Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 008 Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(5): The employer did not correct deficiencies in equipment that were outside acceptable limits (defined by the process safety information on paragraph (d) of this section) before use. At a worksite at 832 E 3rd Street, Milan, MO 6455: The employer failed to protect employees because the employer did not correct deficiencies in equipment that were outside of acceptable limits. This was last demonstrated on or about October 21, 2022, and at times prior to that. This hazardous condition exposed employees engaged in repairing, replacing, operating, inspecting, testing, and maintaining covered process equipment to toxic, cryogenic, and fire hazards in the event of an anhydrous ammonia release. a) A pressure gauge for the "13" compressor marked on PID-06 was not in good working order as it wasn't visible or legible, and had not been replaced, or taken out of service, nor had the employer taken any further steps to ensure safe operations. The gauge readings were not visible for equipment located on the HS4. b) An evaporator "45" in freezer #2 for the refrigeration system was not adequately maintained in those portions of system equipment, piping and its interconnected components were not kept free from excessive ice buildup. Ice was permitted to accumulate in quantities that could deflect or bend pipes, displace components, or negatively impact the system's structural integrity. c) An evaporator "33" in freezer #1 for the refrigeration system was not adequately maintained in those portions of system equipment, piping and its interconnected components were not kept free from excessive ice buildup. Ice was permitted to accumulate in quantities that could deflect or bend pipes, displace components, or negatively impact the system's structural integrity. d) In the engine room of the facility, the employer failed to adequately maintain equipment when the employer stored a pallet holding (3) 55-gallon drums, containing combustible refrigeration oil, in the engine room placed near the main entrance and exit route to the engine room. The presence of oil, a combustible material, within the engine room could enlarge a fire initiated by the ignition an ammonia vapor cloud within the engine room under the right conditions. e) In the engine room of the facility, the employer failed to adequately maintain equipment when the employer did not ensure that piping was insulated for piping and equipment surfaces not intended for heat exchange did not contain intact insulation, nor had it been treated, or otherwise protected to mitigate condensation and excessive frost buildup for the "BC4" Compressor where the surface temperature is below the dew point of the surrounding air during normal operation and in an area where condensation and frost could develop and become a hazard to occupants or cause damage to the structure, electrical equipment, or refrigeration system. f) In the engine room of the facility, the employer failed to adequately maintain equipment when the employer did not ensure that piping was insulated for piping and equipment surfaces not intended for heat exchange did not contain intact insulation, nor had it been treated, or otherwise protected to mitigate condensation and excessive frost buildup for the "HTR1" Vessel where the surface temperature is below the dew point of the surrounding air during normal operation and in an area where condensation and frost could develop and become a hazard to occupants or cause damage to the structure, electrical equipment, or refrigeration system. g) In the engine room of the facility, the employer failed to adequately maintain equipment when the employer did not ensure that piping was insulated for piping and equipment surfaces not intended for heat exchange did not contain intact insulation, nor had it been treated, or otherwise protected to mitigate condensation and excessive frost buildup for the "LTR1" Vessel where the surface temperature is below the dew point of the surrounding air during normal operation and in an area where condensation and frost could develop and become a hazard to occupants or cause damage to the structure, electrical equipment, or refrigeration system. h) A pressure relief valve "HPR-33" on the roof for the refrigeration system was not adequately maintained in those portions of system equipment, piping and its interconnected components where a pressure relief valve discharge termination to atmosphere was not less than 7.25 ft (2.2 m) above a roof that is occupied solely during service and inspection. In addition, there was a higher adjacent roof level within 20 ft (6.1 m) horizontal distance from the relief discharge, the discharge termination was also less than 7.25 ft (2.2 m) above the height of the higher adjacent roof. Ammonia vapor being discharged in the area could accumulate and become a hazard to occupants performing inspection of the equipment for the ammonia refrigeration system. i) An ammonia line "EQ" 3' marked on PID-01 was not in good working order as it was experiencing excessive corrosion and pitting, and had not been replaced, or taken out of service, nor had the employer taken any further steps to ensure safe operations. The piping is connected to the HPR and located under the EC-5 and EC-6 condensers.