Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CHEMNEP

The employer's process hazard analysis does not address the hazards of the process: 29 CFR 1910.119(e)(3)(i): The process hazard analysis did not address the hazards of the process: UPSTATE NIAGARA COOPERATIVE, INC. WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD OR ITS EQUIVALENT STANDARD, WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 312535800, CITATION NO.1, ITEM NO.2, AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON 02/13/09, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 1730 DALE ROAD CHEEKTOWAGA, NY, 14225. A recent example of this occurred on 10/25/11 and prior, when: a) Throughout the facility, Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) for Ammonia Refrigeration System (dated 2009 and 9/15/2011) did not evaluate hazards associated with oil draining from process equipment such as, but not limited to: Oil Pot from Control Pressure Receiver, Oil Pot from Jacket Cooler, High Pressure Receiver Drain point, Ice Builder #1 Drain Point, and Milk CT#2 Drain Point. Oil draining hazards such as, but not limited to: accidentally leaving valves open that could result on discharge of Ammonia from vessels/piping or trapping Ammonia between two valves causing vessels/piping rupture could exposed employees to toxic Ammonia. b) Throughout the facility, Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) for Ammonia Refrigeration System (dated 2009 and 9/15/2011) did not evaluate employees exposure to toxic Ammonia and explosion hazards due to an inadequate ventilation system and the use of general purpose electrical equipment/wiring inside the Ammonia Compressors/Engine room. c) Throughout the facility, Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) for Ammonia Refrigeration System (dated 2009 and 9/15/2011) did not evaluate employees exposure to toxic Ammonia while performing maintenance tasks on the roof and other equipment's platforms located near to the discharge of relief piping from Pressure Relief Valves (PRVs) such as, but not limited to: RV 1611, RV 1612, RV 1613, RV 1120, RV 1121, RV 1122, RV 1677, RV 1678, RV 1679, RV 2095, RV 2096, RV 2097. To abate this violation, the employer shall include in their Process Hazard Analysis, the hazards of the process that could expose employees to Ammonia and explosion, such as, but not limited to: Oil Draining, Ventilation Requirements and Relief Piping Discharge Locations. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19(d), the employer must submit documents describing the steps it is taking to ensure compliance, within 30 days of the date it receives this citation. ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED