OSHA Inspection: HERDCO, INC.

Issued

Jul 23, 2009

Abate by

Aug 10, 2009

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,625 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 associated with
floor openings that
were not protected with a standard railing and toeboard on all exposed
sides.
Jobsite located at 83973 489th Ave., Bartlett, NE 68622-Employees working
on the second floor
of the old mill area were exposed to a fall hazard of 18 feet while
working near a floor opening
that was not protected with a standard railing and toeboard.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT
METHOD TO CORRECT THE HAZARD IS:
(1)  Revise and implement written procedures requiring employees to follow
company
written fall protection program in reference to any type of work over 4
feet
above a lower level
and the use of proper fall protection while working out of a JLG basket.
(2)  Develop and implement a disciplinary action program and procedures to
ensure that
employees follow the company Fall Protection Program.
(3)  Conduct training sessions to ensure that all employees are aware of
the company fall
protection program, and conduct periodic inspections to ensure that the
fall protection program
has been implemented and followed.
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. Abatement
certification sheet is enclosed with the citation.

Issued

Jul 23, 2009

Abate by

Aug 10, 2009

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,275 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:
The area where welding or cutting was done was not inspected by an
authorized
individual.
Designated precautions to be followed before welding and cutting
activities were allowed were
not identified and implemented preferably in the form of a written permit,
before welding and
cutting activities were allowed.
Jobsite located at 83973 489th Ave., Bartlett, NE 68622-A welding and
burning permit was not
issued prior to welding and cutting activities on the corn storage bins in
the old mill area. Two
employees cutting the bottoms off of the corn storage bins were burned
seriously when product
from the old bins were ignited by the cutting torch.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT
METHOD TO CORRECT THE HAZARD IS:
(1)  Revise and implement the company "Control of Hot Work" procedure with
the
emphasis on the issuing of the Special Circumstance Hot Work Permit before
any hot work is
accomplished at the facility.
(2)  Develop and implement a disciplinary action program and procedures to
ensure that
employees follow the Control of Hot Work procedure.
(3)  Conduct training on the Control of Hot Work procedure for all
employees that would
be impacted by the procedure.
(4)  Conduct periodic inspections of the facility to ensure that the
Control of Hot Work
procedure is being followed and implemented.
(5)  Ensure that all employees are familiar with the responsibilities for
hot work as
identified by NFPA Standard 51 B-2009.
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. Abatement
certification sheet is enclosed with the citation.