OSHA Inspection: POSTERITY PELLETS, LLC

Issued

2013-03-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-04-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2000.00 · Current $2000.00

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: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to engulfment hazards in areas where wood sawdust was stored.    (a)  Upstairs bulk saw dust storage area:  On or about October 18, 2012, and at times prior thereto, employees walk on top of the wood saw dust to maintain the flow into the screw augers and are exposed to engulfment hazards.    Note 1: Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

2013-03-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-05-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1600.00 · Current $1600.00

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) Establishment wide (upstairs/downstairs): On or about October 18, 2012, and at times prior thereto, accumulations of saw dust, a Class II Group G combustible dust, generated during the milling process of the biomass and dispensing area of the wood pellets and had settled on the floor area, equipment surfaces, electrical conduit, breaker panel boxes, and disconnects.    Note: Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

2013-03-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-04-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b):     Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.:    (a) Upstairs in the main electrical room:  On or about October 18, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the Roy E Hanson compressor, serial 11572 was used to blow-down Class II Group G combustible dust for cleaning purposes and the gauge was set between 75-90 psi.     Note: Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

2013-03-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-05-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1600.00 · Current $1600.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(c)(2)(vi)(a):     The employer did not provide powered industrial trucks designated as EX for use in an atmosphere in which combustible dust is or may be in suspension continuously, intermittently, or periodically under normal operating conditions, in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures, or where mechanical failure or abnormal operation of machinery or equipment might cause such mixtures to be produced.    (a)  Main floor: On or about October 18, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the propane powered forklift used in the workplace was not designated as 'EX'.    Note: Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

2013-03-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-05-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(ii):  The employer did not ensure that each operator had successfully completed the training required by paragraph (l), except as permitted by paragraph (l)(5), prior to permitting an employee to operate a power industrial truck:    (a)  In and around the processing area; On or about October 18, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not provide training and an evaluation prior to allowing an employee to operate a forklift.    Note: Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

2013-03-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-05-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1600.00 · Current $1600.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1):     Machine guarding was not provided to protect operator(s) and other employees from hazard(s) created by unguarded augers:    (a)  Upstairs on the SW corner: On or about October 18, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the employee shovels pine saw dust into the horizontal screw auger that was not guarded.    (b) Upstairs next to pine sawdust storage area with wall separation: On or about October 18, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the employee shovels white fir and/or doug fir saw dust into the horizontal screw auger that was not guarded.    Note: Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

2013-03-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-05-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3):     Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven 7 feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:    (a)  SW corner entry into the building: On or about October 18, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the chain and sprocket on the take away auger did not have a guard.    Note: Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

2013-03-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-04-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1600.00 · Current $1600.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1):     Electrical equipment was not free from recognized hazards that were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees, in that the employer did not ensure the safety of the equipment pursuant to the considerations in sections (i) through (viii) of 29 CR 1910.303(b)(1):    (a)  Exterior storage shed: On or about October 18, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not identify and remove damaged extension cords from use.     Note: Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

2013-03-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-04-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(c)(3)(i):     All splices and joints and the free ends of the conductors were not covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device identified for the purpose.     (a)  Shop office:  On or about October 18, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the lamp used for general illumination had exposed spliced conductors with wire nut caps on the ends and held together with a hardened steel binder clip.    Note: Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

2013-03-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-04-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii):     Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:    (a) Electrical Room: On or about October 18, 2012, and a times prior thereto, the electrical circuit breaker panel had an uncovered breaker slot.     Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

2013-03-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-05-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c):     Equipment, wiring methods, and installations of equipment in hazardous (classified) locations were not intrinsically safe, approved for the hazardous (classified) location, or safe for the hazardous (classified) location:    (a)  Throughout the worplace (upstairs/downstairs): On or about October 18, 2012, and at times prior thereto,Class II Group G combustible dust.  The dispensiing and mixing of sawdust created the release of dust intermittently throughout the day.  General purpose wiring, breaker panel boxes, disconnect switches, receptacles, and electric motors were not dust-tight ignition proof and approved for Class II Division 1 locations.      Note: Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

2013-03-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-05-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(1)(iii):     Stairway(s) less than 44 inches wide having both sides open, did not have one stair railing on each side:    (a)  Main Electrical Room: On or about October 18, 2012 and at times prior thereto, four risers up and/or down were not equipped with a secure stair rail with a top rail and/or midrail.    Note: Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

2013-03-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-04-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2):     Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":    (a)  Main entry on the south side: On or about October 18, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not have any Exit signs posted.    (b) Side entry on the west side: On or about October 18, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not have any Exit signs posted.    Note: Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

2013-03-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-04-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1):     The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present, or were likely to be present, which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment:    (a)  On or about October 18, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine what personal protective equipment was required.

Issued

2013-03-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-05-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(i):     The employer did not determine if the voluntary use of a respirator did not in itself create a hazard:    (a) Shop:  On or about October 18, 2012, and at times prior thereto, employees donned half face respirators with particulate/organic vapor cartridges and were not provided essential information contained in Appendix D.    Note: Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

2013-03-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-05-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(ii):     The employer did not establish and implement those elements of a written program necessary to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily was medically able to use that respirator, and that the respirator was cleaned, stored, and maintained so that its use does not present a health hazard to the user:    (a)  On or about October 18, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not have the employee's health status evaluated by a physician prior to authorizing voluntary use of a respirator.    (b)  On or about October 18, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not develop and/or implement procedures to ensure respirators were cleaned, stored, and maintained in accordance with manufacture guidelines.     Note:  Abatement certification IS required for this item.