OSHA Inspection: JOSEPH'S FOOD PRODUCTS COMPANY INC.

Issued

2025-03-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-04-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $65027.00 · Current $32650.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(a): Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers was not provided, used, and/or maintained.   a.  On or about January 31, 2025, in the cart cleaning room, employees were exposed to hot water and sanitizing chemicals.  The employer failed to require employees use protective arm and body protection to protect employees from burns.  The Joseph's Food Products Company Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.132(a), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1693370, citation number 1, item number 1(a) and was affirmed as a final order on December 22, 2023, with respect to a workplace located at 2759 South 25th Avenue, Broadview, IL 60155.

Issued

2025-03-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-04-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1): The employer did not provide training to each employee who is required by this section to use personal protective equipment:   a. On or about January 31, 2025, in the facility, employees were not trained to know at least the following:   1. What PPE is necessary,  2. When PPE is necessary,  3. How to properly don, doff, adjust and wear the PPE,  4. The limitations of PPE, and  5. The proper care, maintenance useful life and disposal of the PPE.   Employee exposures included, but was not limited to, hot water, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide.  The Joseph's Food Products Company Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.132(f)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1693370, citation number 1, item number 1 c and was affirmed as a final order on December 22, 2023, with respect to a workplace located at 2757 South 25th Avenue, Broadview, IL 60155.

Issued

2025-03-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-05-12 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $78029.00 · Current $50000.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9135

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 5, 2025, in mixing room 3, an employee required to perform mixing operations was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average of 76 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) approximately 5 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.  b) On or about February 5, 2025, in the mixing room 2, an employee required to perform mixing operations was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average of 56 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) approximately 3.7 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.  c) On or about February 5, 2025, in the mixing room 1, an employee required to perform mixing operations was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average of 31milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) approximately 2.1 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.  The Joseph's Food Products Company Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.134(e)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1693370, citation number 1, item number 2 c and was affirmed as a final order on December 22, 2023, with respect to a workplace located at 2759 South 25th Avenue, Broadview, IL 60155.

Issued

2025-03-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-05-12 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator:  a) On or about February 5, 2025, in mixing room 3, an employee required to perform mixing operations was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average of 76 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) approximately 5 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 to the initial use of the respirator(s), thereby exposing employees to respiratory system illnesses.      b) On or about February 5, 2025, in the mixing room 2, an employee required to perform mixing operations was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average of 56 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) approximately 3.7 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 to the initial use of the respirator(s), thereby exposing employees to respiratory system illnesses.      c) On or about February 5, 2025, in the mixing room 1, an employee required to perform mixing operations was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average of 31milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) approximately 2.1 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 to the initial use of the respirator(s), thereby exposing employees to respiratory system illnesses.      The Joseph's Food Products Company Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.134(f)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1693370, citation number 1, item number 2d and was affirmed as a final order on December 22, 2023, with respect to a workplace located at 2759 South 25th Avenue, Broadview, IL 60155.

Issued

2025-03-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-05-12 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(k)(1):The employer did not provide respirator training that would ensure each employee could demonstrate knowledge of items in section (i)-(vii):  a) On or about February 5, 2025, in mixing room 3, an employee required to perform mixing operations was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average of 76 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) approximately 5 times the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 (mg/m3). The employer did not ensure that each employee could demonstrate knowledge of the required training elements of the standard including, but not limited to, why respiratory protection is necessary, factors that compromise protection, proper fit, proper use, limitations and capabilities, change schedules, emergency use, inspection, maintenance and/or storage, general requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134, and how to recognize medical signs and symptoms.  b) On or about February 5, 2025, in the mixing room 2, an employee required to perform mixing operations was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average of 56 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) approximately 3.7 times the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 (mg/m3). The employer did not ensure that each employee could demonstrate knowledge of the required training elements of the standard including, but not limited to, why respiratory protection is necessary, factors that compromise protection, proper fit, proper use, limitations and capabilities, change schedules, emergency use, inspection, maintenance and/or storage, general requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134, and how to recognize medical signs and symptoms.  c) On or about February 5, 2025, in the mixing room 1, an employee required to perform mixing operations was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average of 31milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) approximately 2.1 times the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 (mg/m3). The employer did not ensure that each employee could demonstrate knowledge of the required training elements of the standard including, but not limited to, why respiratory protection is necessary, factors that compromise protection, proper fit, proper use, limitations and capabilities, change schedules, emergency use, inspection, maintenance and/or storage, general requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134, and how to recognize medical signs and symptoms.  The Joseph's Food Products Company Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.134(k)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1693370, citation number 1, item number 2e and was affirmed as a final order on December 22, 2023, with respect to a workplace located at 2759 South 25th Avenue, Broadview, IL 60155.

Issued

2025-03-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-05-12 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $78029.00 · Current $50000.00 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 (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 5, 2025, an employee [mixer, Room 1] was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 31 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) of particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), approximately 2 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level was derived from samples collected over a xx-minute sampling period with zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 135 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 5, 2025, an employee [mixer, Room 2] was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 56 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) of particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), approximately 3.73 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level was derived from samples collected over a 380-minute sampling period with zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 100 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 5, 2025, an employee [mixer, Room 3] was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 76 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) of particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), approximately 5 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level was derived from samples collected over a 360-minute sampling period with zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 120 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 5, 2025, an employee [mixer, Room 4] was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 36 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) of particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), approximately 2.4 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level was derived from samples collected over a 377-minute sampling period with zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 103 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.  (e)  On February 5, 2025, an employee [mixer, Room 5] was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 39 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) of particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), approximately 2.6 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level was derived from samples collected over a 347-minute sampling period with zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 133 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.  (f)  On February 5, 2025, an employee [mixer, Room 1] was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 46 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) of particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), approximately 3 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level was derived from samples collected over a 334-minute sampling period with zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 146 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.  (g)  On February 5, 2025, an employee [mixer, Room 4] was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 21 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) of particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), approximately 1.4 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level was derived from samples collected over a 377-minute sampling period with zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 145 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.  (h)  On February 5, 2025, an employee [mixer, Room 2] was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 87 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) of particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), approximately 5.8 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level was derived from samples collected over a 353-minute sampling period with zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 127 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.  The Joseph's Food Products Company Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.1000(a)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection 1693370,  citation number 1, item number 3a and was affirmed as a final order on December 22, 2023, with respect to a workplace located at 2759 South 25th Avenue, Broadview, IL 60155.

Issued

2025-03-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-05-12 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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 5, 2025, in the mixing room(s), employees were required to add food ingredients to a hopper(s) and containers which were subsequently transferred to a ribbon blender. Employees required to perform mixing operations were exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust) at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average of 21 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) to 87 mg/m3, approximately 1.4 to 5.8 times the OSHA PEL of 15 (mg/m3).   In the mixing room(s), general methods of control applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following:   1. Provide training to employees on measures to be used to minimize dust generation while handling product and compressing empty containers (bags).   2. Implement engineering controls including the installation of a dust collection system to be used for collecting particulates generated during the process of loading the portable hopper(s) and compression of empty containers (bags) for disposal.   3. Provide local exhaust where powders are handled to remove fugitive particulates from the employee breathing zone.  4. Prohibit cleanup of settled dust particles by use of compressed air.  5. Administratively limit the amount of time a worker is required to perform blending operations.  The Joseph's Food Products Company Inc.)was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.1000(e), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1693370, citation number 1, item number 3b and was affirmed as a final order on December 22, 2023, with respect to a workplace located at 2759 South 25th Avenue, Broadview, IL 60155.