OSHA Inspection: ALLEN MITCHEK FEED AND GRAIN CO.

Issued

Apr 3, 2013

Abate by

Jul 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1):  The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces are permit-required confined spaces:      (a)Allen Mitchek Elevator at 247 Sierra Vista Ave., Sterling, CO 80751:  The employer did not evaluate the boot pits and dump pits to determine if they are permit required confined spaces.  This condition exposed the employee to atmospheric and/or configuration hazards as he entered the dump pits.

Issued

Apr 3, 2013

Abate by

Jul 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:      (a)Allen Mitchek Elevator at 247 Sierra Vista Ave., Sterling, CO 80751:  The employer did not inform employees of the existence of permit spaces by posting danger signs.  This condition exposed the employee to atmospheric and/or configuration hazards as he entered the dump pits.

Issued

Apr 3, 2013

Abate by

Jul 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4): When the employer decided that its employees would enter permit spaces, the employer did not develop and implement a written permit space program that complied with this section:      (a)Allen Mitchek Elevator at 247 Sierra Vista Ave., Sterling, CO 80751:  The employer did not develop and implement a written permit-required confined space program that identified the hazards, control of the hazards and entry procedures specific for this location.  This condition exposed the employee to the hazards such as atmospheric and engulfment, associated with permit-required confined spaces at the facility to include but not limited to dump pits.

Issued

Apr 3, 2013

Abate by

Jul 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3):  The employer did not develop and implement the means, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations:      (a)Allen Mitchek Elevator at 247 Sierra Vista Ave., Sterling, CO 80751:  The employer did not develop safe practices and procedures prior to assigning employees to enter the dump pits.  This condition exposed the employee to atmospheric and/or configuration hazards when he entered the dump pits.

Issued

Apr 3, 2013

Abate by

Jul 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(k)(1)(i): The employer did not evaluate a prospective rescuer's ability to respond to a rescue summons in a timely manner, considering the hazard(s) identified:      (a)Allen Mitchek Elevator at 247 Sierra Vista Ave., Sterling, CO 80751:  The employer did not evaluate the ability of a prospective rescuer's ability to respond in a timely manner if necessary when an employee is in a permit required confined space.  This condition exposed the employee to atmospheric and/or configuration hazards as he entered the dump pits.

Issued

Apr 3, 2013

Abate by

Jul 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(e)(1): Before entry is authorized, the employer did not document the completion of measures required by paragraph (d)(3) of this section by preparing an entry permit:      (a)Allen Mitchek Elevator at 247 Sierra Vista Ave., Sterling, CO 80751:  The employer did not evaluate the boot pits and dump pits to determine if they are permit required confined spaces.  This condition exposed the employee to atmospheric and/or configuration hazards as he entered the dump pits.

Issued

Apr 3, 2013

Abate by

Jul 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(g)(1):  The employer did not 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:      (a)Allen Mitchek Elevator at 247 Sierra Vista Ave., Sterling, CO 80751:  When the employer required an employee to enter a permit required confined space, the employer did not provide required training to the employee.  This condition exposed the employee to atmospheric and/or configuration hazards as he entered the dump pits.

Issued

Apr 3, 2013

Abate by

Jul 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(e)(1):  The employer did not provide training to employees at least annually and when changes in job assignment will expose them to new hazards:    (a)Allen Mitchek Elevator at 247 Sierra Vista Ave., Sterling, CO 80751:  The employer did not provide training to employees at least annually in that no training was conducted at this site.  This condition exposed the employee to hazards associated with the elevator such as but not limited to dust and confined spaces.    Abatement Note:  Current employees, and new employees prior to starting work, shall be trained in at least the following:    (a)General safety precautions associated with the facility, including recognition and preventive measures for the hazards related to dust accumulations and common ignition sources such as smoking; and,    (b)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, preventive maintenance procedures and lock-out/tag-out procedures.

Issued

Apr 3, 2013

Abate by

Jul 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(i): The employer did not issue a permit for entering bins, silos, or tanks unless the employer or the employer's representative (who would otherwise authorize the permit) is present during the entire operation.     (a)Allen Mitchek Elevator at 247 Sierra Vista Ave., Sterling, CO 80751: When an employer's representative was not present at the entry, the employer did not ensure a permit was issued prior to an employee entering the silos.  This hazard exposed the employee to hazards associated with permit required confined spaces.    Abatement Note:   The permit shall certify that the precautions contained in this paragraph (1910.272(g)) have been implemented prior to employees entering bins, silos or tanks. The permit shall be kept on file until completion of the entry operations.

Issued

Apr 3, 2013

Abate by

Jul 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.272(g)(1)(iii): The atmosphere within a bin, silo, tank, and other grain storage structure in the grain handling facility was not tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors, and toxic agents prior to employee entry:      (a)Allen Mitchek Elevator at 247 Sierra Vista Ave., Sterling, CO 80751: The employer did not ensure the atmosphere in the bins and silos was tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors, and toxic agents prior to employee entry.  This hazard exposed the employee to hazards associated with permit required confined spaces.

Issued

Apr 3, 2013

Abate by

Jul 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(4): The employer did not provide equipment for rescue operations, which was specifically suited for the bin, silo, or tank being entered:                                                                          (a)Allen Mitchek Elevator at 247 Sierra Vista Ave., Sterling, CO 80751:  The employer did not provide rescue equipment suited for the bins and silos.  An employee enters the hopper bottomed bins and silos to clean without rescue equipment on site.  This condition exposed the employee to potential fall and atmospheric hazards.

Issued

Apr 3, 2013

Abate by

Jul 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(5): The employee acting as an observer for bin, tank, or silo entry operations in the grain handling facility was not trained in rescue procedures, including notification methods for obtaining additional assistance:                                                                                                           (a)Allen Mitchek Elevator at 247 Sierra Vista Ave., Sterling, CO 80751:  The employer did not ensure the employees acting as observers when employees entered bins was not trained in rescue procedures.  This condition exposed the employee to potential fall and atmospheric hazards.

Issued

Apr 3, 2013

Abate by

Jul 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(2)(i):  When outside servicing personnel were engaged in activities in a facility, the on-site employer and the outside employer did not inform each other of their respective lockout or tagout procedures:      (a)Allen Mitchek Elevator at 247 Sierra Vista Ave., Sterling, CO 80751:   When outside servicing personnel were engaged in activities at the facility, such as but not limited to servicing of the leg, the employer did not inform the contractors of the specific lockout or tagout procedures.  This condition exposed the contractor to amputation hazards.    Abatement Note:  As part of an energy-control program, employers must:    (1)Establish energy-control procedures for removing the energy supply from machines and for putting appropriate lockout or tagout devices on the energy-isolating devices to prevent unexpected reenergization.  When appropriate, the procedure also must address stored or potentially reaccumulated energy.    (2)Train employees on the energy-control program, including the safe application, use, and removal of energy controls; and    (3)Inspect these procedures periodically (at least annually) to ensure that they are being followed and that they remain effective in preventing employee exposure to hazardous energy.    The energy-control procedures must outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques that employees will use to control hazardous energy sources, as well as the means that will be used to enforce compliance.  These procedures must provide employees at least the following information:    (1)A statement on how to use the procedures;    (2)Specific procedural steps to shut down, isolate, block, and secure machines;    (3)Specific steps designating the safe placement, removal, and transfer of lockout/tagout devices and identifying who has responsibility for the lockout/tagout devices; and    (4)Specific requirements for testing machines to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy-control measures.

Issued

Apr 3, 2013

Abate by

Jul 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(1):  The employer did not develop and implement a written housekeeping program that establishes the frequency and method(s) determined best to reduce accumulations of fugitive grain dust on ledges, floors, equipment, and other exposed surfaces:    (a)Allen Mitchek Elevator at 247 Sierra Vista Ave., Sterling, CO 80751:  The employer did not have a written housekeeping program to ensure the frequency and method to reduce accumulations of fugitive dust.  This condition exposed the employee to possible fire and/or explosion hazards.      Abatement Note:  In addition, the housekeeping program for grain elevators shall address fugitive grain dust accumulations at priority housekeeping areas.     (a)Priority housekeeping areas shall include at least the following:  (b)Floor areas within 35 feet (10.7 m) of inside bucket elevators;  (c)Floors of enclosed areas containing grinding equipment;  (d)Floors of enclosed areas containing grain dryers located inside the facility.  (e)The employer shall immediately remove any fugitive grain dust accumulations whenever they exceed 1/8 inch (.32 cm) at priority housekeeping areas, pursuant to the housekeeping program, or shall demonstrate and assure, through the development and implementation of the housekeeping program, that equivalent protection is provided.