OSHA Inspection: FARMERS COOPERATIVE COMPANY

Issued

Jul 19, 2013

Abate by

Nov 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2):     The employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces:    At Farmers Cooperative Company in Talmage, NE:  The employer failed to ensure that danger signs or other effective means were used to inform employees of the existence , location and dangers of permit required confined spaces.  There are three boot pits located at the facility; none of them were identified as permit required confined spaces.

Issued

Jul 19, 2013

Abate by

Nov 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(4):     The employer did not provide the equipment specified in paragraphs (d)(4)(i)-(d)(4)(ix) of this section at no cost to employees, did not maintain that equipment properly, and/or did not ensure that employees use that equipment properly.    At Farmers Cooperative in Talmage, NE: The employer failed to provide atmospheric testing and monitoring equipment for its employees required to enter permit required confined spaces for the purposes of performing work operations. Employees of the cooperative are required to enter the boot pits of the facility to clean out grain and to grease zerks on the auger and on the leg.

Issued

Jul 19, 2013

Abate by

Nov 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(6):     The employer did not provide at least one attendant outside the permit space into which entry was authorized for the duration of entry operations:    At Farmers Cooperative Company in Talmage, NE:  The employer failed to ensure that employees entering permit required confined spaces were provided at least one attendant for the duration of the work operation.

Issued

Jul 19, 2013

Abate by

Nov 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(9):     The employer did not develop and implement procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services, for rescuing entrants from permit spaces, for providing necessary emergency services to rescued employees, and/or for preventing unauthorized personnel from attempting a rescue:    At Farmers Cooperative Company in Talmage, NE: The employer did not develop and implement rescue procedures for the employees entering permit required confined spaces. The employer stated that they depend on the 911 system in town however none of the EMS services have been to or are familiar with the location, configuration or hazards of the confined spaces at the facility.

Issued

Jul 19, 2013

Abate by

Nov 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $2,000

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:    At Farmers Cooperative Company in Talmage, NE: On Monday, January 21, 2013, the employer failed to document the completion of safety measures required by 29CFR 1910.146(d)(3) prior to allowing an employee of the company to enter the boot pit at the soybean flat storage on the South side of the facility; to grease zerks.

Issued

Jul 19, 2013

Abate by

Nov 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(g)(1):     The employer shall provide training so that all employees whose work is regulated by this section acquire the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned under this section.     At Farmers Cooperative Company in Talmage, NE : The employer failed to ensure that employees that perform work in confined spaces were adequately trained to understand the skills required to safely work inside of permit required spaces.

Issued

Jul 19, 2013

Abate by

Nov 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 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):    At Farmers Cooperative Company in Talmage, NE: The employer failed to ensure that pulleys to the draw auger(s) were fully enclosed or guardeds as to prevent contact by employees in areas such but not limited to:    a) outside bin #1- pulley not enclosed;  b) outside bin #2- pulley not enclosed;  c) outside bin #3- pulley not enclosed.

Issued

Jul 19, 2013

Abate by

Nov 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):    At Farmers Cooperative Company in Talmage, NE: The employer failed to ensure that vertical or inclined belt(s) were fully enclosed or guarded as to prevent contact by employees in areas such as but not limited to:    a) outside bin #1- belt not enclosed;  b) outside bin #2- belt not enclosed;  c) outside bin #3- belt not enclosed.

Issued

Jul 19, 2013

Abate by

Nov 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $2,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(e)(2):     Employees assigned 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 safety:    At Farmers Cooperative Company in Talmage, NE:  The employer failed to ensure that employees entering the grain bins and silos were trained in the recognition of hazardous conditions theyre exposed to.