OSHA Inspection: WHITESTONE FARMS, LLP

Issued

Mar 10, 2006

Abate by

Apr 12, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $875 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 fall hazards.  The employer
failed to ensure that
the fixed ladders attached to feed bins at each barn were inspected and
repaired as necessary.
The ladders were bent and had loose components.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT
METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS:
(a)  Develop and implement written procedures requiring that prompt
corrective action
is taken any time a damaged ladder is identified.
(b)  Develop and implement a disciplinary action program and procedures to
ensure that
employees report damage as it occurs and take action to ensure that the
ladders are not
abused/neglected.
(c)  Take precautions with regards to the fixed ladders to prevent an
accident from
occurring including but not limited to, ensuring all employees receive
training on the
proper methods for safely using ladders.  This should also include
training on the
appropriate methods for inspecting the worksite for related hazards and
then the
development of procedures to report the issues.
(d)  Ensure that all damaged ladders are promptly repaired when they are
identified as
damaged or defective.  This includes any hazards identified during this
inspection.
Abatement certification is required for this violation. The abatement
certification sheet is
enclosed with the citations.

Issued

Mar 10, 2006

Abate by

May 9, 2006

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 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 live electrical components.
The employer failed to ensure that the employees were protected from
contact with live electrical
components including but not limited to live parts located within
uncovered junction boxes,
outlets, light switch enclosures, circuit breaker panels, bare wires
protruding from walls and
enclosures, and motor enclosures.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT
METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS:
(a)  Develop and implement written procedures requiring that prompt
corrective action
is taken any time that an electrical issue is identified.
(b)  Develop and implement a disciplinary action program and procedures to
ensure that
employees report damage as it occurs and take action to ensure that the
electrical fixtures
are not abused/neglected.
(c)  Take precautions with regards to the electrical installations as to
prevent an accident
from happening including but not limited to, ensuring all employees
receive training on
the proper methods for working around electrical fixtures.  This should
also include
training on the appropriate methods for inspecting the worksite for
related hazards and
then the development of procedures to report the issues.
(d)  Ensure that all exposed live electrical parts are promptly repaired
when they are
identified as damaged or defective.  This includes any hazards identified
during this
inspection.
At the following locations, the employer failed to ensure that live
electrical
parts were protected
from contact by employees:
Valley View West:
a)Breeder Barn:  240 volt side fan switches (2) with live wires.
b)Main Hall:  Circuit breaker panel without a dead front cover.
c)Farrowing Room 3:  Fan switch cover not attached.
d)Finisher:  East side feed motor does not have a cover.
e)West Side Grower:  Feed motor does not have a cover.
Valley View East:
a)Farrowing Room 2:  240 volt switch not in the junction box and exposes
the live
wires.
b)Farrowing Hallway:  Circuit breaker panel missing dead front cover.
c)Farrowing Room 3:  Cover not secured on a junction box exposing the live
parts
within.
d)Farrowing Room 3:  Live 240 volt wires protruding from a fan switch.
Valley View Finisher:
a)Barn 3:  Electrical outlet not installed in junction box used to power a
feed motor.
b)East Barn:  Thermostat handing from wires.
c)East Barn:  Thermostat broken away from conduit and hanging from wires.
d)East Barn:  Side wall fan switch box missing cover.
e)East Barn:  Junction box adjacent to feed line is missing a cover.
f)East Barn:  Thermostat hanging from wires.
g)Barn 2:  Electrical switch box not attached to the wall and the conduit
is broken
allowing the enclosure to hang from the wires.
h)Barn 2 Hallway:  Light switch does not have a cover and exposes the live
wires
within.
i)Barn 2:  A pressure washer used to clean the barns is missing a cover and
exposes 240 volt live parts.
j)Barn 1:  Feed motor conduit broken away from the motor and exposes live
wires.
k)Barns 5/6:  Junction box without cover exposing live parts.
l)Barns 5/6:  5 fan switches have wires that have been severed and are not
protected from contact.
m)Hallway to Barns 7/8:  Circuit breaker panel is missing cover and has 2
open
areas exposing live parts.
n)Barns 7/8:  3 fan switches on the side walls have missing covers
exposing live
parts.
o)Barns 7/8:  2 feed motors have conductors wired into conduit without any
form
of protection.  The wires are exposed and not protected by a junction box
or conduit or
similar enclosure.
Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this
violation. The
documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable
measurements or
monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be
helpful. The abatement
certification sheet is enclosed with the citations.

Issued

Mar 10, 2006

Abate by

Apr 12, 2006

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 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 live electrical components in
wet or damp
locations.
Electrical fixtures were found to be either in a state of disrepair or not
designed for use in that
environment.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT
METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS:
(a)  Develop and implement written procedures requiring that prompt
corrective action
is taken any time that an electrical issue is identified.
(b)  Develop and implement a disciplinary action program and procedures to
ensure that
employees report damage as it occurs and take action to ensure that the
electrical fixtures
are not abused/neglected.
(c)  Take precautions with regards to the electrical installations as to
prevent an accident
from happening including but not limited to, ensuring all employees
receive training on
the proper methods for working around electrical fixtures.  This should
also include
training on the appropriate methods for inspecting the worksite for
related hazards and
then the development of procedures to report the issues.
(d)  Ensure that all electrical fixtures exposed to wet or damp locations
are promptly
repaired when they are identified as damaged or defective.  This includes
any hazards
identified during this inspection.
At the following locations, the employer failed to ensure that live
electrical components in wet
or damp locations were properly maintained and designed for use in that
environment:
Valley View West:
a)Nursery:  Light fixture not properly installed allowing water to enter
the
enclosure.
b)West Side Grower:  2 light fixtures were not properly installed allowing
water to
enter the enclosure.
Valley View East:
a)Nursery:  The light fixtures in the nursery were not equipped with
globes to cover
the bulb and protect the fixture.
Valley View Finisher:
a)Barn 2:  5 lights were observed hanging from the wires.  The fixtures
were not
properly maintained and allowed water to accumulate within the enclosure.
b)Barn 1:  The light fixtures in the nursery were not equipped with globes
to cover
the bulb and protect the fixture.
Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this
violation. The
documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable
measurements or
monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be
helpful. The abatement
certification sheet is enclosed with the citations.

Issued

Mar 10, 2006

Abate by

Apr 12, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $875 Reduced

Issued

Mar 10, 2006

Abate by

Apr 3, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $875 Reduced