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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazards of accidental release of ammonia liquid and gas: At the Facility - The following conditions contributed to the potential release of ammonia: Ammonia Refrigeration System, Outside Raw Milk Storage Tanks - Safety relief valves did not release to a safe location. Pipe hangers were corroded; an ammonia regulator was corroded; and insulation was not protected from moisture and adequately covered. Engine Room - Equipment alarms (safety interlocks) were not tested periodically, e.g., at least annually. Ammonia System - An inspection program for ammonia piping and insulation had not been instituted that included: 1)Corrosion under insulation inspections by spot removal of insulation, and 2)Thickness testing of piping. The employer did not verify that the design, construction, inspection, testing and maintenance of the ammonia refrigeration system, including the methods and frequency of inspection, testing and maintenance, met IIAR (International Institute for Ammonia Refrigeration) industry consensus standards or similarly recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices for ammonia refrigeration systems. Feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard include: venting relief valves to a safe location, applying corrosion protection, inspection, testing, and maintenance of equipment according to recognized ammonia refrigeration standards.