OSHA Inspection: PITSTICK BROTHERS GRAIN CO. LLC

Issued

Dec 22, 2011

Abate by

Jan 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $2,400

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1):     Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level shall beguarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) on all open sides except where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder. The railing shall be provided with a toeboard wherever, beneath the open sides,    1. Employees were required to work form the steps that are attached to Bins #3 and #7 without a guard railing system, exposing them to falls in excess of six feet.

Issued

Dec 22, 2011

Abate by

Feb 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(d):     Fixed stairways shall have a minimum width of 22 inches.    a) The stairs attached to Bins #3 and #7 were not a minimun of 22' wide.     b) A concrete cinder block was used as the top step on the stairs attached to Bins #3 and #7 and another block was used to gain access to elevated step at the foot of the stairs.

Issued

Dec 22, 2011

Abate by

Feb 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(h):     Standard railings shall be provided on the open sides of all exposed stairways and stair platforms. Handrails shall be provided on at least one side of closed stairways preferably on the right side descending. Stairrailings and handrails shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of 1910.23.      a) The stairs attached to the bins did not have a railing or handrailing system when employees were climbing the steps on Bins #3 and #7 exposing them to falls in excess of six feet.

Issued

Dec 22, 2011

Abate by

Feb 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.110(h)(6)(ii)(b):     Containers shall be protected by crash rails or guards to prevent physical damage unless they are so protected by virtue of their location. Vehicles shall not be serviced within 10 feet of containers.      a) Propane tank located in the driveway in front of the heater was not protected by rails or guards to prevent it being struck or damaged by vehicular traffic.

Issued

Dec 22, 2011

Abate by

Feb 29, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(ii):     Prior to permitting an employee to operate a powered industrial truck (except for training purposes), the employer shall ensure that each operator has successfully completed the training required by this paragraph (l), except as permitted by paragraph (l)(5).      a) Powered industrial vehicle (skid loader) training was not provided prior to allowing operators to get on the equipment.

Issued

Dec 22, 2011

Abate by

Dec 30, 2011

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1):     One or more methods of machine guarding shall be provided to protect the operatorand other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips andsparks.     a) Guarding was not provided on the basement auger in the corn storage area exposing employees to rotating parts.

Issued

Dec 22, 2011

Abate by

Jan 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(5):     When the periphery of the blades of a fan is less than seven (7) feet above thefloor or working level, the blades shall be guarded. The guard shall have openings no larger than one-half (1/2) inch.    a) Heater fan blades in the maintenance shop was not guarded to prevent employees exposure to rotating fan blades.

Issued

Dec 22, 2011

Abate by

Jan 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i):     Where both runs of horizontal belts are seven (7) feet or less from the floor level, the guard shall extend to at least fifteen (15) inches above the belt or to a standard height, except that where both runs of a horizontal belt are 42 inches or less from the floor, the belt shall be fully enclosed in accordance with paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section.    a) Machine guarding was not provided over the rotating bin auger belts, on bin #3, exposing employees to rotating parts.  b) Machine guarding was not provided over the rotating bin auger belts in the dump pit area.  c) Machine guarding was not provided over the outside truck loading auger belt.

Issued

Dec 22, 2011

Abate by

Feb 29, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(f)(2):     The permit shall certify that the requirements contained in 1910.252(a) have been implemented prior to beginning the hot work operations. The permit shall be kept on file until completion of the hot work operations.      a) Hot work permit was not issued prior to allowing welders to begin welding operation.

Issued

Dec 22, 2011

Abate by

Feb 29, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(e)(1)(ii):     The employer had not trained employees at least annually with reguard to specific procedures and safety practices applicable to their job tasks including but not limited to, cleaning procedures for grinding equipment, clearing procedures for choked legs, housekeeping procedures, hot work procedures, preventive maintenance procedures and lock-out/tag-out procedures.    a) Employees had not been trained on specific procedures such as, but not limited to, lockout procedured, housekeeping/dust accmulation,  ignition sources and hot work procedures.

Issued

Dec 22, 2011

Abate by

Jan 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(m)(1)(i):     The employer shall implement preventative maintenance procedures to include regularly scheduled inspections of at least the mechanical and safety control equipment associated with dryers, grain stream processing equipment, dust collection equipment including filter collectors, and bucket elevators:      a) Company had not developed and inplemented a preventive maintenance program for servicing and maintenence on equipment at the facility and maintained a certification record for each inspection.

Issued

Dec 22, 2011

Abate by

Jan 9, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i):     Except as elsewhere required or permitted by this standard, live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more shall be guarded against accidentalcontact by use of approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures or by any of the following means:    a) The overhead electrial lighting fixture in the weighting office exposed employees to live parts in that the fixture hung  low from the ceiling exposing employees to contact with live wiring exposing employees to contact.

Issued

Dec 22, 2011

Abate by

Feb 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.332(b)(1):      Employees shall be trained in and familiar with the safety-related work practices required by 1910.331 through 1910.335 that pertain to their respective job assignments.    a) Employees involved in the changing the fuses within the panels were not qualified to perform that operation.

Issued

Dec 22, 2011

Abate by

Feb 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i):     Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards shall be provided with,and shall use, electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to beperformed.Note: Personal protective equipment requirements are contained in subpart I of this part.      a) Company did not provide personal protective safety equipment during the removal and replacement of fuses within the electrical panel.