Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: BURNS

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that: employees were exposed to inhalation and burn hazards resulting from an uncontrolled release of anhydrous ammonia. (a)Anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system, on or about 7/1/09: Refrigeration system was not adequately designed, installed, and maintained to protect employees from an uncontrolled release of anhydrous ammonia vapor. Abatement note: Among others, one feasible means of abatement for this hazard is to ensure that the anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system complies with the requirements of ANSI/ASHRAE-15 1994, Safety Code for Mechanical Refrigeration and ASME/IIAR 2-2008, Equipment, Design, and Installation of Closed-Circuit Ammonia Mechanical Refrigerating Systems, and ensure the following conditions are corrected: *Safety relief valve discharge pipe on high pressure ammonia receiver did not extend above the roofline and was not located a distance of at least 20 feet from any window or ventilation opening; pipe discharge was located just outside open window(s) in the production area (IIAR-2 2008, section 11.3.6.3). *Penetrations/pipe runs through walls were not sealed to prevent passage of escaping refrigerant to other parts of the building (IIAR-2 2008, section 13.3.1.9). *Compressor room exhaust ventilation fan discharge on exterior wall was located several feet below open window(s) in the production area (IIAR-2 2008, section 13.2.3.11). *Valves and controls in compressor room were not identified with durable signs having letters more than 0.5 inch in height designating: valves or switches for controlling refrigerant flow, ventilation, and compressor(s) (ASHRAE 15, section 11.2.2). *Two self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) were not located immediately outside of the compressor room (ASHRAE 15, section 11.6). *Emergency shutdown procedures, including precautions to be observed in case of a breakdown or leak, were not displayed on a card or sign located as near as possible to the refrigerant compressor(s) (ASHRAE 15, section 11.8). *Welded repairs to refrigerant piping were not done to appropriate specifications (IIAR-2 2008, section 10.1). Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19(c), the employer must provide certification to OSHA that this violation has been abated within 10 calendar days of the "Date by which Violation Must be Abated".