OSHA Inspection: VALLEY SPRINGS FARMERS COOP

Issued

Nov 20, 2012

Abate by

Nov 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1):  Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm, in that employees were exposed to being crushed by the rope man lift:    (a)  On or about May 23, 2012, and at times prior to that date, for the employees working on the main floor of the elevator with the area around the man lift not being guarded to prevent employees from being underneath it when elevated at Valley Springs Farmers Coop, located at 400 Broadway Avenue, Valley Springs, South Dakota.    Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard would be to install a guardrail system around the perimeter base of the man lift.

Issued

Nov 20, 2012

Abate by

Nov 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(5):  Every pit and floor opening was not adequately guarded by standard railing or any other effective means:    (a)  On or about May 23, 2012, and at times prior to that date, for the employees working around the main floor of the elevator with the cover missing on the boot pit access potentially exposing employees to fall hazards of approximately 12 feet at Valley Springs Farmers Coop, located at 400 Broadway Avenue, Valley Springs, South Dakota.    (b)  On or about May 23, 2012, and at times prior to that date, for the employees working on the upper levels of the elevator with the man lift landings at upper levels not being guarded potentially exposing employees to fall hazards of up to 80 feet at Valley Springs Farmers Coop, located at 400 Broadway Avenue, Valley Springs, South Dakota.

Issued

Nov 20, 2012

Abate by

Dec 10, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(4)(i):  Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not provide testing and monitoring equipment needed to comply with 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(5):    (a)  For the employees entering the boot pit of the main elevator for cleaning and other maintenance activities at Valley Springs Farmers Coop, located at 400 Broadway Avenue, Valley Springs, South Dakota.

Issued

Nov 20, 2012

Abate by

Dec 10, 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)  For the employees entering the boot pit of the main elevator for cleaning and other maintenance activities at Valley Springs Farmers Coop, located at 400 Broadway Avenue, Valley Springs, South Dakota.

Issued

Nov 20, 2012

Abate by

Dec 10, 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 oxygen content, the presence of combustible gases, vapors, and toxic agents prior to employee entry:    (a)  On or about May 17, 2012, and at times prior to that date, for the employees entering grain storage bins for cleaning and other maintenance activities at Valley Springs Farmers Coop, located at 400 Broadway Avenue, Valley Springs, South Dakota.

Issued

Nov 20, 2012

Abate by

Nov 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1):  Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    (a)  For the employees working around the grinder in the feed mill with the back side of the belt and pulley guard having an opening approximately 6 inches wide at Valley Springs Farmers Coop, located at 400 Broadway Avenue, Valley Springs, South Dakota.

Issued

Nov 20, 2012

Abate by

Nov 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i):  Vertical or inclined belt(s) were not enclosed by guard(s) conforming to the requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    (a)  For the employees working around the grinder in the feed mill with the back side of the belt and pulley guard having an opening approximately 6 inches wide at Valley Springs Farmers Coop, located at 400 Broadway Avenue, Valley Springs, South Dakota.

Issued

Nov 20, 2012

Abate by

Dec 10, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 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 (.32 cm) at priority housekeeping areas, pursuant to the housekeeping program for grain elevators:    (a)  For the employees working in the main elevator with dust accumulations in the boot pit being approximately 1/2- to 3/4-inch in depth at Valley Springs Farmers Coop, located at 400 Broadway Avenue, Valley Springs, South Dakota.

Issued

Nov 20, 2012

Abate by

Dec 10, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(d)(1):  In every building or other structure, or part thereof, used for mercantile, business, industrial, or storage purposes, the loads approved by the building official were not marked on plates of approved design which were supplied and securely affixed by the owner of the building, or the duly authorized agent, in a conspicuous place in each space to which they related:    (a)  For the employees working in the maintenance shop where the mezzanine above the work area used for storage was not marked to identify its rated load capacity at Valley Springs Farmers Coop, located at 400 Broadway Avenue, Valley Springs, South Dakota.