OSHA Inspection: HOWARD BEEF PROCESSORS, INC.

Issued

Dec 19, 1989

Abate by

Jan 22, 1990

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $256 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees in that:
a) On or about June 29, 1989, and at times prior thereto, at Howard
Beef Processors, Inc., East Highway 34, Howard, South Dakota,
employees were exposed to potential serious accidents in the
workplace due to operations being performed by employees who were
under the influence of a controlled substance.
Among other method, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is the implementation of a Substance Abuse Program
which could include the following essentials:
1) Development and implementation of a formal written Substance Abuse
Program.
2) Appointment of a Program Coordinator or an in-plant advisory
committee.
3) Coordinate with a local clinic, hospital, or private doctor for
screening processes which may include:
a) Pre-employment physical with substance testing.
b) Cause testing (employees involved in workplace accidents).
c) Random, unannounced testing.
d) Annual, unannounced testing.
4) Provide training to educate the managers and supervisors for signs
and symptoms of substance abuse.
5) Provide employee training on the Substance Abuse Program outlining
the employee/employer rights and responsibilities.
6) Provide information to employees for chemical dependency treatment
(drugs and alcohol).
7) Implement a written enforcement procedure for repeated cases.

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 17, 1989

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
%%
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees in that:
a) The employer did not implement a main power lock-out program where
employees throughout the plant were required to clean, maintain,and
operate machines and equipment.
Employees were exposed to the hazard of having parts of their bodies
crushed, lacerated, or amputated in the event that machines should be
re-started during normal operations.
Feasible and useful methods of abatement, among other methods, would be
to provide the protection of a positive main power lock-out procedure,
which would include the following essentials:
1) Open and lock-out main power disconnect for the machine and bleed off
any residual energy prior to performing cleaning and maintenance
operations.
2) Provide each potentially exposed employee working in the area with
separate lock and key to be placed on the lock-out means.
3) Establish a written lock-out policy including procedures to be
followed and training for all affected employees.
4) Install automatic braking devices which will stop all movement of
machinery immediately upon interruption of power to the machine.
5) Install interlock devices which will prevent any access doors from
being opened before the machine has come to complete stop.
6) Periodically evaluate the program and strickly enforce all of its
provisions.

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Nov 7, 1989

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $168 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employee did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees in that:
a) On or about June 29, 1989 and times prior thereto, at Howard Beef
Processors, Inc., East Highway 34, Howard, South Dakota, employees
were exposed to the hazard of having parts of their bodies struck,
crushed, electrically shocked, or amputated by being exposed to
serious physical hazards located throughout the plant.
The employer did not instruct each employee in the recognition and
avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to
their work enviroment to control or eliminate any hazards or exposure
to injury.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to provide specialized training for all personnel
who may be required to operate, maintain, or service processing
equipment and all personnel who may be required to perform dangerous
tasks.

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 11, 1989

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $324 Reduced

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 17, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 23, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 11, 1989

Penalty

Initial $490 · Current $196 Reduced

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Nov 7, 1989

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $256 Reduced

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Nov 7, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Nov 7, 1989

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $256 Reduced

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Nov 7, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Nov 7, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 17, 1989

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 17, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 17, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 17, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 17, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 17, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 17, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 17, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 17, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 17, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Nov 7, 1989

Penalty

Initial $210 · Current $84 Reduced

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Nov 7, 1989

Penalty

Initial $840 · Current $336 Reduced

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Nov 7, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Nov 7, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 17, 1989

Penalty

Initial $1,620 · Current $648 Reduced

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 11, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 17, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Nov 7, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 11, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 17, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 12, 1989

Issued

Oct 5, 1989

Abate by

Oct 11, 1989