OSHA Inspection: GROWMARK, INC.

Issued

Jan 19, 2012

Abate by

Feb 8, 2012

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(2): When employees stood on or in stored grain of a depth which posed engulfment hazards, the employer did not equip employees with a body harness with lifeline, a boatswains chair that meets the requirements of subpart D of this part, or an alternative means of protection which demonstrated to prevent the employee from sinking further than waist-deep in the grain:     On or about 7/28/11 and 7/29/11 employee(s) were exposed to engulfment hazards during sweep auger set-up and operation inside grain bins, and were not provided with a body harness with lifeline or alternative means of protection to prevent the them from sinking into the stored grain.

Issued

Jan 19, 2012

Abate by

Feb 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(4):  The employer did not provide equipment for rescue operations which is specifically suited for the bin, silo, or tank being entered:     On or about 7/28/11 and 7/29/11 employee(s) were exposed to engulfment hazards during sweep auger set-up and operation inside grain bins, and the employer did not provide rescue equipment suitable for the grain bins entered.

Issued

Jan 19, 2012

Abate by

Feb 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $35,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(ii):  All mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment which presents a danger to employees inside grain storage structures were not de-energized and disconnected, locked-out and tagged, blocked-off, or otherwise prevented from operating by other equally effective means or methods:     On and before July 25, 2011, employee(s) were exposed to energized sweep augers while cleaning out grain bin #6.

Issued

Jan 19, 2012

Abate by

Jan 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2):  The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identified the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment:     The employer had not certified the completion of a hazard assessment for personal protective equipment (PPE).

Issued

Jan 19, 2012

Abate by

Jan 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(D):  Lockout devices and tagout devices did not indicate the identity of the employee applying the device(s):    Tagout devices used by employee(s) during maintenance activities did not contain the identity of the employee applying the tag(s).  The list of maintenance activities includes, but is not limited to, preventative maintenance activities and motor replacement.