OSHA Inspection: HOLMES AG SERVICE, INC.

Issued

Oct 17, 2012

Abate by

Nov 16, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(1):  The employer shall 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.  At the workplace, the employer did not develop and implement a written housekeeping program that established the frequency and methods(s) determined best to reduce accumulations of fugitive grain dust on ledges, floors, equipment, and other exposed surfaces including priority housekeeping areas in locations including, but not limited to, the following:  mill mixing area and mill basement.

Issued

Oct 17, 2012

Abate by

Nov 16, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $680 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200M102M104

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(2)(ii):  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:    a.  In the mill mixing area, fugitive grain dust accumulations of 0.185 to 1.75 inches which had covered floor surfaces such as the floor around the Henke roller mill (model: DB182; S/N: 10294), under the auger from the Henke roller mill, and behind the 5 ton Blue Streak Twin Spiral Mixer were not immediately removed.    b.  In the mill mixing area, fugitive grain dust accumulations of 0.135 to 0.614 inches which had covered upper surfaces such as surfaces of the Henke roller mill, breaker box for the Henke roller mill, switches, junction boxes, louvers for the West wall fan, electrical panel on the West wall under the window, West wall window sill, storage shelf, hammer hanging on the West wall, ridges on the South corrugated metal half wall, electrical conduit on the South wall, and electrical conduit on the North side of the mixers and roller mill were not immediately removed.    c.  In the mill basement, fugitive grain dust accumulations which had covered the floor and other surfaces were not immediately removed.

Issued

Oct 17, 2012

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $680 Reduced

Hazardous substances E101E200M104

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c):  Electrical installations.  Equipment, wiring methods, and installations of equipment in hazardous (classified) locations shall be intrinsically safe, approved for the hazardous (classified) location, or safe for the hazardous (classified) location. Requirements for each of these options are as follows:    a.  In the mill mixing area, electrical equipment including, but not limited to, the duplex receptacle used to energize a portable Lasko fan, three snap switches for lights, switches for the auger and roller mill, snap switch for the wall fans, snap switch with duplex receptacle for the two wall fans, and ceiling light with junction box on the North side of the 5 ton Blue Streak Twin Spiral mixer in a Class II, Division 1 location were not intrinsically safe, approved for a Class II, Division 1 location, or safe for a Class II, Division 1 location.    b.  In the mill mixing area, electrical equipment including, but not limited to, the Stihl BG 86/C leaf blower (No. 279972554) and a Power Twin 55 gallon drum vacuum (S/N: 3384) used for cleaning fugitive grain dust in a Class II, Division 1 location were not intrinsically safe, approved for a Class II, Division 1 location, or safe for a Class II, Division 1 location.     c.  In the South area of the feed mill where the bins were located, electrical equipment including, but not limited to, the ceiling light with junction box under bins 5/4 and 3/2 and the ceiling light with junction box under bins 8/7 and 10/9 in a Class II, Division 1 location were not intrinsically safe, approved for a Class II, Division 1 location, or safe for a Class II, Division 1 location.

Issued

Oct 17, 2012

Abate by

Nov 16, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.145(c)(2)(i):  Caution signs shall be used only to warn against potential hazards or to caution against unsafe practices:    a.  At the East side entrance to the mixing area of the mill, the employer did not have a combustible dust hazard sign where explosive grain dust atmospheres may occur due to the handling of grain.    b.  At the East side entrance to the bin area of the mill, the employer did not have a combustible dust hazard sign where explosive grain dust atmospheres may occur due to the handling of grain.    c.  At the West side entrances to the feed mill, the employer did not have combustible dust hazard signs where explosive grain dust atmospheres may occur due to the handling of grain.    d.  At the entrances to the partially enclosed truck receiving pit, the employer did not have combustible dust hazard signs where explosive grain dust atmospheres may occur due to the handling of grain.

Issued

Oct 17, 2012

Abate by

Nov 16, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(e)(1)(i):  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:    a.  At the mill, the employer did not provide annual combustible grain dust training including employee recognition and preventative measures for the hazards related to dust accumulations and common ignition sources.