PSM and RMP Citations/Analysis

OSHA has cited a chemical plant with 12 serious, one repeat and one other-than-serious violations for exposing workers to multiple safety hazards while producing organic chemicals. OSHA’s Houston North Area Office initiated an inspection of the plant in January after receiving an employee complaint, and later expanded the inspection under the agency’s process safety management…...

This appears to be an inspection after an ammonia leak in a food processing area that impacted a contractor and food production workers.  A contractor drilled into what was thought to have been an “abandoned line” releasing the ammonia.  The leak was on 12/3/11 and the inspection began on 12/12/11.  Some very enlightening citations for…...

In the month of May (2012) three NH3 Refrigeration facilities have received substantial fines relating to their NH3 refrigeration process.  A large food distribution business/cold storage warehouse agreed to pay a penalty of $126,700and a cheese processing facility agreed to pay a penalty of $42,435 to settle claims by that they violated the Clean Air…...

Citation 1 Item 1 Type of Violation: Serious; $7,000 29 CFR 1910.119(c)(2): The employer did not consult with employees and their representatives on the conduct and development of process hazards analyses and on the development of the other elements of process safety management in this standard: The employer did not consult with Ammonia Refrigeration Mechanics…...

Citation 1 Item 1 Type of Violation: Serious; $4,500 Section 88.4 – Code of Iowa (2007) 88.4: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment that 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…...