OSHA Inspection: KALMBACH FEEDS, INC.

Issued

Jan 30, 2012

Abate by

Feb 21, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,825 · Current $1,912 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in the activities covered by this section.    a) Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. - Upper Sandusky, Ohio: On or about August 3, 2011, the employer failed to ensure an employee unplugging the Sprout Matador Pellet Mill #4 (ID number: 0403671/121; World Wide Electric motor: 1739 rpm, 400 HP) was protected from the release of potentially hazardous energy. The employee was exposed to crushing hazards when the emergency stop button on the wall was used to shut off the power to the pellet mill, a wire and hand scraper were used to unplug the machine, and no lock was applied. In addition, the pellet mill had to be started up from a computer, which was inside of the control room.    b) Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. - On or about August 31, 2011, the employer failed to ensure an employee changing the rolls and die on the California Pellet Mill #2 (SN: PM30206396396; World Wide Electric motor: 780 rpm, 200 HP) was protected from the release of potentially hazardous energy. Employees were exposed to crushing hazards when the pellet mill was shut down by a button on the wall and no lock was applied.

Issued

Jan 30, 2012

Abate by

Feb 21, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(3): All energy isolating devices that were needed to control the energy to the machine or equipment were not physically located and operated in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source(s).    a) Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. - Upper Sandusky, Ohio: On or about August 3, 2011, the employer failed to ensure an employee unplugging the Sprout Matador Pellet Mill #4 (ID number: 0403671/121; World Wide Electric motor: 1739 rpm, 400 HP) was protected from the release of potentially hazardous energy. The employee was exposed to crushing hazards when the emergency stop button on the wall was used to shut off the power to the pellet mill, a wire and hand scraper were used to unplug the machine, and no lock was applied. In addition, the pellet mill had to be started up from a computer, which was inside of the control room.    b) Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. - Upper Sandusky, Ohio: On or about August 31, 2011, the employer failed to ensure an employee changing the rolls and die on the California Pellet Mill #2 (SN: PM30206396396; World Wide Electric motor: 780 rpm, 200 HP) was protected from the release of potentially hazardous energy. Employees were exposed to crushing hazards when the pellet mill was shut down by a button on the wall and no lock was applied.

Issued

Jan 30, 2012

Abate by

Feb 21, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(4)(i): Lockout or tagout devices were not affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees.    a) Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. - Upper Sandusky, Ohio: On or about August 3, 2011, the employer failed to ensure an employee unplugging the Sprout Matador Pellet Mill #4 (ID number: 0403671/121; World Wide Electric motor: 1739 rpm, 400 HP) was protected from the release of potentially hazardous energy. The employee was exposed to crushing hazards when the emergency stop button on the wall was used to shut off the power to the pellet mill, a wire and hand scraper were used to unplug the machine, and no lock was applied. In addition, the pellet mill had to be started up from a computer, which was inside of the control room.    b) Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. - Upper Sandusky, Ohio: On or about August 31, 2011, the employer failed to ensure an employee changing the rolls and die on the California Pellet Mill #2 (SN: PM30206396396; World Wide Electric motor: 780 rpm, 200 HP) was protected from the release of potentially hazardous energy. Employees were exposed to crushing hazards when the pellet mill was shut down by a button on the wall and no lock was applied.

Issued

Jan 30, 2012

Abate by

Feb 21, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,825 · Current $1,913 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program was understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls was acquired by employees.      a) Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. - Upper Sandusky, Ohio: On or about September 14, 2011, the employer failed to ensure that pellet mill operators who were required to change rolls and dies as well as unplug the machines were properly trained on the control of hazardous energy, including practices for the application, usage, and removal of locks or other energy controls. Employees were exposed to crushing hazards when the pellet mills were not properly locked out.