OSHA Inspection: MIDWESTERN FARMS INC.

Issued

Dec 31, 2012

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,400 Reduced

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 effected means.    (a)Guardrails or other effective means of protection were not provided to an opening on a grate platform above an approximate 12 foot deep water pit used to transport potatoes.           ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

Dec 31, 2012

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i):     The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l):    (a)  Forklift operators at the facility were not formally trained and evaluated to ensure each powered industrial truck operator was competent.         ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

Dec 31, 2012

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(6):     Industrial trucks were altered so that the relative positions of the various parts were different from when they were originally received from the manufacturer, or through the addition or elimination of parts except as provided in paragraph (q) (12) of this section:    (a)  A Nissan forklift in operation had the seatbelt removed.         ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

Dec 31, 2012

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(m)(5)(iii):     Powered industrial truck(s), with the operator dismounted and within 25 feet of the truck still in his view, did not have the load engaging means fully lowered:    (a)  On or about 8/24/2012 an employee on a Nissan forklift in the cold storage room dismounted the forklift with a pallet of potato boxes elevated to transfer the boxes to another pallet.         ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

Dec 31, 2012

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(i):     Unguarded projecting shaft end(s) did not present a smooth edge and end and projected more than one half the diameter of the shaft:    (a)  Unguarded projecting shaft ends projected more than one half the diameter of the shaft in several locations along the potato conveyor in the packaging area and potato handling area near the water pit.          ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

Dec 31, 2012

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

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)  Chains and sprockets on several pieces of equipment in the packaging area and Spudnik equipment used for potato handling were not guarded.         ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

Dec 31, 2012

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2):     Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:    (a)  In storage bin 101 a metal electric outlet box was connected to a flexible cable and used as an extension cord.          ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

Dec 31, 2012

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1):     Openings through which conductors enter boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:    (a)  Electrical conductors entering junction boxes did not have the conduit effectively closed exposing the conductors to abrasion and the elements.           ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

Dec 31, 2012

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2):     Each outlet box in completed installations did not have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy:    (a)  Junction boxes on the Spudnik potato piler in storage bin 101 were not provided, exposing conductors to dust and the elements.  (b)  A control panel for the Baby Spudnik machine located outside was not completely covered, exposing conductors to the elements.  	       ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

Dec 31, 2012

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(ii):     Hard-service cord and junior hard-service cord No. 14 and larger were repaired by splicing, which did not retain the insulation, outer sheath properties, and usage characteristics of the cord that was spliced:    (a)  A three wire flexible cord was spliced without retaining the same electrical insulation provided on the Baby Spudnik.         ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

Dec 31, 2012

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $280 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.4(a):     The employer did not record each work-related fatality, injury or illness case that resulted in the general recording criteria on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent:    Located at W11236 Aspen Ave. Plainfield, WI 54966:  On or about 8/24/2012 the employer did not record the following workplace injuries or illnesses on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent for the calendar year 2011-2012.    a) On or about 7/26/2012 an employee strained his left arm stacking bales of potatoes requiring him to see a doctor and was placed on light duty.           ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED