OSHA Inspection: HEARTLAND MILL, INC

Issued

Jan 23, 2013

Abate by

Mar 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):   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:    Employees in the flour mill were exposed to fire and explosion hazards in that the cyclones were not provided with explosion venting or suppression systems.  The cyclones at the following locations had explosion vents but they were not vented to the outside:    a)  Cyclone used to power the pneumatic conveyance of material from the stone mills.    b)  Cyclone used to power the pneumatic conveyance of flour for the bagging system.    Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method is to vent the air material separators to the outside with ductwork  as stated in NFPA 61 Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities, 2008 edition, paragraph 11.4.1 Air-material separators connected to processes that are potential sources of ignition such as hammermills, ovens, and direct-fired dryers, and other similar equipment placed inside or outside of buildings shall be protected in accordance with Section 6.3.

Issued

Jan 23, 2013

Abate by

Jan 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,380 · Current $1,666 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(2):  Runways four feet or more above floor or ground level were not guarded by standard railings (or the equivalent) and toeboards:Note:  Toeboards are only required where tools, machine parts, or materials are likely to be used on the runway.    Employees accessing the steel bin tops to take measurements were exposed to fall hazards up to 20 feet to the concrete below.  The guardrails installed on the angled bin tops were were missing midrails.

Issued

Jan 23, 2013

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(i):  Vertical clearance above any stair tread to an overhead obstruction was not at least 7 feet measured from the leading edge of the tread:    Employees accessing milling platform in the Oat Plant were exposed to struck-by hazards in that the head clearance on the stair platform was only 5 feet 7 inches.

Issued

Jan 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,380 · Current $1,666 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2):  Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":    Employees working in the flour mill were exposed to hazards associated with poor emergency egress. The exit door from the north side of the flour mill near the bucket elevator leg was not marked.

Issued

Jan 23, 2013

Abate by

Mar 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.110(b)(6)(ii):  Each individual container shall be located with respect to the nearest important building or group of buildings in accordance with Table H-23.    Employees working in the flour mill were exposed to fire hazards in that the propane tanks used to power the plant electrical generator were closer than 10 feet from the building.

Issued

Jan 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,450 Reduced

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:    Employees working in the boot pit and tunnel under the steel bins were exposed to amputation hazards.  The expanded metal grate over the auger was not bolted down and could become displaced when employees have to climb over the auger.

Issued

Jan 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,450 Reduced

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 in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    Employees operating the flour mill and grain handling equipment were exposed to amputation hazards in that the drive pulleys were not guarded for the following locations:    a)  Auger in the boot pit that feeds the bucket elevator leg.  b)  Main drive motor in the basement of the flour mill used to drive the rollers.  c)  Rail loadout auger drive motor

Issued

Jan 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i):  Vertical or inclined belt(s) were not enclosed by guard(s) conforming to the requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    Employees operating the flour mill and grain handling equipment were exposed to amputation hazards in that the drive belts were not guarded for the following locations:    a)  Auger in the boot pit that feeds the bucket elevator leg.  b)  Main drive motor in the basement of the flour mill used to drive the rollers.  c)  Rail loadout auger drive motor

Issued

Jan 23, 2013

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,430 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(2)(ii):  The employer did not immediately remove any fugitive grain dust accumulations whenever the exceeded 1/8 inch (.32cm) at priority housekeeping areas, pursuant to the housekeeping program for grain elevators:    Employees working in the grain elevator and flour mill were exposed to fire and explosion hazards.  The boot pit of the grain elevator had dust accumulations at the following locations:    a)  Dust measured 7/8 of an inch on the cover of the auger from the tunnel to the bucket elevator leg.  b)  Dust measured 3/8 of an inch in the edge of the casing of the auger from the tunnel to the bucket elevator leg.

Issued

Jan 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,380 · Current $1,666 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(k):  Receiving pit feed openings in the grain handling facility, such as truck or railcar receiving pits, were not covered by grates which had a maximum opening width of 2 1/2 inches:    Employees working in the grain elevator and flour mill were exposed to fire and explosion hazards.  The grate opening for the truck dump next to the flour mill had a section that was bent creating openings 3 ? inches.

Issued

Jan 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i):  Pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers approved for the purpose:    Employees operating the rail loud out auger were exposed to electrical shock hazards.  The cover for the junction box on the load out auger was missing exposing the 120 volt AC electrical wires.

Issued

Jan 23, 2013

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(1)(i):  The chemical manufacturer, importer, or distributor did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals leaving the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the identity of the hazardous chemicals: (Agriculture Reference:    Employees working in the flour mill were exposed to fire hazards in that the silver tank along the north outside wall was not labeled with it contents.

Issued

Jan 23, 2013

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(1)(ii):  The chemical manufacturer, importer, or distributor did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals leaving the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the appropriate hazard warnings:    Employees working in the flour mill were exposed to fire hazards in that the silver tank along the north outside wall was not labeled with hazards associated with the contents.

Issued

Jan 23, 2013

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii):  Flexible cords were not connected to devices and fittings so that tension would not be transmitted to joints or terminal screws:    The electrical cord used to power the rail load out auger was not provided with strain relief.