OSHA Inspection: RUSHCREEK FEED & SUPPLY COMPANY

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

May 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(e)(1):     A standard railing shall consist of top rail, intermediate rail, and posts, and shall have a vertical height of 42 inches nominal from upper surface of top rail to floor, platform, runway, or ramp level. The top rail shall be smooth-surfaced throughout the length of the railing. The intermediate rail shall be approximately halfway between the top rail and the floor, platform, runway, or ramp. The ends of the rails shall not overhang the terminal posts except where such overhang does not constitute a projection hazard.    a.     In the back warehouse overhead storage where the employer stored tires., spare parts and boards, the employer did not install a guardrail system to protect employees working in the overhead storage from a nine foot fall hazard.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

May 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(9):     Every floor hole into which persons cannot accidentally walk (on account of fixed machinery, equipment, or walls) shall be protected by a cover that leaves no openings more than 1 inch wide. The cover shall be securely held in place to prevent tools or materials from falling through.    a.     On the second level of the mill there was a 22 inch opening between the bin and work platform where employees come to clean and perform maintenance on the equipment, there was not a cover secured in place to prevent an employee from falling through to the next level thereby exposing employees to a fall hazard.    b.      On the second level of the mill there was a 22 inch opening between the walking/working platform and the mixer where employees come to clean and perform maintenance on the equipment, there was not a cover secured in place to prevent an employee from falling to the next level thereby exposing employees to a fall hazard.     c.      On the second level of the mill there was a 21 inch opening between the walking/working platform and the second bin where employees come to clean and perform maintenance on the equipment, there was not a cover secured in place to prevent an employee from falling to the next level thereby exposing employees to a fall hazard.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

May 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $420 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(e):     "Angle of stairway rise." Fixed stairs shall be installed at angles to the horizontal of between 30 deg. and 50 deg. Any uniform combination of rise/tread dimensions may be used that will result in a stairway at an angle to the horizontal within the permissible range. Table D-1 gives rise/tread dimensions which will produce a stairway within the permissible range, stating the angle to the horizontal produced by each combination. However, the rise/tread combinations are not limited to those given in Table D-1.                              Table D-1  ____________________________________________________________________                                                    Angle to horizontal     Rise (in inches)   Tread run (in inches)  __________________________ __________________ ______________________                                                 30 deg. 35'...............             6 1/2                 11  32 deg. 08'...............             6 3/4             10 3/4  33 deg. 41'...............                 7             10 1/2  35 deg. 16'...............             7 1/4             10 1/4  36 deg. 52'...............             7 1/2                 10  38 deg. 29'...............             7 3/4              9 3/4  40 deg. 08'...............                 8              9 1/2  41 deg. 44'...............             8 1/4              9 1/4  43 deg. 22'...............             8 1/2                  9  45 deg. 00'...............             8 3/4              8 3/4  46 deg. 38'...............                 9              8 1/2  48 deg. 16'...............             9 1/4              8 1/4  49 deg. 54'...............             9 1/2                  8  __________________________ __________________ ______________________    a.     On the first floor to the basement, the stairway ange was measued at 60 degrees thereby exposing employees to a fall hazard.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

May 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $420 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(1):     Where the employer has provided portable fire extinguishers for employee use in the workplace, the employer shall also provide an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting.    a.     On the site where fire extinguishers were provided for employees to extinguish small incipient stage fires, the employer did not provide an educational program for employees to understand the classes of fire and the proper use of fire extinguishers thereby exposing employees to a fire/explosion hazard.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

May 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $420 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(i):     Refresher training, including an evaluation of the effectiveness of that training, shall be conducted as required by paragraph (l)(4)(ii) to ensure that the operator has the knowledge and skills needed to operate the powered industrial truck safely.    29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(iii):     An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance shall be conducted at least once every three years.    a.   Employees who operated powered industrial trucks were not provided refresher training at least every three years thereby exposing employees to a struck-by hazard.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

May 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(iii):     All operator training and evaluation shall be conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence.    a.     On the site where employees operated powered industrial trucks, the employer did not have a peson knowledgeable to conduct the training of powered industrial truck operators thereby exposing employees to a struck by hazard.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

Apr 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $420 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(5):     Exposure of blades. When the periphery of the blades of a fan is less than seven (7) feet above the floor or working level, the blades shall be guarded. The guard shall have openings no larger than one-half (1/2) inch.    a.     In the bin pit area, there was a dryer fan which had a guard over the blade which measured 4 inches thereby exposing employees to a caught-in/struck-by hazard.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $560 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9):     Exposure adjustment. Safety guards of the types described in Subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this paragraph, where the operator stands in front of the opening, shall be constructed so that the peripheral protecting member can be adjusted to the constantly decreasing diameter of the wheel. The maximum angular exposure above the horizontal plane of the wheel spindle as specified in paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this section shall never be exceeded, and the distance between the wheel periphery and the adjustable tongue or the end of the peripheral member at the top shall never exceed one-fourth inch. (See Figures O-18, O-19, O-20, O-21, O-22, and O-23.)      a.     In the back warehouse where the maintenance shop is located, there was a Dayton Pedestal grinder which the left grinding wheel had a 1 1/2 inch opening between the grinding wheel and the tongue guard thereby exposing employees to a caught-in hazard.    b.      In the back warehouse where the maintenance shop is located, there was a Dayton Pedestal grinder which the right grinding wheel had a 1 inch opening between the grinding wheel and the tongue guard thereby exposing employees to a caught-in hazard.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

May 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $420 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(2)(i):     All exposed parts of horizontal shafting seven (7) feet or less from floor or working platform, excepting runways used exclusively for oiling, or running adjustments, shall be protected by a stationary casing enclosing shafting completely or by a trough enclosing sides and top or sides and bottom of shafting as location requires.      a.     On the second level of the mill, there was an unguarded opening of 3 inches to the shaft and 6 inches to the point of operation thereby exposing employees to a contact hazard.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

May 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i):     Where both runs of horizontal belts are seven (7) feet or less from the floor level, the guard shall extend to at least fifteen (15) inches above the belt or to a standard height, except that where both runs of a horizontal belt are 42 inches or less from the floor, the belt shall be fully enclosed in accordance with paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section.    a.    In the basement of the mill, the belt and pulley to the grinder were located, the employer did not properly guard the belt and pulley by fully enclosing the belts thereby exposing employees to a caught-in hazard.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

May 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $420 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(e)(1)(ii):     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.    a.     In the grain handling facility, employees were not trained in the specific hazards relating to housekeeping requirements, lock-out/tag-out procedures thereby exposing employees to a contact hazard.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

May 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $420 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(iii):     The atmosphere within a bin, silo, or tank shall be tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors, and toxic agents when the employer has reason to believe they may be present. Additionally, the atmosphere within a bin, silo, or tank shall be tested for oxygen content unless there is continuous natural air movement or continuous forced-air ventilation before and during the period employees are inside. If the oxygen level is less than 19.5%, or if combustible gas or vapor is detected in excess of 10% of the lower flammable limit, or if toxic agents are present in excess of the ceiling values listed in Subpart Z of 29 CFR Part 1910, or if toxic agents are present in concentrations that will cause health effects which prevent employees from effecting self-rescue or communication to obtain assistance, the following provisions apply.      a.     On the site where employees entered bins to perform cleaning operations, the employer did not test the atmosphere for the presense of combustible gases thereby exposing employees to a fire/explosion hazard.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

May 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(k):     Grate openings. Receiving-pit feed openings, such as truck or railcar receiving-pits, shall be covered by grates. The width of openings in the grates shall be a maximum of 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm).    a.     At the grinding mill dump pit where trucks dump whole ears of corn into the grinder, the employer failed to install grates across the openings thereby exposing employee to a caught-in hazard.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

Apr 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $420 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(f)(1):     Motors and appliances. Each disconnecting means required by this subpart for motors and appliances shall be legibly marked to indicate its purpose, unless located and arranged so the purpose is evident.    a.     In the grain dump area, the disconnect was not marked as to the equipment it controlled thereby exposing employees to a contact hazard.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(ii):     Working space required by this standard may not be used for storage. When normally enclosed live parts are exposed for inspection or servicing, the working space, if in a passageway or general open space, shall be suitably guarded.    a.     On the east side of the main warehouse there were shelves with animal feed and other supplies were stored, the rack was placed directly in front of the electrical panel limiting access to the electrical equipment thereby exposing employees to a contact hazard.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

Apr 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $420 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii):     Unused openings in cabinets, boxes, and fittings shall be effectively closed.    a.     In the grain dump area, there were three circuit breakers missing in the Auger energized electrical panel thereby exposing employees to a contact hazard.    b.      In the grain dump area, there were two missing circuit breakers missing in the energized three phase electrical panel thereby exposing employees to a contact hazard.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

Apr 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $420 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv):     Unless specifically permitted otherwise in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section, flexible cords and cables may not be used:    29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A):     As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure;    a.     In the fertilizer warehouse where the employer used an air compressor, the extension cord was used as temporary wiring to supply power thereby exposing employees to a contact hazard.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

May 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1):     The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall:    29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(i):     Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment;    a.     On the site of the grain elevator where employees performed several tasks which included entering grain bins, working around equipment and various other tasks, the employer did not perform a hazard assessment to determine which personal protective was needed to perform ther task.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

May 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.145(c)(3):     Safety instruction signs. Safety instruction signs shall be used where there is a need for general instructions and suggestions relative to safety measures.    a.     On the site where doors were located to areas where the presence of combustible dust was possible, the employer did not install combustible dust signs.

Issued

Apr 2, 2013

Abate by

May 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1):     Employers shall develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met, and which also includes the following:    a.     On the site where employees used chemicals such as, but not limited to, propane, the employer did not develop a hazard communication program which informed employees of procedures for handling, dispensing and storeing hazardous chemicals thereby exposing employees to a contact hazard.