OSHA Inspection: CONFLUENCE ENERGY, LLC

Issued

Mar 8, 2013

Abate by

Apr 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,080 · Current $1,848 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):  Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to stuck by hazards associated with broken and or nonfunctioning material handling equipment.    (a)  Confluence Energy, 1809 Highway 9, Kremmling, CO: On or about October 11, 2012, the following hazards were noted on the Tigercat 240B log loader.     1) Two of the 6 overhead lights used during night operations were broken.  2) The horn to warn employees of approaching danger was nonfunctioning.  3) The operator cab window (side) to prevent dirt from entering the cab was missing.  4)  The step leading into the operators cab was substantially distorted creating a tripping hazard.   5) The grappler mechanism was not properly functioning. At times, the hydraulic pressure would lessen while suspending a load for unknown reasons. The unit continues to leak hydraulic fluid.

Issued

Mar 8, 2013

Abate by

Apr 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,080 · Current $1,848 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.27(d)(2)(ii): Landing platforms were not equipped with standard railings and toeboards so arranged as to give safe access to and from the ladder. Platforms were not constructed of sufficient size to provide a safe access space of not less than 24 inches in width and 30 inches in length.    a)  Confluence Energy, LLC, 1809 Highway 9, Kremmling, CO:  Located at the top of the ladder used to access the airlock motor platform, employees are required to climb over guardrails installed between the ladder extensions.  Conditions exposed employees accessing the platform to a fall hazard of approximately 10 feet.    b)  Confluence Energy, LLC, 1809 Highway 9, Kremmling, CO: The platform used to support the dryer feed airlock motor was constructed without a minimum clear space of at least 24 inches in width and 30 inches in length. Condition exposed employees performing maintenance and/or servicing the airlock motor to a fall hazard of approximately 10 feet.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (See enclosed Abatement-Certification Letter).

Issued

Mar 8, 2013

Abate by

Apr 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.27(d)(3): The side rails of through or side-step ladder extensions did not extend 3 1/2 feet above paraphets and landings:    a) Confluence Energy, LLC, 1809 Highway 9, Kremmling, CO.  Located at the top of the ladder used to access the airlock motor platform, one of the two ladder extensions was installed flush with the landing platform.  Condition exposed employees accessing the platform to a fall hazard of approximately 10 feet.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (See enclosed Abatement-Certification Letter).

Issued

Mar 8, 2013

Abate by

Mar 27, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,080 · Current $1,848 Reduced

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)  Confluence Energy, LLC, 1809 Highway 9, Kremmling, CO: The employer did not ensure established permit entry forms were completed prior to entering and cleaning the multi pass dryer drum. The employer has an established cleaning schedule requiring entry into the wood dryer drum on a weekly basis to remove accumulated wood residue (pitch).  The employers confined space programs identify the multi pass dryer drum as a permit required space.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (See enclosed Abatement-Certification Letter).

Issued

Mar 8, 2013

Abate by

Apr 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,160 · Current $3,696 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms or service rooms were not kept clean and orderly or in a sanitary condition.    (a)  Confluence Energy, LLC, 1809 Highway 9, Kremmling, CO: The employer had not developed and implemented a comprehensive housekeeping program to control the accumulation of fugitive combustible dust in and around the following areas:    1) Located around the outside dryer heater, windblown combustible dust accumulates against the hot dryer base. As a result of this condition, employees use flexible water hoses to extinguish fires that periodically occur. Condition expose employees to burn hazards associated with fire.    2) Located inside the pellet manufacturing building near the out-feed side of the rotating multi pass wood chip dryer, accumulation of combustible dust was allowed to accumulate on ledges and plastic wall insulation. Condition expose employees to burn hazards associated with fire.    3) Located inside the building at the bottom of the pellet dryer pit, the accumulation of combustible wood product was noted. Condition expose employees to burn hazards associated with fire.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (See enclosed Abatement-Certification Letter).    Confluence Energy was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and health standard or its equivalent standard CFR 29 1910.22(a)(1) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 311908594, citation number 1, item number 2a, issued on January 20, 2009, with respect to a workplace located at 1809 Highway 9, Kremmling, CO.

Issued

Mar 8, 2013

Abate by

Apr 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify, through a written certification, the identity of the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation had been performed, and the date the hazard assessment was done:    (a)  Confluence Energy, LLC, 1809 Highway 9, Kremmling, CO: The employer had not developed a written certified document acknowledging the completion of a comprehensive hazard assessment of the workplace.     Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (See enclosed Abatement-Certification Letter).    Abatement Note: The written certification must identify the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.    Abatement Note:  If the employer determines that hazards are or may be present, the employer shall implement the following:  1) Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment;  2)  Communicate selection decisions to each affected employee; and,  3)  Select PPE that properly fits each affected employee. Note: Non-mandatory 1910.132 Appendix B contains an example of procedures that would comply with the requirement for a hazard assessment.

Issued

Mar 8, 2013

Abate by

Apr 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct periodic inspection(s) of all energy control procedures at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed:    a) Confluence Energy, LLC  Prior to October 11, 2012, the employer had not conducted annual review(s) of the employers written energy control procedures including but not limited to:  1) The multi pass dryer  2) Chipper  3) Hammer Mill  4) Pellet Mills\  5) 75 and 50 foot conveyor  6) Motor control station.    Abatement Note: The employer shall certify (in writing) that the periodic inspections above have been performed. The certification shall identify the machine or equipment on which the energy control procedure was being utilized, the date of the inspection, the employees included in the inspection, and the person performing the inspection.       Abatement Note: Per 29 CFR 1910.147( C )(6), the periodic inspection must determine that all topics listed in paragraphs [A] through [D] are being evaluated.

Issued

Mar 8, 2013

Abate by

Apr 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(iv): The employer had not certified that employee training had been accomplished and kept up to date:    (a)  Confluence Energy, LLC, 1809 Highway 9, Kremmling, CO: The employer had not ensured appropriate training regarding energy isolation control/methods (lockout/tagout) was accomplished and kept up to date with records containing the name and date of training for each employee.     Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (See enclosed Abatement-Certification Letter).