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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment that 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 toxic anhydrous ammonia inhalation hazards in the event of an uncontrolled release originating from the ammonia machinery room: Machinery room - On or about November 8, 2011, employees were not adequately protected against the potential release of anhydrous ammonia in that: a)The machinery room was not isolated from other work areas to prevent the migration of anhydrous ammonia b)There was not sufficient means to warn employees working throughout the facility in the event of an ammonia release Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods to control these hazards are to adhere to the safe design, installation, and operation of anhydrous ammonia refrigeration systems as prescribed by ANSI/ASHRAE 15-2007, "Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems", specifically: a.Separate the space containing the refrigeration machinery from other occupancies by tight construction with tight fitting, self-closing fire doors. (Section 8.11.2) b.Install an ammonia detector set to alarm at a value not greater than the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH), Threshhold Limit Value (TLV), time-weighted average (TWA) (currently 35 ppm) and that actuates a visual and audible alarm that warns both inside and outside each entrance to the machinery room. (Section 8.11.2.1) c.Provide legible permanent signs, securely attached and easily accessible, reading "Machinery Room - Authorized Personnel Only", communicating that entry is forbidden except by personnel trained in emergency procedures invoked by activation of the ammonia alarm. (Section 8.11.8) d.Tightly seal pipes piercing the interior walls of the machinery room to the walls, ceiling or floor through which they pass. (Section 8.12) e.Install equipment to provide inlet air to replace that being exhausted. (Section 8.11.4) f.Ensure there is no airflow to or from an occupied space through a machinery room unless the air is ducted and sealed in such a manner as to prevent any refrigerant leakage from entering the airstream. (Section 8.11.7) ***Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c)***