OSHA Inspection: ESPLIN, INC., DBA DELTA ELEVATOR

Issued

Aug 21, 2012

Abate by

Aug 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,600

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1):  Place(s) of employment were not kept clean:     (a)Esplin Inc., dba Delta Elevator at 551 W. 5th St., Delta, CO 81416:   In the elevator, a Class II combustible dust accumulated in depths in excess of 1/32 inch on surface areas and the floor that could be suspended in the air above the ground level floor or in the basement. This condition exposed employees to the hazard of fire involving Class II combustible grain dust.    (b)Esplin Inc., dba Delta Elevator at 551 W. 5th St., Delta, CO 81416: The employer had not ensured the basement had been kept clean in that there was approximately 2 feet of scalping covering the floor in the room directly below the cleaner.    Abatement Note:  Immediate cleaning is warranted whenever a dust layer of 1/32-inch thickness (thickness of a typical paper clip) accumulates over 5% of the surface area in the work area. Surfaces that can accumulate dust include overhead beams, joists, ducts, tops of equipment, and even vertical walls.

Issued

Aug 21, 2012

Abate by

Aug 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(1):  The employer did not develop and implement a written housekeeping program that establishes the frequency and method(s) determined best to reduce accumulations of fugitive grain dust on ledges, floors, equipment, and other exposed surfaces:    (a)Esplin Inc., dba Delta Elevator at 551 W. 5th St., Delta, CO 81416:  The employer did not have a written housekeeping program to ensure the frequency and method to reduce accumulations of fugitive dust.  This condition exposed the employee to possible fire and/or explosion hazards.      Abatement Note:  In addition, the housekeeping program for grain elevators shall address fugitive grain dust accumulations at priority housekeeping areas.     (a)Priority housekeeping areas shall include at least the following:    (b)Floor areas within 35 feet (10.7 m) of inside bucket elevators;     (c)Floors of enclosed areas containing grinding equipment;     (d)Floors of enclosed areas containing grain dryers located inside the facility.    (e)The employer shall immediately remove any fugitive grain dust accumulations whenever they exceed 1/8 inch (.32 cm) at priority housekeeping areas, pursuant to the housekeeping program, or shall demonstrate and assure, through the development and implementation of the housekeeping program, that equivalent protection is provided.

Issued

Aug 21, 2012

Abate by

Aug 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $1,200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(8):  Every floor hole into which persons can accidentally walk shall be guarded by a hole cover:    (a) Esplin Inc., dba Delta Elevator at 551 W. 5th St., Delta, CO 81416:  The floor near the door to the outside bins for load out had holes of a few to several inches long and wide.  This condition exposed the employees to tripping hazards and a walking surface that could cause a sprained ankle.

Issued

Aug 21, 2012

Abate by

Aug 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,600

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(b)(1): Every wall opening from which there is a drop of more than 4 feet shall be guarded:    (a) Esplin Inc., dba Delta Elevator at 551 W. 5th St., Delta, CO 81416:  The wall opening near the auger was not guarded.   This condition exposed the employees to a fall hazard in excess of 4 feet.

Issued

Aug 21, 2012

Abate by

Aug 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,600

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 except where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder:    (a) Esplin Inc., dba Delta Elevator at 551 W. 5th St., Delta, CO 81416:  Employees must walk on the roof to access the ladder leading to the outside bins for load out and the stairs leading to the top of the metal bins.  The employees are not protected from a fall hazard by a guardrail system.   This condition exposed the employees to a fall hazard in excess of 4 feet.

Issued

Aug 21, 2012

Abate by

Aug 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,600

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1):  The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure and employee training to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, start up or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment would be isolated, and rendered inoperative in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4):    (a)Esplin Inc., dba Delta Elevator at 551 W. 5th St., Delta, CO 81416: The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure and employee training to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, start up or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment would be isolated, and rendered inoperative, including but not limited to the following:    (1)Cleaner;  (2)Hammer Mill;  (3)Make-Up Bin;  (4)Steamer;  (5)Bagger    Abatement Note:  As part of an energy-control program, employers must:    (1)Establish energy-control procedures for removing the energy supply from machines and for putting appropriate lockout or tagout devices on the energy-isolating devices to prevent unexpected reenergization.  When appropriate, the procedure also must address stored or potentially reaccumulated energy.    (2)Train employees on the energy-control program, including the safe application, use, and removal of energy controls; and    (3)Inspect these procedures periodically (at least annually) to ensure that they are being followed and that they remain effective in preventing employee exposure to hazardous energy.    The energy-control procedures must outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques that employees will use to control hazardous energy sources, as well as the means that will be used to enforce compliance.  These procedures must provide employees at least the following information:    (1)A statement on how to use the procedures;    (2)Specific procedural steps to shut down, isolate, block, and secure machines;    (3)Specific steps designating the safe placement, removal, and transfer of lockout/tagout devices and identifying who has responsibility for the lockout/tagout devices; and    (4)Specific requirements for testing machines to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy-control measures.

Issued

Aug 21, 2012

Abate by

Aug 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,600

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1):  Point(s) or operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s):    (a) Esplin Inc., dba Delta Elevator at 551 W. 5th St., Delta, CO 81416:  The employees were exposed to unguarded rotating parts in that the auger used to mix the molasses into the mixture prior to bagging is not guarded.  This condition exposed the employees to an amputation hazard.

Issued

Aug 21, 2012

Abate by

Aug 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,600

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 at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) & (o):    (a)Esplin Inc., dba Delta Elevator at 551 W. 5th St., Delta, CO 81416:  The employer did not ensure that the belt and pulley apparatus on the cleaner, hammer mill and steamer within arms reach of the employees was guarded.  This condition exposed employees to the hazard of rotating parts.

Issued

Aug 21, 2012

Abate by

Aug 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i): Horizontal belts which had both runs 42 inches or less from the floor level were not fully enclosed by guards conforming to requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    (a)Esplin Inc., dba Delta Elevator at 551 W. 5th St., Delta, CO 81416:  The employer did not ensure that the belt and pulley apparatus on the cleaner, hammer mill and steamer within arms reach of the employees was guarded.  This condition exposed employees to the hazard of rotating parts.

Issued

Aug 21, 2012

Abate by

Aug 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3):  Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:     (a)Esplin Inc., dba Delta Elevator at 551 W. 5th St., Delta, CO 81416:   The drive sprocket and chain on the bottom of the roller was not provided with guards.  This condition exposed employees to amputation hazards of ingoing nip points.

Issued

Aug 21, 2012

Abate by

Aug 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,600

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(e)(1):  The employer did not provide training to employees at least annually and when changes in job assignment will expose them to new hazards:    (a)Esplin Inc., dba Delta Elevator at 551 W.  5th St., Delta, CO 81416:  The employer did not provide training to employees at least annually in that no training was conducted at this site.  This condition exposed the employees to hazards associated with the elevator.    Abatement Note:  Current employees, and new employees prior to starting work, shall be trained in at least the following:    (a)General safety precautions associated with the facility, including recognition and preventive measures for the hazards related to dust accumulations and common ignition sources such as smoking; and,    (b)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.

Issued

Aug 21, 2012

Abate by

Aug 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(i): The employer did not issue a permit for entering bins, silos, or tanks unless the employer or the employer's representative (who would otherwise authorize the permit) is present during the entire operation.     (a)Esplin Inc., dba Delta Elevator at 551 W. 5th St., Delta, CO 81416: The employer did not ensure the atmosphere in the bins and silos classified as a permit required confined space as tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors, and toxic agents prior to employee entry.  This hazard exposed the employees to hazards associated with permit required confined spaces.    Abatement Note:   The permit shall certify that the precautions contained in this paragraph (1910.272(g)) have been implemented prior to employees entering bins, silos or tanks. The permit shall be kept on file until completion of the entry operations.

Issued

Aug 21, 2012

Abate by

Aug 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.272(g)(1)(iii): The atmosphere within a bin, silo, tank, and other grain storage structure in the grain handling facility was not tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors, and toxic agents prior to employee entry:      (a)Esplin Inc., dba Delta Elevator at 551 W. 5th St., Delta, CO 81416: The employer did not ensure the atmosphere in the bins and silos classified as a permit required confined space as tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors, and toxic agents prior to employee entry.  This hazard exposed the employees to hazards associated with permit required confined spaces.

Issued

Aug 21, 2012

Abate by

Aug 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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)Esplin Inc., dba Delta Elevator at 551 W. 5th St., Delta, CO 81416:  The employer did not provide rescue equipment suited for the bins and silos.  An employee enters the hopper bottomed bins and silos to clean without rescue equipment on site.  This condition exposed the employees to potential fall and atmospheric hazards.

Issued

Aug 21, 2012

Abate by

Aug 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(5): The employee acting as an observer for bin, tank, or silo entry operations in the grain handling facility was not trained in rescue procedures, including notification methods for obtaining additional assistance:                                                                                                           (a)Esplin Inc., dba Delta Elevator at 551 W. 5th St., Delta, CO 81416:  The employer did not ensure the employees acting as observers when employees entered bins was not trained in rescue procedures.  This condition exposed the employees to potential fall and atmospheric hazards.

Issued

Aug 21, 2012

Abate by

Aug 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,600

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2):  Listed or labeled equipment were not installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling:    (a)Esplin Inc., dba Delta Elevator at 551 W. 5th St., Delta, CO 81416:  The employer did not ensure the electrical lighting in the ceiling of the basement was used in accordance with the manufacturers design of the equipment.  The lights were designed to be used with the glass globe to maintain the integrity of the light as intrinsically safe to be used in a classified location.  The employer has removed the glass globes from the fixture which created an ignition source in event the class II combustible dust reached a concentration for ignition.