OSHA Inspection: FRONTIER AG, INC.

Issued

Jan 14, 2016

Abate by

Feb 10, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent) and toeboards:  Employees engaged in grain handling activities were exposed to fall hazards of approximately 15 feet from the head house/distributer floor catwalk to the lower level in that a portion of the catwalk was not equipped with a standard railing.

Issued

Jan 14, 2016

Abate by

Feb 10, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(2)(ii): The employer did not immediately remove any fugitive grain dust accumulations whenever the exceeded 1/8 inch (.32cm) at priority housekeeping areas, pursuant to the housekeeping program for grain elevators:  Employees engaged in grain handling activities were exposed to fire and explosion hazards in that fugitive grain dust in excess of 1/8 inch in the following locations:  a) The West Annex Tunnel where the shaft goes into the leg (depth of 1 1/4 inches)  b) In the boot pit (depth of 11 1/2 inches)

Issued

Jan 14, 2016

Abate by

Feb 10, 2016

Penalty

Initial $25,000 · Current $15,000 Reduced

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 could walk directly into the opening:  Employees engaged in grain handling activities were exposed to fall hazards in that ladderway openings were not guarded in the following locations:  a) The ladderway openings used to access the rail load out platforms were not guarded exposing employees to fall hazards of approximately 12 feet from the working surface to the lower level.   b) The ladderway opening used to access the west exit of the west annex was not guarded exposing employees to fall hazards of approximately 12 feet from the working surface to the lower level.   c) The ladderway opening used to access the east exit of the east annex was not guarded exposing employees to fall hazards of approximately 12 feet from the working surface to the lower level.  d) The ladderway opening used to access the head house/distributer floor catwalk was not guarded exposing employees to fall hazards of approximately 15 feet from the working surface to the lower level.   The Frontier Ag, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.23(a)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 748961, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 02/27/2013, with respect to a workplace located at 1195 W Albert St. Oakley, KS 67748.

Issued

Jan 14, 2016

Abate by

Feb 10, 2016

Penalty

Initial $25,000 · Current $12,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(1): The employer did not develop and implement a written housekeeping program that established the frequency and the method(s) determined best to reduce accumulations of fugitive grain dust on ledges, floors, equipment, and other exposed surfaces.  Employees engaged in grain handling activities were exposed to fire and explosion hazards in that in the last 3 feet on the far west end on top of the west annex measured 1 inch in depth. The housekeeping plan was not sufficient to prevent accumulations outside of the priority areas.  The Frontier Ag, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.272(j)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1065809, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 09/24/2015, with respect to a workplace located at 405 Main St. Rexford, KS 67753.