OSHA Inspection: CHEESE MERCHANTS OF AMERICA L.L.C.

Issued

2024-08-06 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-08-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16131.00 · Current $8066.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(i)(2)(i): The employer did not ensure that hearing protectors were being worn by any employees who are required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section to wear personal protective equipment.  (a) Dry Line 51 & 53 - On or about April 17th, 2024, employees were exposed to high noise levels equivalent or exceeding the 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) of 90 dBA and the employer did not ensure that hearing protectors were being worn by any employees who are required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section to wear personal protective equipment.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

2024-08-06 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-08-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16131.00 · Current $8066.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(k)(1):The employer shall train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time weighted average of 85 dBA in accordance with the requirements of this section.  The employer shall institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program.  (a) Dry Line 51 & 53 - On or about April 17th, 2024, employees were exposed to high noise levels equivalent or exceeding the 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) of 90 dBA and the employer did not ensure training was provided on various elements of a hearing conservation program such as, but not limited to, the effects of noise, hearing protection, and audiometric testing.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

2024-08-06 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-08-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12676.00 · Current $6338.00 Reduced

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:  (a) Dry Department - On or about April 17th, 2024, the employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of Lockout Tagout Procedure (Roto Chill Line 51) within the past year thereby exposing employees to mechanical hazards.  Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

2024-08-06 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-08-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12676.00 · Current $6338.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide adequate training to ensure that employees acquired the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage and removal of energy control devices:  (a) Dry Department - On or about April 17th, 2024, the employer did not ensure that all employees were trained to isolate hazardous energy sources prior to engaging in servicing and maintenance activities. The employee(s) did not have the knowledge and skills to first shut down and lock out electrical energy sources, exposing employees to amputation injuries. Employees were exposed to the ingoing nip-point created by the Line 51 conveyor system.  Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

2024-08-06 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12676.00 · Current $6338.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d): The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) did not cover the actions listed in and was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6):  (1) prepare for shutdown, (2) shut down machine or equipment, (3) physically locate and operate energy isolating devices in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source, (4) affix lockout or tagout devices to each energy isolating device by authorized employee, (5) relieve, disconnect, restrain or otherwise render safe all stored or residual energy, (6) verify that isolation and de-energization of the machine or equipment have been accomplished:  (a) Dry Department - On or about April 17th, 2024, the employer did not ensure that employees implemented energy control application steps prior to allowing them to perform service and maintenance tasks on the ROTO Chill Line 51, such as cleaning. The ROTO Chill Line 51 was not shut down or turned off prior to an employee engaging in this servicing and maintenance activity, exposing them to pinch/nip point hazards and amputation injuries.   Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

2024-08-06 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-08-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12676.00 · Current $6338.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks. Examples of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc.   (a) Dry Department - On or about April 17th, 2024, employees were exposed to the amputation hazards created by the Roto Chill Line 51. The equipment was not adequately guarded in order to prevent employees from getting their fingers inside the ingoing nip-points created by the belt conveyor.  Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

2024-08-06 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(d)(3): Repeat employee exposure monitoring was not performed whenever a change in production, process, equipment or controls increases noise exposure:   On or about April 17th, 2024, employees working in the cheese drying department, were exposed to high noise levels equivalent or exceeding the 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) of 85 dBA and the employer did not repeat employee exposure monitoring was not performed whenever a change in production, process, equipment or controls increases noise exposure, such as the installation of the new conveyor systems within the past 5 years.  (a) Dry Line 51 & 53 - On or about April 17th, 2024, a general laborer was exposed to noise at 173.3% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 91.6 dBA, as measured over 666 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 94.0 accounting for the period of 0 minutes not monitored.  (b) Dry Line 51 & 53 - On or about April 17th, 2024, a general laborer was exposed to noise at 140.1% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 90.7 dBA, as measured over 667 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 92.4 accounting for the period of 0 minutes not monitored.  (c) Room 2, Line 4 - On or about April 17th, 2024, an operator  was exposed to noise at 78.66% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 85.5 dBA, as measured over 706 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 88.3 accounting for the period of 0 minutes not monitored.  (d) Line 1 - On or about April 17th, 2024, an operator  was exposed to noise at 84.03% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 86.2 dBA, as measured over 687 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 88.8 accounting for the period of 0 minutes not monitored.  No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.