OSHA Inspection: GREAT WESTERN PRODUCTS COMPANY, LLC

Issued

Jun 28, 2013

Abate by

Jul 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $1,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1):     Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level shall be guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) on all open sides except where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder. The railing shall be provided with a toeboard wherever, beneath the open sides,    Employees walking on top of the grain bins to access the top door were exposed to falling approximately 24 feet to the ground below because the area was not protected by a standard railing.

Issued

Jun 28, 2013

Abate by

Jul 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,120 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i):     The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator was competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by successful completion of training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l):    Employees working outside in the grain department used forks on a skid steer as a material handler to move and gather materials.  Prior to allowing employees to use the equipment, the employer did not ensure that each operator had completed training that included all of the truck and workplace related topics listed in the standard and completed an evaluation of the operators performance through practical exercises.

Issued

Jun 28, 2013

Abate by

Jul 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $1,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(e)(1)(ii):     Current employees, and new employees prior to starting work in the grain handling facility were not trained in the specific procedures and safety practices applicable to their job tasks including but not limited to cleaning procedures for grinding equipment, clearing procedures for choked legs, housekeeping procedures, hot work procedures, preventative maintenance procedures, and lockout/tagout procedures:    Employees were exposed to engulfment hazards, fire hazards, and amputation hazards when entering grain bins and working in the grain department, and employees were not trained in clearing procedures for choked legs, housekeeping procedures, hot work procedures, preventative maintenance procedures, and lockout/tagout procedures.

Issued

Jun 28, 2013

Abate by

Jul 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(e)(2):     Employees assigned to special tasks in the grain handling facility, such as bin entry and handling of flammable or toxic substances, were not provided training to perform these tasks safely:     Employees were exposed to engulfment hazards and amputation hazards while entering grain bins, which contained corn, and the employee was not adequately trained in bin entry or engulfment and mechanical hazards.

Issued

Jun 28, 2013

Abate by

Jul 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(i):     The employer did not issue a permit for entering bins, silos or tanks in the grain handling facility before the employees entered the bins, silos, or tanks:     Employees were exposed to amputation and engulfment hazards while entering grain bins, which contained corn, and a permit was not issued prior to entering the grain bin.

Issued

Jun 28, 2013

Abate by

Jul 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $1,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(ii):     Prior to entry, all mechanical. Electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment which presented a danger to employees inside bins, silos, or tanks in the grain handling facility were not disconnected, locked out and tagged, blocked off, or prevented from operating by other means or methods:     Employees were exposed to engulfment hazards and amputation hazards while entering grain bins, which contained corn, and mechanical and electrical equipment was not disconnected and/or deenergized prior to entering the grain bin.

Issued

Jun 28, 2013

Abate by

Jul 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(m)(4):   The employer did not implement procedures in the grain handling facility for the use of tags and locks which would prevent the inadvertent application of energy or motion to equipment being repaired, serviced, or adjusted, which could result in employee injury:  Employees who perform servicing and maintenance functions at the plant are exposed to the unexpected energization of the equipment and energy control procedures had not been developed, documented, or utilized to ensure the energy is controlled during this and other service and maintenance operations at the facility.  These energy control procedures would include a written lockout/tagout program, machine specific procedures, employee assigned locks and tags, a periodic inspection of the energy control procedures done at least annually, and employee training.

Issued

Jun 28, 2013

Abate by

Jul 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $1,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(2):     When standing on grain which posed engulfment hazards, employees did not wear a body harness with lifeline, or use a boatswain's chair that met the requirements of Subpart D, 29 CFR 1910.28(j):    Employees were exposed to engulfment hazards and amputation hazards while standing on stored grain in grain bins, which contained corn, and the employees were not wearing a body harness with lifeline or a boatswains chair.

Issued

Jun 28, 2013

Abate by

Jul 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $1,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(3):     In the grain handling facility an observer, equipped to provide assistance, was not stationed outside the bin, silo, or tank being entered by an employee:     Employees were exposed to engulfment hazards and amputation hazards while entering grain bins, which contained corn, and an observer was not stationed outside the grain bin during entry.

Issued

Jun 28, 2013

Abate by

Jul 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(4):     The employer of the grain handling facility did not provide equipment for rescue operations, which was specifically suited for the bin, silo, or tank being entered:     Employees were exposed to engulfment hazards and amputation hazards while entering grain bins, which contained corn, and rescue equipment was not provided.

Issued

Jun 28, 2013

Abate by

Jul 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,120 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(1):     The employer did not develop and implement a written housekeeping program that established the frequency and the method(s) determined best to reduce accumulations of fugitive grain dust on ledges, floors, equipment, and other exposed surfaces in the grain handling facility:     Employees were exposed to fire hazards within the facility because the employer did not implement a housekeeping program that established the frequency and methods to be used when cleaning up fugitive grain dust.

Issued

Jun 28, 2013

Abate by

Jul 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $1,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(m)(1)(i):     Preventive maintenance procedures in the grain handling facility were not implemented to provide regularly scheduled inspections of the mechanical and safety control equipment associated with dryers, grain stream processing equipment, dust collection equipment including filter collectors, and bucket elevators:    Employees working at the facility were exposed to fire and explosion hazards and the employer did not develop preventative maintenance procedures that included regular inspections of the grain processing equipment.