OSHA Inspection: COUNTRYMARK COOP INC.

Issued

Jan 13, 1988

Abate by

Jan 16, 1988

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $10,000

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not furnish employment ans 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:
Fire and/or explosion resulting from:
a) Failure to eliminate and/or control potential ignition sources, such
as those created by tramp metal or other foreign material, during the
transportation of feed grains from the primary feed conveyors to the
"E" leg bucket conveyor.
b) Build-up of hazardous concentrations of feed grain dusts at the "E"
leg bucket conveyor due to a clogged dust collection system.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct these hazards is to provide equipment protection, periodic
inspection, and employee training as stipulated in NFPA Standard 61C-
1984, National Fire Protection Association Standard for the Prevention
of Fire and Dust Explosion in Feed Mills.
Essential elements include the following:
1) Provide mesh screens, grating, scalpers or magnetic separators (such
as permanent magnet, self-cleaning electromagnetic or pneumatic) to
prevent metal or other foreign matter from entering into grain
handling machinery.
2) Provide warning devices which upon failure of the dust collection
system(s) will actuate an audible or visual signal or shall initiate
shutdown or related handling equipment.
3) Provide explosion relief and venting for elevator legs so that
structural or mechanical damage is minimized in the event of a
combustion explosion. Maximum practicable explosion relief area shall
be provided in the head section of vertical casings and/or through
the roof of those portions of elevator legs located inside.
4) Perform through inspections at regular intervals for continued safe
operation of equipment to include the following:
a) Fire and explosion protection and prevention equipment
b) Dust control equipment
c) Electrical and mechanical equipment, including interlocks
5) Develop and implement a regular on-going employee training program
for all employees to inform them about the hazards involved in feed
mills with emphasis on the following areas:
a) Dust explosion hazards
b) Sources of ignition and their control
c) Housekeeping
d) Fire protection equipment.