OSHA Inspection: MIDWEST FARMERS COOP

Issued

Feb 11, 2016

Abate by

Apr 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $6,930 · Current $6,930

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:    The employer is failing to protect employees from fall hazards associated with working near an unguarded ladder access point to a boot pit.  This was most recently evident during the inspection of the facility located at 17700 South 1st Street, Martell, NE; where the employer has employees performing maintenance on equipment such as legs and augers located next to an unguarded ladder access entry point into the east side receiving boot pit that is approximately 10 feet in depth.

Issued

Feb 11, 2016

Abate by

Apr 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $13,860 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(5): Every pit and trapdoor floor opening, infrequently used, was not guarded by a floor opening cover of standard strength and construction. While the cover is not in place, the pit or trap opening was not constantly attended by someone or shall be protected on all exposed sides by removable standard railings.    The employer is failing to protect employees from fall hazards associated with working near open boot pits.  This was most recently evident during the inspection of the facility located at 17700 South 1st Street, Martell, NE; where the employer has employees performing maintenance on equipment such as legs and augers located in and near the east side receiving boot pit.  Instances include but are not limited to:    i.  The boot pit to the east side leg is approximately 10 feet deep on three sides without guard railing to protect employees from the fall hazards.      ii.  The trench from the east leg boot pit to the receiving pit has an area that is 37 inches wide by 76 inches long by 70 inches deep left uncovered and without guard railing to protect employees from the fall hazards.    Midwest Farmers Cooperative was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard Midwest Farmers Cooperative, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 964263, citation number 1, item number 5 and was affirmed as a final order on 1/19/2015, with respect to a workplace located at 600 West 10th Street, Techumseh, NE 68450.

Issued

Feb 11, 2016

Abate by

Apr 29, 2018

Penalty

Initial $6,930 · Current $4,780 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(h): Standard railings were not provided on the open sides of all exposed stairways and stair platforms:    The employer is failing to protect employees from fall hazards associated with failing to have complete standard railings on some sections and failing to have midrails installed on other sections as part of the standard guard railing along the open sides of a fixed industrial stair case.  The most recent occurrence of this was evident during the inspection of the stairway located between the south side of the main building and bins numbered 1 & 2 of the facility located at 17700 South 1st Street, Martell, NE; where the employer has employees using the stairway with inadequate guard railing as means of access and egress performing maintenance on equipment such as legs and augers located in areas where there are exposed fall hazards.

Issued

Feb 11, 2016

Abate by

Mar 3, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,950 · Current $2,830 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 areas:     The employer is failing to protect employees from explosion hazards associated with grain dust accumulations that exceed one eighth of an inch and within 35 feet of a priority housekeeping area.  The most recent occurrence of this was found during the inspection of the facility located at 17700 South 1st Street, Martell, NE where the employer has employees operating and maintaining equipment inside a structure where the fugitive grain dust build up exceeds one eight of an inch and has tested positive for explositivity with KST readings of 35.16 and 11.8.  Instances include but are not limited to:        i.      Dust located throughout the building gathered on all horizontal surfaces greater than on eighth of an inch

Issued

Feb 11, 2016

Abate by

Mar 3, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 one eighth of an inch (.32cm) at priority housekeeping areas, pursuant to the housekeeping program for feed mills:  The employer is failing to protect employees from explosion hazards associated with grain dust accumulations that exceed one eighth of an inch and within 35 feet of a priority housekeeping area.  The most recent occurrence of this was found during the inspection of the facility located at 17700 South 1st Street, Martell, NE where the employer has employees operating and maintaining equipment inside a structure where the fugitive grain dust build up exceeds one eight of an inch and has tested positive for explositivity with KST readings of 35.16 and 11.8.  Instances include but are not limited to:      i.   Dust located on the steps and in the mixer leg boot pit greater than 3 inches.   ii.    Dust located on the ledges and around the bottom of the feed mill mixer greater than on inch.

Issued

Feb 11, 2016

Abate by

Apr 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $13,860 · Current $11,710 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:    The employer is failing to protect employees from fall hazards associated with working on platforms greater than 4 above the lower working surface.  This was most recently evident during the inspection of the facility located at 17700 South 1st Street, Martell, NE; where the employer has employees performing maintenance on equipment such as legs and augers located in areas where there are exposed fall hazards.  Instances include but are not limited to:  i.  The overhead walkway from the stair way to the main building walks way.   ii.  The platform located over bins # 1, 2, &3A/3B.  iii.  The platform adjacent to the interior leg for bin number 3 is missing railing at the end and at the entry point.   iv.  The platform adjacent to the mixer leg and delivery station is missing a mid-rail.  v.  The platform for the top of the leg between Bins and the main building.    Midwest Farmers Cooperative was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard Midwest Farmers Cooperative, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 891517, citation number 1, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on June 28, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 1621 S. 118th Street, Walton, NE 68461.

Issued

Feb 11, 2016

Abate by

Apr 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $9,900 · Current $7,750 Reduced

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):    The employer is failing to protect employees from caught between hazards associated with inadequately guarded belt and pulley assemblies.  The most recent occurrence of this was found during the inspection of the facility located at 17700 South 1st Street, Martell, NE where the employer has employees operating and maintaining inadequately guarded belt and pulley assemblies for bin augers.  Instances include but are not limited to:      i.      Three belt and pulley assemblies for the augers from the east leg of the receiving boot pit to bin #4.   ii.     Two belt and pulley assemblies for the augers from the leg located between the main building and bins #1, 2, & 3.    Midwest Farmers Cooperative was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard Greenwood Farmers Coop dba Midwest Farmers Coop, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 316018282, citation number 1, item number 4a and was affirmed as a final order on February 2, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at 300 Main Street, Nehawka, NE 68413.

Issued

Feb 11, 2016

Abate by

Apr 30, 2018

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):    The employer is failing to protect employees from caught between hazards associated with inadequately guarded belt and pulley assemblies.  The most recent occurrence of this was found during the inspection of the facility located at 17700 South 1st Street, Martell, NE where the employer has employees operating and maintaining inadequately guarded belt and pulley assemblies for bin augers.  Instances include but are not limited to:      i.      Three belt and pulley assemblies for the augers from the east leg of the receiving boot pit to bin #4.  Two belt and pulley assemblies for the augers from the leg located between the main building and bins #1, 2, & 3.    Midwest Farmers Cooperative was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard Greenwood Farmers Coop dba Midwest Farmers Coop, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 316018282, citation number 1, item number 4b and was affirmed as a final order on February 2, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at 300 Main Street, Nehawka, NE 68413