OSHA Inspection: FARMERS COOPERATIVE COMPANY

Issued

Jul 12, 2013

Abate by

Aug 7, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(3): The employer did not ensure that every hatchway and chute floor opening was guarded by either a hinged floor opening cover of standard strength and construction equipped with standard railings or permanently attached thereto so as to leave only one exposed side, or by a removable railing with toeboard on not more than two sides of the opening and fixed standard railings with toeboards on all other exposed sides:    Employees performing housekeeping and maintenance duties were exposed to fall hazards of approximately 9 feet to the next level.  There was not a hatchway cover for the ladder opening in the motor platform floor of the headhouse.

Issued

Jul 12, 2013

Abate by

Aug 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent) and toeboards:  Employees performing housekeeping and maintenance duties were exposed to fall hazards  to the next lower level for the following locations:      a)  Motor platform.  The mid rail was missing on the guardrail installed next to the bucket elevator leg motor exposing employees to a fall hazard of approximately 9 feet.    b) Motor platform.  There was no fall protection on the west side of the platform between the edge of the platform and the window exposing employees to a fall hazard of 24 feet 4.5 inches.

Issued

Jul 12, 2013

Abate by

Aug 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,450 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):   Employees performing housekeeping duties and elevator operations were exposed to amputation hazards in that the pulleys were not guarded for the following locations:     a)      Drive pulleys for the gallery conveyor belt were not guarded on the back side.  b)      Drive pulleys for the tunnel conveyor belt were not guarded on the back side.  c)      End pulley/roller for the gallery conveyor belt in-going nip point was not guarded.

Issued

Jul 12, 2013

Abate by

Aug 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i): Horizontal belts which had both runs seven feet or less from the floor level were not guarded with a guard that extended to at least fifteen inches above the belt:    Employees performing housekeeping duties and elevator operations were exposed to amputation hazards in that the pulleys were not guarded for the following locations:     a)      Drive belts for the gallery conveyor belt were not guarded on the back side.  b)      Drive belts for the tunnel conveyor belt were not guarded on the back side.  c)      End pulley/roller for the gallery conveyor belt in-going nip point was not guarded.

Issued

Jul 12, 2013

Abate by

Aug 7, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,430 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(2)(ii): The employer did not immediately remove any fugitive grain dust accumulations whenever the exceeded 1/8 inch (.32cm) at priority housekeeping areas, pursuant to the housekeeping program for grain elevators:    Employees performing grain elevator operations were exposed to fire and explosion hazards in that combustible dusts were allowed to accumulate at the flowing locations:     a)      Grain elevator tunnel adjacent to the bucket elevator leg.  Dust and chaff measured 1.5 inches deep.  b)      Grain elevator tunnel, 8 feet 5 inches from the bucket elevator leg.  Dust measured over 7 inches deep.  c)      Grain elevator boot pit adjacent to the bucket elevator leg.  Corn and dust measured 6.75 inches deep.

Issued

Jul 12, 2013

Abate by

Aug 7, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c)(3): Equipment was not safe for the location in that it was not of a type and design that the employer demonstrated would provide protection from the hazards arising from the combustibility and flammability of vapors, liquids, gases, dusts, or fibers involved:   Employees performing grain elevator operations were exposed to fire and explosion hazards in that a non-hazardous location rated extension cord was available for use.  A job made extension cord "pigtail" with a Class II connector on one end and a standard cord and plug on the other end was hanging on the bucket elevator leg on the bin deck of the headhouse.