Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 003 Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.38(e): Training. An employer must designate and train employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of other employees. On or about July 17, 2021, the employer had not trained supervisors and other designated employees in the safe and orderly evacuation of the facility during an emergency when the gas pipe to the overhead dock heater in the ARG packaging area developed a gas leak after being struck by a powered industrial truck, in that: (a) Employees exited through door S2 at the direction of their supervisor as it was the closest exit to the outdoor rally points for the ARG Packaging area, even though the source of the gas leak was at the overhead garage door nearest location S2, and the exit door was not shielded from the hazards of a gas leak and potential fire or explosion. (b) Some unidentified employees were observed by their co-workers lighting cigarettes as soon as they exited through the ARG overhead door while the gas leak was occurring. (c) Some employees were left at their workstations and were not notified in a timely manner of the gas leak and the need to evacuate until the gas could be turned off. (d) Kenny Sprow, senior EHS manager, Taylor Guntle, maintenance supervisor, and two maintenance employees monitored the air with four gas meters while they searched for the shut off for the gas. It took approximately 15 minutes to determine they could not find the correct shut off and approximately 45 minutes to trace the gas line from inside the building and on the roof to locate the correct shut off valve. No members of management or EHS employees activated the alarms to have employees evacuate during that time.