OSHA Inspection: RIVERA POWER WASHING LLC.

Issued

May 2, 2025

Abate by

Jun 20, 2025

Penalty

Initial $4,965 · Current $3,188 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(iii): The employer did not identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace; including a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazards and identification of the contaminant's chemical state and physical form:  At the worksite located at 752 NE 72nd Street in Galt, Missouri 64641, on December 9, 2024, at times prior and following: The employer did not identify and evaluate the respiratory hazards associated with pressure washing  inside hog barns. Employees were exposed to manure particulates released during power washing activities and to toxic and asphyxiant gases and vapors  including but not limited to methane, carbon monoxide, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide, which are released into barns during pumping of manure pits prior to power washing activities. On December 9, 2024, an employee fatality occurred when the employee entered a barn with a lethal airborne concentration of hydrogen sulfide.

Issued

May 2, 2025

Abate by

Jun 20, 2025

Penalty

Initial $4,256 · Current $2,732 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(b): There was neither an infirmary, clinic, or hospital used for the treatment of all injured employees in near proximity to the workplace nor a person or persons adequately trained to render first aid:  At the worksite located at 752 NE 72nd Street in Galt, Missouri 64641, on December 9, 2024, at times prior and following: Employees are assigned to work at remote locations with limited means of communication and lengthy response times by first responders. In the course of their work, employees are exposed to hazards including but not limited to: toxic and asphyxiant gases and vapors, contact with irritant chemicals, trips/falls and lacerations.  The employer did not ensure that a person trained to render first aid was present at each worksite to assist workers in the event of an injury.

Issued

May 2, 2025

Abate by

Jun 20, 2025

Penalty

Initial $4,256 · Current $2,732 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1340

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program that included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):  At the hog farm located at 752 NE 72nd Street in Galt, Missouri 64641, on December 12, 2024, and at times prior: Employees were exposed to chemicals including but not limited to Synergize (skin/eye/respiratory irritation, dermatitis), fuel(skin/eye/respiratory irritation, dermatitis), toxic and asphyxiant gases including but not limited to hydrogen sulfide, methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and ammonia (nausea, as well as chronic and acute respiratory illnesses, with more severe effects with exposures to higher concentrations) released by decomposing manure in waste pits under hog barns. The employer has not implemented the required elements of a hazard communication program.

Issued

May 2, 2025

Abate by

Jun 20, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8):  The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical, and did not ensure that they were readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they were in their work area(s):  At the hog farm located at 752 NE 72nd Street in Galt, Missouri 64641, on December 12, 2024, at times prior: The employer did not maintain or provide access to the required safety data sheets for the chemicals used in the workplace. Employees are exposed to chemicals including but not limited to Synergize, fuel, as well as toxic and asphyxiant gases released during the pumping out manure operation.

Issued

May 2, 2025

Abate by

Jun 20, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1340

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:   At the hog farm located at 752 NE 72nd Street in Galt, Missouri 64641, on December 12, 2024, at times prior: Employees were exposed to chemicals including but not limited to Synergize, fuel, and toxic and asphyxiant gases released by manure. The employer has failed to provide training about hazardous chemicals encountered in the workplace to his employees.

Issued

May 2, 2025

Penalty

Initial $3,547 · Current $2,277 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.39(a)(1): The employer did not report within 8-hours the death of an employee resulting from a work-related incident:  At the hog farm located at 752 NE 72nd Street in Galt, Missouri 64641, on December 9, 2024: The employer failed to notify OSHA of a work-related fatality within 8 hours. The employer failed to notify OSHA of the incident at any time after emergency services declared victim deceased at the scene.  On December 11, 2024, the Kansas City OSHA Area Office received a notification of the incident from a third party.

Issued

May 2, 2025

Abate by

Jun 20, 2025

Penalty

Initial $398 · Current $264 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(i): Respirator users were not provided with the information contained in Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134 when the employer determined that any voluntary respirator use was permissible:  At the hog farm located at 752 NE 72nd Street in Galt, Missouri 64641, on December 12, 2024, at times prior: The employer exposed employees to physiological burdens presented by wearing a respirator, as well as particulates and organic vapors  released by manure during work in hog confinement barns.  The employer provided employees with N95 respirators for voluntary use; however, he did not provide a copy of Appendix D of the respiratory protection standard or equivalent information.