OSHA Inspection: TRUPOINTE COOPERATIVE, INC.

Issued

May 30, 2012

Abate by

Jun 29, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $1,800

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(o)(1):   The employer did not provide at least two means of emergency escape from galleries (bin decks) in the grain handling facility:  (a) There were not at least two means of emergency escape from the roof area at the top of the grain bins (silos).

Issued

May 30, 2012

Abate by

Jun 29, 2012

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(4):   The employer did not provide equipment for rescue operations, which was specifically suited for the bin, silo, or tank being entered:  (a) On or about December 2 and December 6, 2011, Bin #6 was entered by employees to remove and then replace a down spout pipe and equipment for rescue operations such as a tripod or equivalent mechanical retrieval device was not provided and set-up for use for the vertical entry into the top of the bin.

Issued

May 30, 2012

Abate by

Jun 29, 2012

Penalty

Initial $27,500 · Current $3,000 Reduced

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 was not guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) on all open sides and railings were not provided with a toeboard where required:  (a) On the roof area at the top of the grain bins (silos), the railing around the edges was not standard railing height (42 inches nominal top rail and 21 inches nominal mid-rail) as they measured only 34 1/2 inches to 35 inches top rail near the one person caged elevator entrance/exit area and 16 1/2 inches high mid-rail.  (b) On the roof area at the top of the grain bins (silos), the catwalk between the west bins and the east bins did not have standard guardrailing in that the top of the railing was only 37 inches on the north side (left side) and only 32 1/2 inches on the south side (right side) to the top of the auger cover.  (e) On the roof area at the top of the grain bins (silos), there were sections around the edges on bins 6, bin 8, and bin 10 that were only protected by chain and were not standard railing, plus at the top of #6 bin next to the auger conveyor there was no mid-rail.    (f) On the roof area at the top of the grain bins (silos), the railing and chain that stretched across the area where bins met were inadequate in that they left floor openings where the following bins met: Bin 6 & 8; Bin 8 & 10; Bin 5 & 7; and Bin 7 & 9.  Trupointe Cooperative, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard 29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 314911371 which occurred at the Greenville, Ohio facility, citation number 1, item number 3, issued on 10/25/2010 and became final order on 11/16/2010 by a signed Informal Settlement Agreement.