Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 005 Hazard:

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish the employees 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 potentially exposed to chemical burns and inhalation hazards from an uncontrolled release of anhydrous ammonia: a) Facility - Ammonia Refrigeration System: On or about 02/02/2017, the employer did not take preventative measures to limit corrosion of ammonia refrigeration system piping and equipment, exposing employees to chemical burns and inhalation hazards in the event of an uncontrolled release of anhydrous ammonia from system piping/equipment. Corrosion and ice build-up were visible throughout the system. Inspection and testing procedures were not developed and implemented to evaluate the mechanical integrity of ammonia refrigeration system piping and equipment, as recommended in industry standards such as, but not limited to, IIAR B110 - 2007, Section 6.7. b) Facility - Ammonia Refrigeration System Compressors: On or about 02/02/2017, the employer did not take preventative measures to ensure that the 3 6x6 Frick compressors (built in 1915, 1935, and 1950 respectively) were maintained in good working order, exposing employees to chemical burns and inhalation hazards in the event of an uncontrolled release of anhydrous ammonia. Adequate inspection and testing procedures were not being used to establish a schedule for replacing worn compressor components prior to failure, as recommended in industry standards such as, but not limited to, IIAR B110 - 2007, Section 6.3. c) On or about 02/02/2017, an employee was potentially exposed to chemical burns and inhalation hazards in the event of an uncontrolled release of anhydrous ammonia, because the ventilation system in the machine room was not designed to automatically activate when the ammonia leak detection alarm is triggered, and the manual control switch for the ventilation system was located inside the machine room, contrary to the recommendation of industry standards such as but not limited to IIAR 2-2014, Section 6.14.7.2. d) Facility - Throughout: On or about 02/02/2017, employees in other areas of the facility were exposed to inhalation hazards in the event of an uncontrolled release of anhydrous ammonia within the machine room when the employer did not ensure that the machine room doors that communicated to the building interior were self-closing and tight-fitting, as recommended in industry standards such as, but not limited to, IIAR 2-2014, Section 6.10.2.