Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 Hazard: DUST&FUMES

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 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: (a)Ice Bagging Plant, On or about January 5, 2000, employees were exposed to an "asphyxiation" hazard when a relief valve attached to the coils of a roof mounted (Penthouse) Frick Freezer Unit actuated during the defrost cycle, allowing anhydrous ammonia to vent to the atmosphere. The ammonia vapors travel down into the ice bagging operation causing employees working in the area respiratory distress. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to insure that evaporative condenser relief system comply with the minimum design criteria outlined in ANSI/IIAR 2 - 1992, "Equipment, Design, and Installation of Mechanical Refrigerating Systems," Section 3.4.2 "Design Criteria," which require a minimum system design pressure of 250 psig for pressure retaining components associated with the evaporative condenser. PLEASE NOTE: CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF ABATEMENT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS VIOLATION.