OSHA Inspection: SHEPPARD GRAIN, INC.

Issued

2014-02-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-03-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1600.00 · Current $800.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.9(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels (dBA) measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:  a) Soy bean plant, on or about 12/20/13: Machine operator in the soy bean plant was exposed to 87.4 decibels (dBA) of noise, based on an eight hour time weighted average (TWA), for the 400 minute sampling period. A zero increment was included for the 80 minutes not sampled. No hearing conservation program was in place.  An effective hearing conservation program includes, but is not limited to:   1) providing a baseline audiogram for employees exposed to noise above 85 dBA and subsequent audiograms annually,  2) providing an option of hearing protector use for employees exposed to noise above 85 dBA,  3) providing a choice of hearing protectors for employee use,  4) requiring use of hearing protection in areas over 90 dBA or for employees with hearing loss exposed to noise above 85 dBA,   5) supervising the use of hearing protector,   6) posting a copy of the OSHA Hearing Conservation Standard, 29 CFR 1910.95, and  7) training employees exposed to noise above on hearing conservation annually.    Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

2014-02-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-03-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1200.00 · Current $600.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1): The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces:  a) Soybean extraction area, on or about 12/20/13: Confined spaces such dryers and 10,000 gallon soybean oil tanks were not evaluated for permit confined space hazards including, but not limited to, oxygen deficient atmospheres  Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

2014-02-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-03-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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:   a) Soybean extraction area, on or about 12/20/13: Written energy control procedures were not written for employees entering dryers, operating on electrical energy and natural gas.  Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.