OSHA Inspection: BOOTHILL FEEDERS, INC.

Issued

Jun 12, 1991

Abate by

Jun 21, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $1,000

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
SUFFOCATION HAZARD:
A) ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 12, 1991, EMPLOYEES WERE EXPOSED TO SUFFOCATION
HAZARD DURING BIN ENTRY OF FINES BIN. EMPLOYEES WERE CLEANING OUT THE
FINES BIN TO ALLOW FINES (GRAIN) TO FLOW FREELY. EMPLOYEES ENTERED
FROM THE TOP OF THE BIN WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY 1/4-1/2 FILLED WITH
FINES.
ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD, AMONG OTHERS, TO CORRECT
THIS HAZARD IS TO INSTITUTE A BIN ENTRY PROCEDURE. A MINIMALLY
ACCEPTABLE BIN ENTRY PROCEDURE CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWINGELEMENTS:
1) ESTABLISH A BIN ENTRY PERMIT SYSTEM TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER EMPLOYEE
ENTRY INTO BINS, SILOS, OR TANKS.
2) TRAIN EMPLOYEES IN THE HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH ENTRY INTO BINS,
SILOS, AND TANKS. FOR EXAMPLE, EMPLOYEES SHOULD NEVER ENTER THESE
AREAS FROM THE BOTTOM WHEN GRAIN OR OTHER AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS ARE
HUNG-UP OR STICKING TO THE SIDES. EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE MADE AWARE
THAT THE ATMOSPHERE IN BINS, SILOS, AND TANKS CAN BE OXYGEN DEFICIENT
OR TOXIC. CONSEQUENTLY, EMPLOYEES MUST BE TRAINED IN THE PROPER
METHOD OF TESTING THE ATMOSPHERE AND THE APPROPRIATE PROCEDURES TO
BE TAKEN IF THE ATMOSPHERE IS FOUND TO BE HAZARDOUS.
3) PROVIDE VENTILATION, SUPPLEMENTED BY THE USE OF APPROPRIATE
RESPIRATORS, IF NECESSARY, WHEN OXYGEN LEVELS ARE LESS THAN 19.5%,
OR CONCENTRATIONS OF TOXIC AGENTS PRESENT IN THE AIR EITHER EXCEED
CEILING LIMITS IN OSHA'S HEALTH STANDARDS OR WILL HAVE HEALTH EFFECTS
THAT RESTRICT AN EMPLOYEE'S ABILITIES TO EFFECT SELF RESCUE OR OBTAIN
ASSISTANCE;
OR IF COMBUSTIBLE GAS OR VAPOR CONCENTRATION IS IN EXCESS OF 10% OF
THE LOWER FLAMMABLE LIMIT. VENTILATION MUST BE PROVIDED UNTIL THE
UNSAFE CONDITION IS ELIMINATED AND MUST BE CONTINUED AS LONG AS THERE
IS A POSSIBILITY OF RECURRENCE OF THE UNSAFE CONDITION WHILE THE BIN,
SILO, OR TANK IS OCCUPIED BY EMPLOYEES.
5) PROVIDE EMPLOYEE ENTERING A BIN, SILO, OR TANK FROM THE TOP, WITH A
BODY HARNESS WITH A LIFELINE OR A BOATSWAIN'S CHAIR. IN ADDITION, A
TRAINED AND EQUIPPED WITH RESCUE GEAR OBSERVER MUST BE PRESENT TO
MAINTAIN COMMUNICATION WITH EMPLOYEES IN THE BINS AND TO PROVIDE HELP
IF NEEDED.

Issued

Jun 12, 1991

Abate by

Jul 15, 1991

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $300

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 fall hazards:
(a)  On or about February 12, 1991, employees were exposed to
fall  hazards approximately 20'-25' above adjacent ground level.
Employees were perfoming cutting and rescue operations while
standing on catwalks, also used for regular clean up operations,
located on the east and west sides of the clam located in the
truck loading area.  The east catwalk was approximately 24" wide
and the west catwalk was approximately 30" wide.  Catwalks were
not provided with standard guardrails on the open sides and ends
nor was equivalent fall protection provided.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is install railings, approximately 42" high with
midrails on all open sides of platforms 4' or more above adjacent floor
or ground level.

Issued

Jun 12, 1991

Abate by

Jul 15, 1991

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $200

Issued

Jun 12, 1991

Abate by

Jul 15, 1991

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $200

Issued

Jun 12, 1991

Abate by

Jul 15, 1991

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $200

Issued

Jun 12, 1991

Abate by

Jul 15, 1991

Issued

Jun 12, 1991

Abate by

Jul 15, 1991