechanical ventilation system(s) to an appropriate protective level, remote emergency ammonia refrigeration system shutdown at locations proximate to exit doors and continuous emergency level mechanical ventilation that is alarmed when turned off or in the event of failure.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Abate by

Apr 30, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0170

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c)(2)(i): Equipment in hazardous (classified) location(s) was not approved for the class of location:  On or about November 20, 2023, the engine room contained standard electrical equipment that was not approved for the class of location. The Engine Room is classified as a Class I, Group D, Division 2 location because the employer's mechanical ventilation system was not operated according to Section 6.14.7 of their chosen recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP) ANSI/IIAR 2 - 2021 Equipment, Design, and Installation of Closed-Circuit Ammonia Mechanical Refrigerating Systems. Failure to ensure that electrical equipment was approved for the class of location can result in employee exposure to anhydrous ammonia, fire, and explosion hazards in the Engine Room which could result in serious injuries or death.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Abate by

May 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $15,082 · Current $9,034 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0170

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(e)(5): The employer did not establish a system to promptly address the team's findings and recommendations; assure that the recommendations are resolved in a timely manner and that the resolution is documented; document what actions are to be taken; complete actions as soon as possible; develop a written schedule of when these actions are to be completed; communicate the actions to operating, maintenance and other employees whose work assignments are in the process and who may be affected by the recommendations or actions:  On or about November 20, 2023, the employer did not resolve 2018 PHA recommendations to upgrade the emergency ventilation system in the Engine Room.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Abate by

May 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0170

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(e)(6): At least every five (5) years after the completion of the initial process hazard analysis, the process hazard analysis shall be updated and revalidated by a team meeting the requirements in paragraph (e)(4) of this section, to assure that the process hazard analysis is consistent with the current process:  On or about November 20, 2023, the employer did not update and revalidate the 2018 process hazard analysis (PHA) to assure that the process hazard analysis was consistent with the current process.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Penalty

Initial $10,775 · Current $6,044 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0170

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(g)(2): Refresher training shall be provided at least every three years, and more often, if necessary, to each employee involved in operating a process to assure that the employee understands and adheres to the current operating procedures of the process. The employer, in consultation with the employees involved in operating the process, shall determine the appropriate frequency of refresher training.  On or about November 20, 2023, the employer did not ensure that refresher training was provided at least every three years, and more often if necessary, to each employee involved in operating a process to assure that the employee understood and adhered to the current operating procedures of the process.  Employees operated and maintained an ammonia refrigeration system.  The refrigeration system contained approximately 50,038 pounds of ammonia.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Abate by

May 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $15,082 · Current $9,034 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0170

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(2)(xi): The emergency response plan did not address, to the extent not addressed elsewhere, personal protective equipment and emergency equipment:  On or about November 20, 2023, the emergency action plan did not include adequate procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate in that the plan did not specify how employees would be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment such as respiratory protection which would require an emergency response plan to be developed.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Abate by

May 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $10,775 · Current $6,044 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0170

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:  On or about November 20, 2023, the employer had not developed and implemented a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures for respirator use that included all provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix).  The employer required employees to wear elastomeric full-face tight-fitting respirators throughout their shifts while potentially exposed to ammonia. the program shall address the following:  1)  Procedures for selection of respirators; 2)  Medical evaluations for respirator use; 3)  Fit testing procedures; 4)  Procedures for proper use, cleaning, maintenance, and storage of respirators; 5)  Employee training; 6)  Procedures for regularly evaluating the respirator program.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Abate by

May 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0170

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:  On or about November 20, 2023, employees were required to wear elastomeric full face tight-fitting respirators throughout their shifts while potentially exposed to ammonia and the employer had not ensured employees facial hair did not interfere with the seal.