OSHA Inspection: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Issued

Sep 5, 2002

Abate by

Sep 17, 2002

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,000 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 the condition(s) listed below:
For the period of time up to and including 07/25/02, at the job-site
located at Pioneer Road,
Plainview, TX 79072: Employees engaged in upgrading bin entry fixed metal
ladders (grinding
/ welding) were exposed to the hazards associated with fires, explosions,
oxygen deficient / toxic
atmospheres, and falls that were created when they entered / re-entered
grain storage bins before
the requirements of Confined Space entry, Fall Protection, and Hot Work
had been adequately
evaluated and implemented.
Acceptable and feasible methods to abate these conditions would be to:
Complete the company Confined Space Safety Program, and include a Hazard
Assessment
of
all tasks (non-routine as well), and fully implement the program before
any further bin entries.
In industry Code 0019.  Assure that each of these Programs are modified to
include a Hazard
Assessment of all tasks