OSHA Inspection: HOFFMAN SEEDS, INC.

Issued

Jul 2, 1986

Abate by

Oct 6, 1986

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $255 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 employees were exposed to:
Employees performing cleaning operations in the elevator pit and
leveling operations in the dryers were exposed to hazards of second,
third degree burns/death due to the potential presence of explosive
mixtures  of vapors, gases, dusts, and oxygen and fractures and
asphyxiation due to potentially unstable work surfaces and oxygen
atmospheres; in that proper confined space entry procedures were not
developed and implemented at the facility.
A feasible method of abatement includes, but is not limited to:
1) Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilation, atmospheric
testing, rescue procedures, and employee training.
2) The completion and posting of a confined space entry permit which
requires authorization and approval in writing that specifies the
location and type of work to be done and certifies that all existing
and potential hazards have been evaluated by a qualified person and
necessary protective measures have been taken to ensure the safety of
each worker.
3) Mechanical ventilation  of the confined space prior to entry and
continued ventilation to provide a safe atmosphere, when determined
necessary as described in (2) above.
4) Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and on a
regular basis for presence of sufficient oxygen (19.5%) and absence
of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or vapors, when
determined necessary as described in (a) above.
4) At the start of the work to be performed, switch-off and use a
worker individual lock on the electric control switch to prevent re-
energizing the machine. After switch-off, assure that the electric
circuits are proven de-energized, a unique and situation information
tag shall be attached to the lock and machine energizing control.
This lock shall not be required where the worker, by his immediate
proximity to the electrical control switch (within reach), prevents
inadvertant switch-on by others.
5) All other fluid energy power sources which can produce movements of
machine members shall be locked off.  Pressurized fluids (air or
liquid) shall be closed off from the machine through the use of
shutoff valves, and the supply lines toward the machine reduced in
pressure to atmospheric or the machine blocked against possible
movement. All pressure-fluid accumulator an air surge tanks within
the machine shall be reduced to atmospheric pressure or the machine
blocked against possible movement.
6) All mechanical gravity fall potential energy within the machine
shall be reduced to zero, or as nearly so as possible, by lowering
elevated machine parts to the floor, solid surfaces or by cribbing
and blocking them to prevent the machine parts from falling.
7) All mechanical kinetic rotating machine energy within the machine
shall be reduced to zero, or as nearly so as possible, by slowing
the rotating parts to a stop.  In the alternative, the worker shall
be guarded from the rotating parts by installing temporary guards.
Loose machine parts including machine parts, arms, knives, etc.
shall be blocked or secured to prevent possible injury to workers.
8) Necessary work on the machine shall be performed. Upon completion,
all guards, tie offs, valves, cribbing and blockages shall be
removed from the machine in a a manner to prevent worker injuries.
The machine shall be re-energized and run experimentally. The fully
functional machine shall be formally returned to service, and the
operations manager shall countersign the safety machine out- tag and
work order.
9) The employer shall formally document his safe machine maintenance
program.  He shall develop a training program to instruct affected
maintenance and operations workers and management.
10) The employer shall train his workers in the safer machine
maintenance program.  The training shall be repeated as frequently as
is necessary to maintain management and worker proficiency and
compliance with the procedures.

Issued

Jul 2, 1986

Abate by

Aug 21, 1986

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $210 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 employees were exposed to:
Employees performing maintenance and repair work on such equipment as
conveyors, sizers, grading machines, fans for dryers, and electrical
equipment were exposed to the hazards of amputations, fractures,
severe lacerations, and electrical energization of equipment as
equipment was not positively locked out.
Abatement of the hazard can be accomplished by the establishment of
management controls over the work being performed, instructions of
workers in the recognition of hazards, safe shut down of machines,
blocking, stopping and reducing machines to Zero Mechanical Energy
(ZMS), and documentation of maintenance performed.
Specific elements of the abatement program shall be expected to include,
but not necessarily be limited to:
1) Secure and maintain current operations and maintenance manuals on all
machines to be serviced. Assure provision of appropriate manuals and/
or information contained to affected workers before work is begun.
2) Analyze all machines and determine the electrical, mechanical and nip
point hazards which are present. Establish and document the procedure
which will be used in performing maintenance of machines.
3) Establish and use a documented work order system for machine
maintenance and repairs.  Document repairs made, both preventive and
breakage, and use the information to improve preventive maintenance,
reduce costs, increase on-line time, and reduce worker injuries.

Issued

Jun 4, 1986

Abate by

Jul 8, 1986

Penalty

Initial $490 · Current $255 Reduced

Issued

Jun 4, 1986

Abate by

Jun 9, 1986

Issued

Jun 4, 1986

Abate by

Jun 9, 1986