OSHA Inspection: VALLIA FOODS, LLC

Issued

Feb 29, 2024

Abate by

Mar 21, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,421 · Current $6,211 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(14)(i): The employer did not protect each employee on the unprotected working side of a slaughtering facility platform that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level from falling by using one of the systems listed in 29 CFR 1910.28(b)(14)(i)(A)-(B).   On or about November 20, 2023, the employer failed to ensure that employees working from an elevated platform approximately 4.5ft above a lower level in the slaughter room were protected from falling.

Issued

Feb 29, 2024

Abate by

Mar 14, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,421 · Current $6,211 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:  a) On or about November 20, 2023, hazardous energy control procedures were not utilized during plate and blade inspections on the Hobart Grinder.   b) On or about November 20, 2023, hazardous energy control procedures were not utilized during blade inspections on the vertical bandsaw.

Issued

Feb 29, 2024

Abate by

Mar 14, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed:  Fabrication and Harvest Departments - Periodic evaluations of the employer's written hazardous energy control procedures were not performed at least once annually to ensure compliance with the requirements of this standard.   a) On or about November 27, 2023, the employer failed to ensure the periodic evaluation for the X-Travac was performed at least once annually.   b) On or about November 27, 2023, the employer failed to ensure the periodic evaluation for the Grinder(s) in fabrication was performed at least once annually.

Issued

Feb 29, 2024

Abate by

Mar 14, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(8): Lockout or tagout was not performed only by the authorized employees who are performing the servicing or maintenance:  a) Packaging area - Packaging employees performed maintenance and servicing activities on the Rose Star packaging machine (Model RS420c) such as, but not limited to, sanitation activities. On or about November 27, 2023, cleaning activities were performed on the Rose Star and used the lock of another individual. Employees are potentially exposed to the unexpected startup of the equipment due to the lack of exclusive control.   b) Packaging area - Bandsaw operators performed maintenance and servicing activities, such as, but not limited to blade checks. On or about November 20, 2023, such activities were performed with the lock of another individual. Employees are potentially exposed to the unexpected startup of the equipment due to the lack of exclusive control.   c) Packaging area - Grinder operators performed maintenance and servicing activities, such as, but not limited to blade checks and plate checks. On or about November 20, 2023, such activities were performed with the lock of another individual. Employees are potentially exposed to the unexpected startup of the equipment due to the lack of exclusive control.

Issued

Feb 29, 2024

Abate by

Mar 14, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,421 · Current $6,211 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Point(s) of operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s):  On or about November 20, 2023, the employer failed to ensure that operators of the Hobart vertical band saw were protected from an amputation hazard created by the exposed section of the blade during cycles.

Issued

Feb 29, 2024

Abate by

Mar 14, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):  On or about November 20, 2023, the employer failed to develop and implement a written Hazard Communication Program and adhere to the requirements within. Hazardous chemicals such as, but not limited to Ammonia, No Carb NF, and FS Formula 4380. Hazardous chemicals on site are used as a refrigerant or cleaning agent as per food safety guidelines.