OSHA Inspection: DUTCH-AMERICAN FOODS, INC.

Issued

Apr 23, 2024

Abate by

Jul 1, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,218 · Current $9,000 Reduced

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 February 29, 2024, in the blending rooms, employees required to work in the rooms were exposed to Particulates, Not Otherwise Regulated (PNOR), Total Dust, at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average of 19.5 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) to 26 mg/m3, approximately 1.3 to 1.7 times the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3.  The employer had not ensured that each employee required to wear respiratory protection had been provided with a medical evaluation.

Issued

Apr 23, 2024

Abate by

Jul 1, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(f)(2):  The employer did not ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting respirator was fit tested prior to initial use, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, make or model) was used, and at least annually thereafter.  a)  On or about February 29, 2024, in the blending rooms, employees required to work in the rooms were exposed to Particulates, Not Otherwise Regulated (PNOR), Total Dust, at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average of 19.5 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) to 26 mg/m3, approximately 1.3 to 1.7 times the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3.  The employer failed to ensure an employee required to use respiratory protection was provided with a fit test prior to the initial use of the respirator(s), thereby exposing employee to respiratory system illnesses.  b)  On or about February 29, 2024, in the blending rooms, employees required to work in the rooms were exposed to Particulates, Not Otherwise Regulated (PNOR), Total Dust, at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average of 19.5 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) to 26 mg/m3, approximately 1.3 to 1.7 times the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3.  The employer failed to ensure employees required to use respiratory protection were provided with a fit test prior annually, thereby exposing employees to respiratory system illnesses.

Issued

Apr 23, 2024

Abate by

Jun 10, 2024

Penalty

Initial $46,090 · Current $9,500 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(a)(2): Employee(s) were exposed to an airborne concentration of Particulates, Not Otherwise Regulated (PNOR), Total Dust, listed in Table Z-1 in excess of the 8-hour Time-Weighted Average concentration of 15 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3).    (a)  On February 29, 2024, an employee [Production Laborer] was exposed to an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 26 milligrams per meter (mg/m3) cubed for Particulates, Not Otherwise Regulated (PNOR), Total Dust, approximately 1.7 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level was derived from samples collected over a 445-minute sampling period with zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 35 minutes.  The limit is established to prevent employees from suffering adverse health effects such as target organ damage to the eyes, skin or respiratory system.  (b)  On February 29, 2024, an employee [Blender Assistant] was exposed to an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 24.2 milligrams per meter (mg/m3) cubed for Particulates, Not Otherwise Regulated (PNOR), Total Dust, approximately 1.6 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level was derived from samples collected over a 464-minute sampling period with zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 16 minutes.  The limit is established to prevent employees from suffering adverse health effects such as target organ damage to the eyes, skin or respiratory system.  (c)  On February 29, 2024, an employee [Lead Blender] was exposed to an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 23.4 milligrams per meter (mg/m3) cubed for Particulates, Not Otherwise Regulated (PNOR), Total Dust, approximately 1.56 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level was derived from samples collected over a 468-minute sampling period with zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 12 minutes.  The limit is established to prevent employees from suffering adverse health effects such as target organ damage to the eyes, skin or respiratory system.  (d)  On February 29, 2024, an employee [Lead Bagger] was exposed to an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 19.5 milligrams per meter (mg/m3) cubed for Particulates, Not Otherwise Regulated (PNOR), Total Dust, approximately 1.3 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level was derived from samples collected over a 389-minute sampling period with zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 91 minutes.  The limit is established to prevent employees from suffering adverse health effects such as target organ damage to the eyes, skin or respiratory system.  Dutch-American Foods, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1446174, citation number 1, item number 1a and was affirmed as a final order on May 4, 2020, with respect to a workplace located at 25393 Dixie Highway, Crete, IL 60417.

Issued

Apr 23, 2024

Abate by

Jun 10, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(e): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not determined and implemented to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d):  a. On or about February 29, 2024, in the blending room(s), employees were required to add products to blender(s) and conduct cleaning operations.  Employees required to work in the blending operations were exposed to Particulates, Not Otherwise Regulated (PNOR), Total Dust, at a Time Weighted Average of 19.5 - 24.2 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3), approximately 1.3 - 1.7 times the OSHA PEL of 15 mg/m3.     In the blending room(s), general methods of control applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following:    1.  Implement engineering controls including the installation of dust collection system(s) to be used for collecting particulates generated during the process of loading the blender(s) and compression of empty containers (bags) for disposal.   2.  Provide effective local exhaust where powders are handled to remove fugitive particulates from the breathing zone of employees.  3.  Prohibit cleanup of settled dust particles by use of compressed air.  4.  Provide additional employee training on measures to be used to minimize dust generation while handling product and compressing empty containers (bags).   5.  Administratively limit the amount of time a worker is required to perform blending operations.  Dutch-American Foods, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1446174, citation number 1, item number 1b and was affirmed as a final order on May 4, 2020, with respect to a workplace located at 25393 Dixie Highway, Crete, IL 60417.