OSHA Inspection: FARMERS RICE MILLING COMPANY

Issued

Sep 12, 2014

Abate by

Oct 1, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,100 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:    1) The employer does not administer an audiometric testing program when employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA), or equivalent dose of fifty percent. This violation occurred on or about August 27th, 2014 when employees were exposed to sound levels above eighty-five (85) dBA in the Rough Rice Department.     2) The employer does not administer an audiometric testing program when employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA), or equivalent dose of fifty percent. This violation occurred on or about August 27th, 2014 when employees were exposed to sound levels above eighty-five (85) dBA in the 3rd Floor Bin Room.

Issued

Sep 12, 2014

Abate by

Oct 1, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,100 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:    On or about 08/13/2014, at 3211 Highway 397 in Lake Charles, the employer allowed employees to work in and around confined spaces in order to perform maintenance without evaluating the workplace to determine if any confined spaces were permit-required confined spaces.

Issued

Sep 12, 2014

Abate by

Oct 1, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(3): Compressed air was used to blow dust from ledges, walls, and other areas in grain handling facilities when machinery presenting an ignition source was not shut down, and/or when all other known potential ignition sources in the area were not removed or controlled:    On or about 08/13/2014, in the first floor of the Rough Rice Department, the employer allowed employees to use compressed air for housekeeping without ensuring potential ignition sources were removed and machinery was shut down.

Issued

Sep 12, 2014

Abate by

Oct 1, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(2): The educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting was not provided to all employees upon initial employment, and at least annually thereafter:  On or about 08/13/2014, at the facility located at 3211 Hwy 397 in Lake Charles, the employer expected employees to fight incipient stage fires without providing them with initial training.