OSHA Inspection: GERMAN PELLETS TEXAS, LLC

Issued

Apr 21, 2014

Abate by

May 22, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4): When the employer decided that its employees would enter permit spaces, the employer did not develop and implement a written permit space entry program that complied with 29 CFR 1910.146:      At the facility, in the wood pellet storage silos #1 through #5:  On November 10, 2013, and times thereafter, the employer did not develop or implement a written permit space entry program when employees were directed to work inside of wood pellet storage silos, exposing employees to atmospheric and engulfment hazards.

Issued

Apr 21, 2014

Abate by

May 22, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(5)(ii)(C): Before an employee entered a space, the internal atmosphere was not tested with a calibrated direct-reading instrument for oxygen, flammable gases and vapors and potential toxic air contaminants:  At the facility, in the wood pellet storage silos #1 through #5:  On November 10, 2013, and times thereafter, the employer did not test the internal atmosphere for oxygen, flammable gases and vapors and potential toxic air contaminants when employees were directed to work inside of wood pellet storage silos, exposing employees to atmospheric hazards.

Issued

Apr 21, 2014

Abate by

May 22, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:     At the facility, in the wood pellet storage silos #1 through #5:  On November 10, 2013 and times thereafter, the employer did not develop or utilize energy control procedures when contract employees replaced the electric drive motor for the sweep auger inside of a wood pellet storage silo, exposing employees to electrical and caught-in hazards.

Issued

Apr 21, 2014

Abate by

May 22, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): The  point of operation of machines whose operation exposed an employee to injury, was not guarded:     At the facility, in the wood pellet storage silos #1 through #5:  On November 10, 2013, and times thereafter, employees worked on piles of wood pellets 20 to 50 feet above, and at lower levels in immediate proximity to an operating sweep auger inside of wood pellet storage silos, exposing employees to caught-by and amputation hazards.

Issued

Apr 21, 2014

Abate by

May 22, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c)(2)(i): Equipment in hazardous (classified) location(s) was not approved for the ignitable or combustible properties of the specific gas, vapor, dust, or fiber that was or could be present:     At the facility, in the wood pellet storage silos #1 through #5:  On November 10, 2013, and times thereafter, the employer provided portable lighting not rated for classified location use when employees were directed to work inside of wood pellet storage silos containing a Class II explosive dust, exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards.

Issued

Apr 21, 2014

Abate by

May 22, 2014

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $350 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE):     At the facility, in the wood pellet storage silos #1 through #5:  On November 10, 2013, and times thereafter, the employer did not assess the workplace and properly select personal protective equipment when employees were directed to work inside of wood pellet storage silos, exposing employees to inhalation, eye and skin hazards.

Issued

Apr 21, 2014

Abate by

May 22, 2014

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $350 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:       At the facility, in the wood pellet storage silos #1 through #5:  On November 10, 2013, and times thereafter, the employer did not develop or implement a respiratory protection program when employees were required to wear filtering facepiece (dust mask) respirators while exposed to wood dust working inside wood pellet storage silos, exposing employees to inhalation and cardio-pulmonary distress hazards.