OSHA Inspection: COOPERATIVE PRODUCERS, INC.

Issued

Oct 12, 2011

Abate by

Jul 31, 2012

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:
The employer is failing to protect employees from potential fall hazards
associated with
employees walking/working on top of rail cars 15'6"tall without fall
protection.  The most
recent example of this was found on the job site located at 104 Main
Street, Funk, NE 68940
where the employer has employees climbing on top of the grain rail cars
without fall
protection to open the hatches in preparation of filling them with grain
product.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods of abatement are:
1.Implement a rail car loading plan that mandates no employee climb on top
of a
rail car unless protected against fall hazards by conventional fall
protection.
2.Train employees on the use of fall protection and the recognition of
hazards
associated with falls and eliminate the confusion of employees climbing on
rail
cars
provided those cars are not hooked to any form of power such as a
locomotive by
mandating 100% fall protection at all times.
3.Work with the manufacturers of the railcars and or rolling stock to
ensure that
fall protection equipment is able to be in place and used by employees
accessing the
tops of the railcars and or rolling stock while walking/working on them.
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

Oct 12, 2011

Abate by

Jul 31, 2012

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Oct 12, 2011

Abate by

Mar 1, 2012

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

Issued

Oct 12, 2011

Abate by

Jul 31, 2012