OSHA Inspection: THE WESTERN SUGAR COOPERATIVE

Issued

Mar 31, 2016

Abate by

Apr 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $5,500

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(2): Ladderway floor opening(s) or platform(s) were not guarded by a standard railing with standard toeboard(s) on all exposed sides (except at the entrance to opening) with passage through the railing either provided with a swinging gate or so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the opening:   (a) Bulk Sugar Load Out Area: On or about October 26, 2015 and at times prior, employees were exposed to a fall of approximately ten feet to the floor below while accessing/egressing and gathering sugar samples from the upper platform.  (b) Packaging Area: On or about October 26, 2015 and at times prior, employees were exposed to a fall of approximately five feet to the floor below while accessing/egressing and working from the upper platform.  (c) Picking Area: On or about October 26, 2015 and at times prior, employees were exposed to a fall of approximately six feet to the floor below while accessing/egressing and working from the upper platform.

Issued

Mar 31, 2016

Abate by

Apr 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $6,600 · Current $6,600

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(8)(ii): Every floor hole into which persons could accidentally walk were not guarded by a floor hole cover of standard strength and construction:    (a) PKF/Mud Press Area, First Floor: On or about October 26, 2015 and at times prior, employees were exposed to trips and falls while cleaning and removing standing water and mud in and around the unguarded drain holes in the floor.    (b) PKF/Mud Press area, Second Floor: On or about October 26, 2015 and at times prior, employees were exposed to trips and falls while cleaning and removing standing water and mud in and around the unguarded drain holes in the floor.    (c) PKF/Mud Press area, Third Floor: On or about October 26, 2015 and at times prior, employees were exposed to trips and falls while cleaning and removing standing water and mud in and around the unguarded drain holes in the floor.

Issued

Mar 31, 2016

Abate by

Apr 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,300 · Current $3,300

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:       (a) Lime Kiln Area: On or about October 26, 2015 and at times prior, employees were exposed to being caught by an ingoing nip point while walking under the unguarded limestone conveyor belt.

Issued

Mar 31, 2016

Abate by

Apr 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

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) Coal Dock Area: On or about October 26, 2015 and times prior, employees were exposed to amputation hazards while working in and around an unguarded tail pulley that drives the coal transfer conveyor belt.

Issued

Mar 31, 2016

Abate by

Apr 26, 2016

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) Coal Dock Area: On or about October 26, 2015 and times prior, employees were exposed to amputation hazards while working in and around an unguarded belt that drives the coal transfer conveyor belt.

Issued

Mar 31, 2016

Abate by

Apr 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c): Equipment, wiring methods, and installations of equipment in hazardous (classified) locations were not intrinsically safe, approved for the hazardous (classified) location, or safe for the hazardous (classified) location:  (a) Coal Dock Area: On or about October 26, 2015 and at times prior, employees were exposed to fire, explosion and/or deflagration while working in a classified location using equipment such as, but not limited to, non intrinsically safe portable lamps, flexible cords, and unguarded permanent light fixtures.

Issued

Mar 31, 2016

Abate by

Sep 2, 2016

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $70,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms or service rooms were not kept clean and orderly or in a sanitary condition:     (a) Coal Dock Area: On or about October 26, 2015 and at times prior, employees were exposed  to fire and/or explosion hazards while working in and around pulverized coal dust accumulations of approximately three inches  on elevated surfaces such as, but not limited to, the conveyor gearboxes, elevated angle bracing, conduit, electrical switches and electrical outlets.    THE WESTERN SUGAR COOPERATIVE WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD, WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 879483, CITATION 02, ITEM NUMBER 001 AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON APRIL 18, 2014, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 3020 STATE AVENUE, BILLINGS, MONTANA 59101.

Issued

Mar 31, 2016

Abate by

Apr 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $5,500

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(i): Unguarded projecting shaft end(s) did not present a smooth edge and end and projected more than one half the diameter of the shaft:       (a) Coal Dock Area: On or about October 26, 2015 and times prior, employees were exposed to caught in hazards while working in and around an unguarded projecting shaft end of the coal transfer conveyor.      THE WESTERN SUGAR COOPERATIVE WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD, WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 879483, CITATION 01, ITEM NUMBER 008 AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON APRIL 18, 2014, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 3020 STATE AVENUE, BILLINGS, MONTANA 59101.

Issued

Mar 31, 2016

Abate by

Apr 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $5,500

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:    (a) Evaporator Room: On or about October 26, 2015 and at times prior, the employer failed to ensure all unused openings in electrical equipment, such as but not limited to, the two plug receptacle, were effectively closed.          THE WESTERN SUGAR COOPERATIVE WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD, WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 879483, CITATION 01, ITEM NUMBER 010 AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON APRIL 18, 2014, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 3020 STATE AVENUE, BILLINGS, MONTANA 59101.

Issued

Mar 31, 2016

Abate by

Apr 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $5,500

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:    (a) Evaporator Area: On or about October 26, 2015 and at times prior, employees were exposed to electric shock and/or fire hazards while using a 120 volt extension cord to provide permanent power to fans.    (b) Pump House #1: On or about October 26, 2015 and at times prior, employees were exposed to electric shock and/or fire hazards while using a 120 volt extension cord to provide permanent power to the exterior lighting.          THE WESTERN SUGAR COOPERATIVE WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD, WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 879483, CITATION 01, ITEM NUMBER 011a AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON APRIL 18, 2014, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 3020 STATE AVENUE, BILLINGS, MONTANA 59101.

Issued

Mar 31, 2016

Abate by

Apr 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief was provided that would prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws:     (a) Evaporator/Crystalline Area: On or about October 26, 2015 and at times prior, employees were exposed electric shock while using a 120 volt fan that had a lack of strain relief.      THE WESTERN SUGAR COOPERATIVE WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD, WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 879483, CITATION 01, ITEM NUMBER 011d AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON APRIL 18, 2014, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 3020 STATE AVENUE, BILLINGS, MONTANA 59101.