OSHA Inspection: HOMELAND CREAMERY, L.L.C.

Issued

Jun 17, 2011

Abate by

Jun 27, 2011

Penalty

Initial $1,400 · Current $700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

North Carolina General Statute 95.129(01) of the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of North Carolina: The
employer did not furnish each of his employees conditions of employment
and a place of employment free
from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or
serious physical harm to employees in
that employees were exposed to grain bin engulfment and suffocation
hazards.
(a) Grain storage facilities located at 6793 Liberty Grove Road, Liberty,
NC 27298 -  The employer
did not take appropriate safety precautions prior to and during the entry
of an employee into a 3,300
bushel LONG grain bin.  The employee was engulfed by 2,475 bushels of
barley.  The employer and
two casual laborers were exposed to engulfment when they entered the bin
to rescue the trapped
employee.
Abatement Notice: One feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to
follow established and
recognized industry standards for grain bin entry found in publications
from such organizations as the
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and the National Ag
Safety Data Base (NASD)
and take the following protective measures when grain bins are entered:
Turn off and lock out all powered equipment associated with the bin,
including augers used to help move the
grain, so that the grain is not being emptied or moving out or into the
bin.
Prohibit walking down grain and similar practices where an employee walks
on grain to make it flow.
Provide all employees a body harness with a lifeline, or a boatswains
chair, and ensure that it is secured prior
to the employee entering the bin.
Provide an observer stationed outside the bin or silo being entered by an
employee. Ensure the observer is
equipped to provide assistance and that their only task is to continuously
track the employee in the bin.
Prohibit workers from entry into bins or silos underneath a bridging
condition, or where a build-up of grain
products on the sides could fall and bury them.
Train all workers for the specific hazardous work operations they are to
perform when entering and working
inside of grain bins.
Test the air within a bin or silo prior to entry for the presence of
combustible and toxic gases, and to
determine if there is sufficient oxygen.
If detected by testing, vent hazardous atmospheres to ensure that
combustible and toxic gas levels are reduced
to non hazardous levels, and that sufficient oxygen levels are maintained.
Ensure a permit is issued for each instance a worker enters a bin or silo,
certifying that the precautions listed
above have been implemented.