OSHA Inspection: SOFO FOODS OF OHIO, LLC

Issued

Jun 11, 2026

Abate by

Jul 21, 2026

Penalty

Initial $14,188 · Current $7,094 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0170

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(e)(3)(iii): The process hazard analysis did not address engineering and administrative controls applicable to the hazards and their interrelationships such as appropriate application of detection methodologies to provide early warning of releases.  SOFO Foods of Ohio, LLC located at 253 Waggoner Boulevard in Toledo, Ohio;  On or about February 20, 2026, the employer did not ensure the process hazard analysis (PHA) addressed the engineering and administrative controls needed to monitor and detect ammonia levels within the engine room to prevent entry at concentrations at or above IDLH, immediately dangerous to life and health. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with ammonia concentrations at or above 300 ppm include, but not limited to, irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), wheezing, chest pain, pulmonary edema, skin burns (frostbite), and death.

Issued

Jun 11, 2026

Abate by

Jul 21, 2026

Penalty

Initial $14,188 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0170

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(e)(3)(iv): The process hazard analysis did not address the consequences of the failure of engineering and administrative controls.  SOFO Foods of Ohio, LLC located at 253 Waggoner Boulevard in Toledo, Ohio;  On or about February 20, 2026, the employer did not ensure the process hazard analysis (PHA) addressed the consequences of failure of administrative controls. The E/A control and safe guards identified under Human Factors: Training/Education, trained operator, within the company's PHA were not met. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with ammonia concentrations at or above 300 ppm including, but not limited to, irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), wheezing, chest pain, pulmonary edema, skin burns (frostbite), and death.

Issued

Jun 11, 2026

Abate by

Jul 21, 2026

Penalty

Initial $14,188 · Current $7,094 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0170

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(g)(1)(i): The employer did train each employee before being involved in operating a newly assigned process in the operating procedures as specified in paragraph (f) of this section.   SOFO Foods of Ohio, LLC located at 253 Waggoner Boulevard in Toledo, Ohio; On or about February 20, 2026, the employer did not ensure employees involved in operating the process and in operating procedures including emphasis on emergency shut down operations. Employees tasked with performing emergency shutdown procedures were not provided with training to properly identify, access, and isolate lines under emergency conditions. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with ammonia concentrations at or above 300 ppm including, but not limited to, irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), wheezing, chest pain, pulmonary edema, skin burns (frostbite), and death.

Issued

Jun 11, 2026

Abate by

Jul 21, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0170

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.120(q)(6)(iii): Employees who participated as hazardous materials technicians, or were expected to participate as hazardous materials technicians, had not received at least 24 hours of training equal to the first responder operations level, and in addition have competency in the areas outlined in 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(iii)(A) through (q)(6)(iii)(I) and/or the employer did not so certify:  SOFO Foods of Ohio, LLC located at 253 Waggoner Boulevard in Toledo, Ohio;  On or about February 20, 2026, the employer did not ensure employees who were tasked with responding to releases or potential releases for the purpose of stopping the release were provided with training at the hazardous materials technician level with at least 24 hours of training equal to the first responder operation level. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with anhydrous ammonia such as, but not limited to, irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), wheezing, chest pain, pulmonary edema, and skin burns (frostbite) when entering the engine room to assess an ammonia release and isolate the release if possible.

Issued

Jun 11, 2026

Penalty

Initial $7,235 · Current $3,618 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:  SOFO Foods of Ohio, LLC located at 253 Waggoner Boulevard in Toledo, Ohio;  On or about February 20, 2026 the employer did not ensure employees required to wear a loose-fitting respirator were provided with medical evaluations to determine the employee's ability to wear a respirator. A 3M Versaflo Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) equipped with an ammonia/methylamine gas cartridge was required to be worn by employees to perform tasks such as, but not limited to non-IDLH maintenance activities, controlled troubleshooting, small nonresponding ammonia releases verified as non-IDLH, and other hazard-assessed airborne tasks as approved by the program administrator. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with wearing a loose-fitting respirator such as, but not limited to, aggravation of pulmonary issues, such as asthma, emphysema, and aggravate claustrophobia, all contributing to negative health effects.

Issued

Jun 11, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0170

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(k)(3): Training was not provided prior to requiring employees to use a respirator in the workplace:  SOFO Foods of Ohio, LLC located at 253 Waggoner Boulevard in Toledo, Ohio;  On or about February 20, 2026 the employer did not provide effective training to employees prior to being required to don loose fitting respirators. A 3M Versaflo Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) equipped with an ammonia/methylamine gas cartridge was required to be worn by employees to perform tasks such as, but not limited to non-IDLH maintenance activities, controlled troubleshooting, small nonresponding ammonia releases verified as non-IDLH, and other hazard-assessed airborne tasks as approved by the program administrator. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with anhydrous ammonia such as, but not limited to, irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), wheezing, chest pain, pulmonary edema, and skin burns (frostbite).

Issued

Jun 11, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0170

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(d)(3)(iii)(B)(2): The employer did not implement a change schedule for respirators not equipped with an End of Service Life Indicator that would ensure cartridges were changed before the end of their service life:  SOFO Foods of Ohio, LLC located at 253 Waggoner Boulevard in Toledo, Ohio;  On or about February 20, 2026 the employer did not implement a change schedule for cartridges to ensure cartirdges are changed before the end of their service life. A 3M Versaflo Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) equipped with an ammonia/methylamine gas cartridge was required to be worn by employees to perform tasks such as, but not limited to non-IDLH maintenance activities, controlled troubleshooting, small nonresponding ammonia releases verified as non-IDLH, and other hazard-assessed airborne tasks as approved by the program administrator. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with anhydrous ammonia such as, but not limited to, irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), wheezing, chest pain, pulmonary edema, and skin burns (frostbite).