OSHA Inspection: GRANVILLE MILLING COMPANY

Issued

Nov 6, 2014

Abate by

Dec 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.      a. The employer failed to perform a hazard assessment and document the PPE requirements. The employees were exposed to fall hazards and toxic vapors.

Issued

Nov 6, 2014

Abate by

Dec 2, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(c)(2)(vi)(a): Only approved power operated industrial trucks designated as EX shall be used in atmospheres in which combustible dust is or may be in suspension continuously, intermittently, or periodically under normal operating conditions, in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures, or where mechanical failure or abnormal operation of machinery or equipment might cause such mixtures to be produced.  a. The employer was using gasoline combustion engine fork trucks in a combustible dust atmosphere / Class 2 location. The employees were exposed to a fire/explosion hazard.  One feasible means of abatement would be to comply with the guidelines spelled out in the below referenced standard:  29 CFR 1910.178(c)(2)(vi)(b): The EX classification usually includes the working areas of grain handling and storage plants, room containing grinders or pulverizers, cleaners, graders, scalpers, open conveyors or spouts, open bins or hoppers, mixers, or blenders, automatic or hopper scales, packing machinery, elevator heads and boots, stock distributors, dust and stock collectors (except all-metal collectors vented to the outside), and all similar dust producing machinery and equipment in grain processing plants, starch plants, sugar pulverizing plants, malting plants, hay grinding plants, and other occupancies of similar nature; coal pulverizing plants (except where the pulverizing equipment is essentially dust tight); all working areas where metal dusts and powders are produced, processed, handled, packed, or stored (except in tight containers); and other similar locations where combustible dust may, under normal operating conditions, be present in the air in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures.

Issued

Nov 6, 2014

Abate by

Nov 27, 2014

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(2)(i): Guarding horizontal shafting. All exposed parts of horizontal shafting seven (7) feet or less from floor or working platform, excepting runways used exclusively for oiling, or running adjustments, shall be protected by a stationary casing enclosing shafting completely or by a trough enclosing sides and top or sides and bottom of shafting as location requires.   a. In the mix house a horizontal shaft on the Molasses pump motor was not guarded. The employees were exposed to a caught in hazard.

Issued

Nov 6, 2014

Abate by

Nov 27, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Guarding. Pulleys, any parts of which are seven (7) feet or less from the floor or working platform, shall be guarded in accordance with the standards specified in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section. Pulleys serving as balance wheels (e.g., punch presses) on which the point of contact between belt and pulley is more than six feet six inches (6 ft. 6 in.) from the floor or platform may be guarded with a disk covering the spokes.  a. In the mix house the belt and pulley system that runs the Sewing machine was not guarded from accidental contact. The employees were exposed to a caught in hazard.

Issued

Nov 6, 2014

Abate by

Nov 24, 2014

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(iii): The atmosphere within a bin, silo, or tank shall be tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors, and toxic agents when the employer has reason to believe they may be present. Additionally, the atmosphere within a bin, silo, or tank shall be tested for oxygen content unless there is continuous natural air movement or continuous forced-air ventilation before and during the period employees are inside. If the oxygen level is less than 19.5%, or if combustible gas or vapor is detected in excess of 10% of the lower flammable limit, or if toxic agents are present in excess of the ceiling values listed in Subpart Z of 29 CFR Part 1910, or if toxic agents are present in concentrations that will cause health effects which prevent employees from effecting self-rescue or communication to obtain assistance, the following provisions apply.    a. The employer does bin entry but does not have monitoring equipment to test the atmosphere prior to allowing employees to enter. The employees are exposed to toxic agents or an oxygen deficient atmosphere.

Issued

Nov 6, 2014

Abate by

Jan 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(2): Whenever an employee enters a grain storage structure from a level at or above the level of the stored grain or grain products, or whenever an employee walks or stands on or in stored grain of a depth which poses an engulfment hazard, the employer shall equip the employee with a body harness with lifeline, or a boatswain's chair that meets the requirements of subpart D of this part. The lifeline shall be so positioned, and of sufficient length, to prevent the employee from sinking further than waist-deep in the grain. Exception: Where the employer can demonstrate that the protection required by this paragraph is not feasible or creates a greater hazard, the employer shall provide an alternative means of protection which is demonstrated to prevent the employee from sinking further than waist-deep in the grain.   Note to paragraph (g)(2): When the employee is standing or walking on a surface which the employer demonstrates is free from engulfment hazards, the lifeline or alternative means may be disconnected or removed.    a. The employer does not have the employees use a life line when performing above level grain entry. The employees tie off to a pipe or other piece of equipment with a lanyard prior to entry. The employees are exposed to an engulfment hazard.

Issued

Nov 6, 2014

Abate by

Jan 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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. The employer does not have emergency rescue equipment such as retractable life line. The employees are exposed to an engulfment hazard.

Issued

Nov 6, 2014

Abate by

Nov 27, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(1): The employer shall develop and implement a 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. The employer did not develop a written housekeeping program that establishes frequency and methods for reducing dust accumulation. The employees were exposed to a fire/explosion hazard.

Issued

Nov 6, 2014

Abate by

Nov 27, 2014

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables shall be connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief is provided that will prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws.  The flexible cord in the mix house below the discharge station was damaged so that the external insulation was pulled from the box housing exposing the internal wires. Employees were exposed to contact with electrical source or fire/explosion.

Issued

Nov 6, 2014

Abate by

Nov 22, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in cabinets, boxes, and fittings shall be effectively closed.  a. The employer had a 240VAC safety switch box near the dry that had an unused opening at the base. Employees were exposed to a minimal electrical hazard.