OSHA Inspection: WESTFEEDS, INC.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Nov 29, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(2): Ladderway floor opening(s) or platform(s) were not guarded by a standard railing with standard toeboard(s) on all exposed sides (except at the entrance to opening) with the passage through the railing either provided with a swinging gate or so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the opening:       (a) Mill room: On May 8, 2013 and at times prior, employees were exposed to a fall from height of approximately 10 feet while doing housekeeping maintenance on the elevated platforms.          (b) Top Shaker area: On May 8, 2013 and at times prior, employees were exposed to a fall from height of approximately 15 feet while doing maintenance on the elevated platform.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Nov 29, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(5): Every pit and trapdoor floor opening, infrequently used,was not guarded by a floor opening cover of standard strength and construction. While the cover is not in place, the pit or trap opening was not constantly attended by someone or was not protected on all exposed sides by removable standard railings:       (a) Bin Top Floor: On May 8, 2013 and at times prior, employees were exposed to a fall from height of approximately 4-60 feet while using a five gallon bucket to lower and hoist feed material during grain bin entries.          (b) Mill room: On May 8, 2013 and at times prior, employees were exposed to a trip and/or fall while working in the mill room with the cover removed from a grate. The unguarded opening was approximately five inches deep.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Nov 29, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level was not guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) on all open sides except where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder:       (a) Mill room: On May 8, 2013 and at times prior, employees were exposed to a fall from height of approximately 9 feet while doing housekeeping maintenance on the elevated platforms.       (b) Top Shaker Area: On May 8, 2013 and at times prior, employees were exposed to a fall from height of approximately 8 feet while doing maintenance on the elevated platform.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Nov 29, 2013

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2): Portable fire extinguishers were not visually inspected at least monthly:    (a) Westfeeds: On or about May 8, 2013 and at times prior, employees were exposed to explosion and/or severe burn hazards due to no fire extinguishing system and no noted monthly inspections on fire extinguishers throughout the facility.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Dec 16, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(d): The employer did not develop and implement an emergency action plan meeting the requirements contained in 1910.38(a):    (a) Westfeeds: On or about May 8, 2013, and at times prior, employees were exposed to being trapped and severely burned or overcome by smoke in the event of an emergency due to an ineffectively communicated emergency action plan.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Nov 29, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:      (a) Maintenance Room:  On May 8, 2013 and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught by hazards from rotating parts while operating an Orbit model drill press with an unguarded rotating chuck.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Nov 29, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9): The distance between the abrasive wheel periphery(s) and the adjustable tongue or the end of the safety guard peripheral member at the top exceeded one fourth inch:     (a) Maintenance Shop: On or about May 8, 2013 and at times prior, employees were exposed to struck by hazards while operating a grinder with no tongue guards in place to contain parts or pieces within the grinder if the grinding wheel shatters.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Nov 29, 2013

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(i): Projecting shaft ends projected more than one-half the diameter of the shaft without being guarded by nonrotating caps or safety sleeves:       (a) Top Shaker area: On or about May 8, 2013 and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught-by hazards while working in and around the unguarded portions of the shaft ends on the grain transferring equipment.       (b) Mill room: On or about May 8, 2013, and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught-by hazards while working in and around the unguarded portions drive shaft ends on the California Pellet Mills.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Nov 29, 2013

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulleys, any parts of which are seven (7) feet or less from the floor or working platform, were not guarded in accordance with the standards specified in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section:       (a) Mill room:  On May 8, 2013 and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught by hazards while doing housekeeping duties on the elevated platforms in and around the unguarded drive pulleys and belts.       (b) Top Shaker area:  On May 8, 2013 and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught by hazards while doing housekeeping duties on the elevated platforms in and around the unguarded drive pulleys and belts.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Nov 29, 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:      (a) Mill room:  On May 8, 2013 and at times prior, employees were exposed to in-going nip points while doing housekeeping duties on the elevated platforms in and around the unguarded drive pulleys and belts.     (b) Top Shaker area:  On May 8, 2013 and at times prior, employees were exposed toin-going nip points while doing housekeeping duties on the elevated platforms in and around the unguarded drive pulleys and belts.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Nov 29, 2013

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(i)(2): Bolt(s), nuts, or setscrews used in shaft coupling(s) extended beyond the flange of the coupling and were not covered with safety sleeve(s):       (a) Top Shaker area: On or about May 8, 2013 and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught-by hazards while working in and around the unguarded portions of the drive shafts on the grain transferring equipment.       (b) Mill room: On or about May 8, 2013, and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught-by hazards while working in in and around the unguarded portions of the drive shafts on the California Pellet Mills.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Dec 16, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(i): The employer did not issue a permit for entering bins, silos or tanks in the grain handling facility before the employees entered the bins, silos, or tanks:       (a) Bin Top Floor Area: On or about May 8, 2013, and at times prior, employees were exposed to the hazards associated with entering a Permit Required Confined Space while cleaning, inspecting, and maintaining grain storage areas such as but not limited to the grain bin. Employees were entering the permit space without having the space evaluated for hazards, the methods of controlling the hazards, or otherwise protecting employees from these hazards and regulating employee entry into the permit space.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Dec 16, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(ii): Prior to entry, all mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment which presented a danger to employees inside grain storage structures in the grain handling facility were not disconnected, locked out and tagged:       (a) Bin Top Floor Area: On or about May 8, 2013, and at times prior, employees are exposed to being overcome by grain dust and/or an oxygen deficient environment and the unexpected re-energizing of the grain bin lower openings while cleaning, inspecting, and maintaining grain storage areas such as but not limited to the grain bin.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Dec 16, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(iii): The atmosphere within a bin, silo, or tank in the grain handling facility was not tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors, and toxic agents prior to employee entry:                                                               (a)Bin Top Floor Area: On or about May 08, 2013 and at times prior, employees were exposed to respiratory hazards, such as but not limited to, being overcome with hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide gases or an oxygen deficiency while cleaning, inspecting, and maintaining grain storage areas such as but not limited to the grain bin while entering without testing the atmosphere.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Dec 16, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

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) Bin Top Floor Area: On or about May 8, 2013, and at times prior, employees were exposed to being overcome by hazards such as but not limited to, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide gases and/or an oxygen deficient environment, discharges unexpectedly re-energizing while cleaning, inspecting, and maintaining grain storage areas such as but not limited to the grain bin without rescue equipment onsite.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Dec 16, 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) Westfeeds: On or about May 8, 2013, and at times prior, employees were exposed to being overcome by hazards such as but not limited to, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide gases and/or an oxygen deficient environment, and discharges unexpectedly re-energizing while cleaning, inspecting, and maintaining grain storage areas such as but not limited to the grain bin without having training for summoning rescue and emergency services, and preventing untrained employees from entering the permit required confined space to attempt rescue.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Dec 16, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(1): The employer did not develop and implement an effective 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) Mill room: On or about May 8, 2013, and at times prior, employees were exposed to grain dust explosions due to an accumulation of Class II grain dust from approximately 1 inch to 3 inches on the equipment and ledges.     (b) Bin Top Floor Area: On or about May 8, 2013, and at times prior, employees were exposed to grain dust explosions due to an accumulation of Class II grain dust from approximately 1 inch to 3 inches on the equipment and ledges.     (c) Top Shaker Area: On or about May 8, 2013, and at times prior, employees were exposed to grain dust explosions due to an accumulation of Class II grain dust from approximately 1 inch to 3 inches on the equipment and ledges.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Dec 16, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(2)(ii): The employer did not immediately remove any fugitive grain dust accumulations whenever they exceed 1/8 inch (.32 cm) at priority housekeeping areas, pursuant to the housekeeping program,did not demonstrate and assure, through the development and implementation of the housekeeping program, that equivalent protection is provided:       (a) Mill room: On or about May 8, 2013, and at times prior, employees were exposed to grain dust explosions due to an accumulation of Class II grain dust from approximately 1 inch to 3 inches on the equipment and ledges from the lack of adequate cleaning practices.     (b) Bin Top Floor Area: On or about May 8, 2013, and at times prior, employees were exposed to grain dust explosions due to an accumulation of Class II grain dust from approximately 1 inch to 3 inches on the equipment and ledges from the lack of adequate cleaning practices.     (c) Top Shaker Area: On or about May 8, 2013, and at times prior, employees were exposed to grain dust explosions due to an accumulation of Class II grain dust from approximately 1 inch to 3 inches on the equipment and ledges from the lack of adequate cleaning practices.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Dec 16, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(m)(4): The employer did not implement procedures in the grain handling facility for the use of tags and locks which would prevent the inadvertent application of energy or motion to equipment being repaired, serviced, or adjusted:       (a) Mill room: On or about May 8, 2013, and at times prior, employees were exposed to unexpected energization while performing maintenance on the California Pellet Mills while working without the protection of lock/tag out.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Nov 29, 2013

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii):  Flexible cords were not connected to devices and fittings so that tension would not be transmitted to joints or terminal screws:      (a) Room off of Mill Room: On May 8, 2013 and at times prior, employees were exposed to fire and electrical shock hazards due to the outer sheathing of an electrical cord that was broken and exposed internal wires. The extension cord was used to provide electrical energy to the roof fan.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Nov 29, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(6): The employer did not provide the basic advisory information on respirators, as presented in Appendix D of 29 CFR 1910.134, in written or oral format to employees who wear respirators when such use was not required by the employer:  (a) Westfeeds: On or about May 8, 2013 and at times prior, the employees who voluntarily wore filtering face piece respirators were not given the information contained in Appendix D.