OSHA Inspection: ALPHA BAKING CO., INC.

Issued

2026-03-13 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $14188.00 · Current $14188.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.332(b)(1):  Employees were not trained in and familiar with the safety-related work practices required by 1910.331 through 1910.335 that pertained to their respective job assignments:  a. On or about January 12, 2026, the employer did not ensure employees who were exposed to live electrical conductors were trained in safety-related electrical work practices. Employees who accessed the 480 volt electrical control panel associated with the  Line 31 oven to perform electrical verification were exposed to electrical-related injuries in that safe work practices were not employed to protect employees from hazards associated with electrical shock up to 480 vac and arc flash hazards.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

2026-03-13 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.333(a):  Safety-related work practices were not employed to prevent electric shock or other injuries resulting from either direct or indirect electrical contacts, when work was performed near or on equipment or circuits which were or could be energized:  a. On or about January 12, 2026, the employer did not develop and implement electrical safety related work practices to protect employees who are exposed to live electrical conductors.  Employees who accessed the electrical control panel associated with the Line 31 oven to perform electrical verification were exposed to electrical-related injuries in that safe work practices were not employed to prevent up to 480 vac electrical shock, electrocution, and arc flash/blast.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

2026-03-13 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-04-15 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $14188.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i): Employees working in areas where there were potential electrical hazards were not using electrical protective equipment that was appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed:  a. On or about January 12, 2026, the employer did not ensure employees who accessed electrical control panels associated with Line 31 oven were provided with and used electrical protective equipment for the body, head, and face. Employees who accessed the 480-volt electrical panel to verify electrical deenergization were exposed to up to 480 vac electrical shock and arc flash hazards.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

2026-03-13 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-07-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $99300.00 · Current $99300.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Authorized employee(s) did not receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation.   a) The employer does not ensure that employees are trained to the authorized level prior to performing lockout/tagout covered servicing and maintenance tasks, including, dough clearing.  This most recently occurred on September 14, 2025, on the Line 30 conveyor, an employee performed a lockout/tagout covered task of cleaning equipment without being trained to the authorized level. Deficiencies in their training included but were not limited to, what tasks required them to perform lockout/tagout, how to properly isolate energy sources and where the energy isolating device was located for the conveyor. These deficiencies in their training expose employees to the hazards associated with being caught-in rotating parts and ingoing nip points.   To abate this violation, the employer must train employees to the authorized level who perform tasks which energy control through lockout tagout (LOTO) is required.  Alpha Baking Co., Inc. was previously cited for a Repeat violation this Occupational Safety and Health Standard, 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1768944, citation number 1, item number 1, and was affirmed as final order on February 25, 2025, with respect to a workplace located at 5001 W. Polk Street, Chicago, IL 60644

Issued

2026-03-13 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-07-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $99300.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) was not done in sequence to achieve energy control by performing the following steps as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6):  a) The employer does not ensure that employees are protected from machine hazards associated with moving parts and in-going nip points during dough clearing.  This most recently occurred on September 14, 2025, on the Line 30 conveyor, an employee performed the lockout/tagout covered task of cleaning equipment without the equipment being locked out. The employer does not implement energy control application steps as the machine was not shut down or turned off to perform the unjamming [per the 1910.147(d)(2) requirements].  As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements, involving machine isolation [(d)(3)], LOTO device application [(d)(4)], dissipation of residual energy [(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [(d)(6)], were not implemented to protect employee from machine cleaning hazards. These deficiencies in the lack of energy control expose employees to the hazards associated with being caught-in rotating parts and ingoing nip points.   To abate this violation, the employer must ensure that employees control hazardous energy through lockout/tagout (LOTO) prior to performing service and maintenance on machines and take the necessary steps to ensure employees continue to only work on machine that is and remains in a safe and controlled state.  Alpha Baking Co., Inc. was previously cited for a Repeat violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard, 29 CFR 1910.147(d), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1768944, citation number 1, item number 2, and was affirmed as final order on February 25, 2025, with respect to a workplace located at 5001 W. Polk Street, Chicago, IL 60644

Issued

2026-03-13 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-04-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $99300.00 · Current $99300.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1):  One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks.  a.  The employer does not ensure that shafts are completely enclosed to protect employees from caught-in hazards from the rotating shafts.  This most recently occurred on September 14, 2025, at the line 30 conveyor when employees reached over and around rotating shafts.  To abate this violation, the employer must guard all rotating shafts and take steps to ensure guards remain in place when employees are in the area.  Alpha Baking Co., Inc. was previously cited for a Serious violation this Occupational Safety and Health Standard, 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1768944, citation number 1, item number 3a, and was affirmed as final order on February 25, 2025, with respect to a workplace located at 5001 W. Polk Street, Chicago, IL 60644