OSHA Inspection: MOUNTAIN PRAIRIE L.L.C.

Issued

Oct 21, 2004

Abate by

Nov 30, 2005

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,000 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 fire and building collapse hazards due to an inadequate
Emergency Action Plan:
a) On or about April 22, 2004, and at times prior, Mountain Prairie L.L.C.
did
not ensure that employees were protected from fire and building collapse
hazards.
The company emergency plan does not address all key issues, nor were the
written parts of the plan implemented at the sites.
Among others, a feasible and acceptable method of abatement to correct
this hazard is:
a)  Evaluate the work places for potential hazards of the area, tailor the
corporate
Emergency Action Plan to fit the sites, train the employees, and implement
the plan.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation is required for
this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").-Certification

Issued

Oct 21, 2004

Abate by

Nov 30, 2005

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,000 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 hazard of untreated injuries due to inadequate
emergency medical treatment
on-site:
a)  On or about April 22, 2004 and at times prior, Mountain Prairie L.L.C.
did
not ensure that employees were protected from emergency hazards.
1.  The farm first aid kits were not evaluated, stocked, and
maintained.
2.  No first aid responders were trained and assigned at the remote
sites to administer first aid as needed.
Among others, a feasible and acceptable method of abatement to correct
this hazard is:
a)  Perform an evaluation of the necessary first aid supplies, stock the
farms with the
first aid supplies, train employees to be first responders, and maintain
the program.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation is required for
this
item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").-Certification

Issued

Oct 21, 2004

Abate by

Nov 30, 2005

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,000 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 electrical hazards when the maintenance personnel did
repairs without using
lockout/tagout procedures, without wearing proper personal protective
equipment, and without
being adequately trained to do the work:
a)  On or about April 22, 2004 and at times prior, Mountain Prairie L.L.C.
did
not ensure that employees were protected from electrical hazards.  The
employees
routinely did not use any safety related work practices.
1.  No lockout/tagout procedures were used at the farms.
2.  No personal protective equipment was supplied for the
employees use.
3. No procedures for working on electrical equipment were
prepared for individual farms
4. No training for electrical work procedures and the hazards of
electrical equipment was given to maintenance personnel.
Among others, a feasible and acceptable method of abatement to correct
this hazard is:
a)  Implement a lockout/tagout policy that evaluates the different work
sites, trains the
employees in processes and procedures, and maintain the program.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation is required for
this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").-Certification

Issued

Oct 21, 2004

Abate by

Nov 30, 2005

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,000 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 electrical hazards due to improper installation and use of
electrical equipment:
a)  On or about April 22, 2004 and at times prior, Mountain Prairie L.L.C.
did
not ensure that employees were protected from electrical hazards.  Some
instances
include, but are not limited to:
1.  Missing covers on ceiling receptacles, light switches, and J
boxes throughout the farms.
2.  Cords improperly spliced outside of box and insulated with
electrical tape which does not bring cord back to manufacturers'
specifications.  Found mainly in maintenance shops and on
portable tools in all farms.
3.  Electrical panels had missing covers exposing energized
conductors and buss bar areas.
4.  Electrical panels with no access due to materials being stored
in front of the box.
5.  Flexible cords used in lieu of permanent wiring: charger for
boar bot, washing machines in mechanical rooms, air conditioner
in break room, and other areas.
6.  Electrical panel not properly installed.  The panel was holding
rain water when inspected and mostly rusted through, a case of
improper installation.
7.  Electrical panels and other electrical J boxes with knockouts
missing.
8.  Conduit lines which had been disconnected were not plugged
or capped.
9.  GFCI receptacles near wet or damp locations not working.
10. Breakers in panel boxes not marked.
Among others, a feasible and acceptable method of abatement to correct
this hazard is to:
a)  Train the maintenance workers on the recognition of electrical
hazards, repair all
defective electrical equipment, regularly inspect the electrical
circuitry, and maintain the
systems. Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation is
required for this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").-Certification

Issued

Oct 21, 2004

Abate by

Nov 30, 2005

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,000 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 fire and collapse hazards due to improper emergency exits:
a)  On or about April, 22, 2004 and at times prior, Mountain Prairie Farms
L.L.C.
did
not ensure that employees were protected from fire and collapse hazards.
The employees
working in the barns were not provided with adequate emergency exits.
1. The exit doors were not denoted with signs.
2. The exit passages were not kept clear of machinery (i.e.,
pressure washers) creating blocked exits.
3. The location of exits did not allow for the prompt evacuation of
employees from the barns.
Among others, a feasible and acceptable method of abatement to correct
this hazard is to:
a) Denote all exits with signs, keep passages clear, and ensure that the
number and
location of emergency exits is in accordance with the NFPA Life Safety
Code.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation is required for
this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").-Certification

Issued

Oct 21, 2004

Abate by

Nov 30, 2005

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,000 Reduced