OSHA Inspection: AGROWSTAR LLC

Issued

Jan 9, 2014

Abate by

Feb 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees when exposed to struck-by and caught inbetween hazards during operation of worksite equipment:    a) Dawson Grain Handling Facility, on or about the net times preceding to July 23, 2013, the employees were exposed to being struck-by or caught inbetween hazards when operating the  Massey Ferguson tractor that was not equipped with functioning brakes, horn, guarded power takeoff, and had leaking hydraulic fluid.

Issued

Jan 9, 2014

Abate by

Feb 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,400 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:     a) Dawson Grain Handling Facility, on or about and at times preceding to, July 23, 2013, platforms used to access grain bins at side doors were not enclosed with a guardrail system, exposing employees up to a 22 1/2 foot fall hazard.

Issued

Jan 9, 2014

Abate by

Feb 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $2,100

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):    (a) Dawson Grain Handling Facility, on or about and at times proceeding to July 23, 2013, Pulley located at top of elevator was not fully enclosed, exposing employees to laceration hazards during greasing process.

Issued

Jan 9, 2014

Abate by

Feb 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i): Vertical or inclined belt(s) were not enclosed by guard(s) conforming to the requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    (a) Dawson Grain Handling Facility, on or about and at times proceeding to July 23, 2013, inclined belt on top of the elevator was not enclosed to prevent clothing entanglement during lubricating processes.

Issued

Jan 9, 2014

Abate by

Feb 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,400 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 assignments would expose them to new hazards in the grain handling facilities. Current employees, and new employees shall be trained prior to starting work on hazards associated with grain handling facilities:    (a) Dawson grain handling facility, on or about it at times preceding to July 23, 2013, employees, including temporary employees, had not received training on the hazards of bin entry, cleaning procedures, housekeeping procedures, preventative maintenance procedures, and lockout/tag out procedures.

Issued

Jan 9, 2014

Abate by

Feb 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,200 Reduced

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, blocked off, or otherwise prevented from operating:    (a) Dawson Grain Handling Facility, on or about, and at times preceding to July 23, 2013, the screw auger was not locked out or otherwise prevented from operating, while employees were shoveling grain inside grain storage bin, which exposed employees to amputation hazards.

Issued

Jan 9, 2014

Abate by

Feb 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,400 Reduced

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 oxygen content prior to employee entry:    (a) Dawson Grain Handling Facility, on or about and at times preceding to July 23, 2013, grain bin #1 was not atmospheric tested prior to entrance on July 8, 2013, to clean out bin in preparation for a new crop.

Issued

Jan 9, 2014

Abate by

Feb 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(4): The employer shall provide equipment for rescue operations which is specifically suited for the bin, silo, or tank being entered.    a) Dawson Grain Handling Facility, on or about and at times proceeding to July 23, 2013, this facility is not equipped with rescue equipment to safely extract an employee from the inside of a grain bin through elevated to 2' x 3' elevated entrance/access.

Issued

Jan 9, 2014

Abate by

Feb 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(1): The employer did not develop and implement a written housekeeping program that established the frequency and the method(s) determined best to reduce accumulations of fugitive grain dust on ledges, floors, equipment, and other exposed areas:    (a) Dawson Grain Handling Facility, on or about and at times preceding to July 23, 2013, a written housekeeping program had not been established for areas such as, but not limited to; dryer area, receiving pits, conveyor pits and bucket elevators.

Issued

Jan 9, 2014

Abate by

Feb 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(6): 29 CFR 1910.303(b)(6): Equipment located in damp or wet locations and exposed to exterior weather elements was not identified for that purpose.    (a) Dawson Grain Handling Facility, on or about and at times proceeding to July 23, 2013, 480 Volt pendant receptacle, which had deteriorated, was permanently installed on the exterior of the grain bin #1 & grain bin #6, exposing them to environmental conditions, resulting in an electrical hazard.

Issued

Jan 9, 2014

Abate by

Feb 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $2,100

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(i): Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not protected from abrasions:      (a) Dawson Grain Handling Facility, on or about and at times proceeding to July 23, 2013, the conductor entering into junction disconnect box on bin #6 was exposed to sharp metal surface.

Issued

Jan 9, 2014

Abate by

Feb 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c)(2)(i): Equipment in hazardous (classified) location(s) was not approved for the class of location:    a) Dawson Grain Handling Facility, on or about and at times proceeding to July 23, 2013, a halogen lamp was used to illuminate grain bins during bin cleaning operations.

Issued

Jan 9, 2014

Abate by

Feb 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(f)(4): Diconnects were not capable of accepting a lock. Disconnecting means required by this subpart shall be capable of being locked in the open position.    a) Dawson Grain Handling Facility, bin #6, on or about and it times preceding to July 23, 2013, 480 volt electrical disconnect panel was not equipped to accept a lock, not allowing the exhaust fans to be maintained in a zero energy state.