OSHA Inspection: SOUTHEAST FARMERS ELEVATOR

Issued

Jun 1, 2012

Abate by

Jun 19, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(5)(iii):  Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), when testing for atmospheric hazards, the employer did not evaluate permit space conditions when entry operations were conducted by testing first for oxygen, then for combustible gases and vapors, and then for toxic gases and vapors:    (a)  On or about February 2, 2012, and at times prior to that date, for the employees entering the boot pit for cleaning and other maintenance activities without testing the atmosphere prior to entry and only having an MSA Altair single gas O2 sensor available at the facility, at Southeast Farmers Elevator, located at 32702 479th Avenue, Elk Point, South Dakota.

Issued

Jun 1, 2012

Abate by

Jun 19, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(e)(1):  Before entry was authorized, the employer did not document the completion of measures required by 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3) by preparing an entry permit:    (a)  On or about February 2, 2012, and at times prior to that date, for the employees entering the boot pit for cleaning and other maintenance activities without testing the atmosphere prior to entry and only having an MSA Altair single gas O2 sensor available at the facility, at Southeast Farmers Elevator, located at 32702 479th Avenue, Elk Point, South Dakota.

Issued

Jun 1, 2012

Abate by

Jun 19, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(iii):  The atmosphere within a bin, silo, or tank in the grain handling facility was not tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors, and toxic agents prior to employee entry:    (a)  On or about February 2, 2012, and at times prior to that date, for the employees entering grain storage bins for cleaning and other maintenance activities while only having an MSA Altair single gas O2 sensor available at the facility, at Southeast Farmers Elevator, located at 32702 479th Avenue, Elk Point, South Dakota.

Issued

Jun 1, 2012

Abate by

Jun 19, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(2)(ii):  The employer did not immediately remove any fugitive grain dust accumulations whenever they exceeded 1/8-inch at priority housekeeping areas:    (a)  On or about February 2, 2012, and at times prior to that date, for the employees working around the boot pit with dust accumulations around 1/4-inch and main floor area with dust accumulations on piping and ledges around 1/2 - 3/4-inch, at Southeast Farmers Elevator, located at 32702 479th Avenue, Elk Point, South Dakota.

Issued

Jun 1, 2012

Abate by

Jun 5, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c):  Equipment, wiring methods, and installations of equipment in hazardous (classified) locations were not intrinsically safe, approved for the hazardous (classified) location, or safe for the hazardous (classified) location:    (a)  On or about February 2, 2012, and at times prior to that date, for the employees using an extension cord equipped with a classified male plug end and a general service female plug end for connecting a battery charger, shop vac, and other electrical equipment, at Southeast Farmers Elevator, located at 32702 479th Avenue, Elk Point, South Dakota.