OSHA Inspection: THREE RIVERS ENERGY, LLC

Issued

May 6, 2016

Abate by

Dec 29, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,562 Reduced

Hazardous substances E101E200M104

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.  On or about November 9, 2015, at the workplace, the employer's written Grain Handling Facilities Policy and Grain Handling procedure SHS 220 was deficient in that it did not adequately develop and implement the frequency and methods determined best to reduce accumulations of fugitive grain dust including the following:         1.  Develop written methods used to remove fugitive grain dust accumulations and spills such as the use of             non-sparking tools (e.g. plastic and aluminum shovels), brooms, and brushes;           2.  Develop written methods for the disposal of the accumulated fugitive grain dust;         3.  Implement the program to ensure that the stairs, catwalk, handrail, weigh auger platform, structural supports,            electrical equipment, and other exposed upper surfaces in the receiving barn did not have excessive fugitive             grain dust accumulations which measured up to 2 inches in depth; and          4.  Implement the program by documenting and following the written housekeeping schedule.

Issued

May 6, 2016

Abate by

Dec 29, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances E101E200M104

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(4):  Grain and product spills shall not be considered fugitive grain dust accumulations.  However, the housekeeping program shall address the procedures for removing such spills from the work area:    a.  On or about November 9, 2015, at the workplace, the employer's written Grain Handling Facilities Policy and Grain Handling procedure SHS 220 did not address the procedures for removing grain and product spills from the work area.

Issued

May 6, 2016

Abate by

Dec 29, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,562 Reduced

Hazardous substances E101E200M104

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(l)(1):  All fabric dust filter collectors which are a part of a pneumatic dust collection system shall be equipped with a monitoring device that will indicate a pressure drop across the surface of the filter:     a.  On or about November 9, 2015, between the outside grain storage bins, TK-1310 and TK-1320, the Magnehelic differential pressure gage for the MAC dust collector, F-1330, which services the grain bins was not connected due to damage.

Issued

May 6, 2016

Abate by

Dec 29, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,563 Reduced

Hazardous substances E101E200M104

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c):  Electrical installations.  Equipment, wiring methods, and installations of equipment in hazardous (classified) locations shall be intrinsically safe, approved for the hazardous (classified) location, or safe for the hazardous (classified) location.  Requirements for each of these options are as follows:     a.  On or about November 9, 2015, in the receiving office of the receiving barn/building, the electrical equipment including, but not limited to, standard receptacles, a standard light switch, refrigerator, computer, heater, and breaker panel (120/240 VAC) in a Class II location was not intrinsically safe, approved for a Class II location, or safe for a Class II location; or the receiving office was not constructed and reclassified as a non-hazardous location by providing continuous positive pressure ventilation in conjunction with a self-closing door that had seals and latched closed to prevent the entrainment of combustible dust.

Issued

May 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances E101E200M104

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.145(c)(2)(i):  Caution signs shall be used only to warn against potential hazards or to caution against unsafe practices:   a.  On or about November 9, 2015, at the East entrance to the receiving barn/building, the employer did not have a combustible dust hazard sign to warn against potential deflagration and explosion hazards from grain dust atmospheres that may occur due to the handling of grain and DDGS (Dry Distillers Grain Soluble).   b.  On or about November 9, 2015, at the West entrance to the receiving barn/building, the employer did not have a combustible dust hazard sign to warn against potential deflagration and explosion hazards from grain dust atmospheres that may occur due to the handling of grain and DDGS.   c.  On or about November 9, 2015, at the North truck and rail entrance to the receiving barn/building, the employer did not have a combustible dust hazard sign to warn against potential deflagration and explosion hazards from grain dust atmospheres that may occur due to the handling of grain and DDGS.   d.  On or about November 9, 2015, at the West entrance to the DDGS barn/building, the employer did not have a combustible dust hazard sign to warn against potential deflagration and explosion hazards from grain dust atmospheres that may occur due to the handling of DDGS.   e.  On or about November 9, 2015, at the entrances to the grain tunnel, the employer did not have combustible dust hazard signs to warn against potential deflagration and explosion hazards from grain dust atmospheres that may occur due to the handling of grain.

Issued

May 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances E101E200M104

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(e)(1):  The employer shall provide training to employees at least annually and when changes in job assignment will expose them to new hazards.  Current employees, and new employees prior to starting work, shall be trained in at least the following:   29 CFR 1910.272(e)(1)(i):  General safety precautions associated with the facility, including recognition and preventive measures for the hazards related to dust accumulations and common ignition sources such as smoking:   a.  On or about November 9, 2015, at the workplace, the employer's annual combustible grain dust training, including recognition and preventive measures for the hazards related to dust accumulations and common ignition sources, was past due by approximately three months.

Issued

May 6, 2016

Abate by

Dec 29, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances E101E200M104

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(e)(1):  The employer shall provide training to employees at least annually and when changes in job assignment will expose them to new hazards.  Current employees, and new employees prior to starting work, shall be trained in at least the following:     29 CFR 1910.272(e)(1)(ii):  Specific procedures and safety practices applicable to their job tasks including but not limited to, cleaning procedures for grinding equipment, clearing procedures for choked legs, housekeeping procedures, hot work procedures, preventive maintenance procedures and lock-out/tag-out procedures:    a.  On or about November 9, 2015, at the workplace, the employer's annual combustible grain dust training, including housekeeping procedures, was past due by approximately three months.    b.  On or about November 9, 2015, the employer failed to produce specific procedures for clearing choked legs, thereby exposing employees to a caught in hazard.