OSHA cites Imperial Sugar
Agency proposes $36,000 in fines
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Imperial Sugar Co.’s Gramercy plant for seven safety violations considered “serious” and recommended the company be fined $36,000.
In a prepared statement, Imperial Sugar officials said the company does not agree with the type and/or severity classification of the citations and will most likely contest them and the penalties. A company spokesman said Monday Imperial would not comment on the specifics of the citations.
Under OSHA regulations, Imperial Sugar has 15 working days, or until April 11, to file a written appeal or the penalties become final.
Imperial shut down the Gramercy plant’s powdered sugar operations March 14 after OSHA said a thick dust level represented “an imminent danger.” The OSHA inspection came a month after 13 workers were killed at Imperial’s Georgia refinery near Savannah in an explosion caused by ignited dust.
Imperial Chief Executive Officer John Sheptor said last week the dust at Gramercy was only 1/32 of an inch thick, the amount a person might spill on their counter when using powdered sugar.
The OSHA citations and the penalties, which were issued late Friday, included:
On Friday, Imperial Sugar announced it had worked out an agreement with OSHA to remove the dust from the plant by using a large vacuum truck. At the time Sheptor said there had been a “collaborative spirit” between OSHA inspectors and the plant’s management.
In a prepared statement, Imperial Sugar officials said the company does not agree with the type and/or severity classification of the citations and will most likely contest them and the penalties. A company spokesman said Monday Imperial would not comment on the specifics of the citations.
Under OSHA regulations, Imperial Sugar has 15 working days, or until April 11, to file a written appeal or the penalties become final.
Imperial shut down the Gramercy plant’s powdered sugar operations March 14 after OSHA said a thick dust level represented “an imminent danger.” The OSHA inspection came a month after 13 workers were killed at Imperial’s Georgia refinery near Savannah in an explosion caused by ignited dust.
Imperial Chief Executive Officer John Sheptor said last week the dust at Gramercy was only 1/32 of an inch thick, the amount a person might spill on their counter when using powdered sugar.
The OSHA citations and the penalties, which were issued late Friday, included:
- Three dust collectors inside the building were not equipped with explosion protection systems, $6,300.
- Three air-material separators were not vented to the outside of the plant, $6,300.
- The wrong kind of fire extinguishers were in the powder mill room and packaging areas. Imperial had carbon dioxide extinguishers. OSHA regulations require dry chemical extinguishers, $6,300.
- Containers and bundles were not stacked in a way to prevent them from sliding or collapsing, $4,500.
- Two propane-powered forklifts were used in the granulated sugar packaging area, within 15 feet of the unenclosed dust filter bags. OSHA requires electric forklifts in these areas, $6,300.
- A conveyor system’s control panel had an unused opening where sugar dust could get in and potentially cause a fire, $6,300.
On Friday, Imperial Sugar announced it had worked out an agreement with OSHA to remove the dust from the plant by using a large vacuum truck. At the time Sheptor said there had been a “collaborative spirit” between OSHA inspectors and the plant’s management.
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