OSHA Inspection: WESTIN PACKAGED MEATS

Issued

Aug 8, 2013

Abate by

Aug 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms or service rooms were not kept clean and orderly or in a sanitary condition.     The employer is failing to protect employees from unsanitary working conditions and potential explosive hazards associated with the processing of corn starch without maintaining the cleanliness of the facility.  This was most recently evident during the inspection of the corn starch building for the facility located at 810 2nd Ave Fairbury, NE 68352, where the employer has employees re-bagging cornstarch under the companys marketed name without conducting proper cleaning of the facility thus leaving dust build up.  Instances include but are not limited to:   i.    A layer of cornstarch dust spread across the entire facility covering the floor where employees walk creating potential slipping hazards.   ii.   Cornstarch dust build up in excess of one eighth of an inch in many portions of the facility near electrical equipment and panels thus creating potential ignition points for a combustible dust explosion.   iii.  Cornstarch dust build up on several pieces of equipment to include but not limited to the bagging machine, forklift, distributer and others; thus preventing employees from reading visual warning and instruction labels.

Issued

Aug 8, 2013

Abate by

Aug 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,700 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(a)(6): The employer did not ensure that all nameplates and markings were in place:     The employer is failing to protect employees from potential struck by hazards associated with operating a forklift that is missing the data plate.  This was most recently evident during the inspection of the corn starch building for the facility located at 810 2nd Ave Fairbury, NE 68352, where the employer has employees operating the Nissan 50 forklift throughout the loading area to move product without a data plate to identify the truck as well as the trucks lifting limitations.

Issued

Aug 8, 2013

Abate by

Aug 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(m)(1)(i): Standard conditions were not secured by the use of the following materials:  expanded metal, perforated or solid sheet metal, wire mesh on a frame of angle iron, or iron pipe securely fastened to floor or to frame of machine:    The employer is failing to protect employees from potential amputation hazards associated with operating a large mixing machine with improperly guarded chains and sprockets.  This was most recently evident during the inspection of the facility located at 810 2nd Ave Fairbury, NE 68352, where the employer has employees operating the Reitz mixer used in preparation of the bacon bits and the doors on the end of the mixer that are intended to guard the very large chain and sprockets are not secured in a manner that best protects the operators.

Issued

Aug 8, 2013

Abate by

Aug 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(e)(1): Cabinets, cutout boxes, fittings, boxes, and panelboard enclosures in damp or wet locations were not installed to prevent moisture or water from entering and accumulating within the enclosures:    The employer is failing to protect employees from potential electrical hazards associated with inadequately secured electrical box in wet or damp working conditions.  This was most recently evident during the inspection of the ready to eat room of the facility located at 810 2nd Ave Fairbury, NE 68352, where the employer has employees working on and around the centrifuge electrical box where the locks and latches for the box broke 3 weeks earlier and the employer has attempted unsuccessfully to secure the water proof door with a strap leaving gaps in the door thus potentially exposing the internal 240v electrical components to water during the daily evening cleaning and nearby employees to electrical shock hazards.