OSHA Inspection: SOUTH DAKOTA SOYBEAN PROCESSORS, LLC

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

May 20, 2016

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $6,300

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(a)(2)(iv):   Cutting or welding shall not be permitted in areas before the areas were inspected by the individual responsible for authorizing cutting and welding operations:    (a)South Dakota Soybean Processors, LLC @ 100 Caspian Ave., Volga, SD 57071: On or about November 5, 2015, the controlling employer did not ensure, before welding operations began, that the area was inspected by a person responsible to authorize a written permit.  On November 5, 2015, a subcontractor employee was fatally injured while welding above the top of tank #849 which contained soap stock.  The controlling contractor did not inspect and identify flammability levels through the use of atmospheric direct reading instrumentation during an initial assessment or continuous monitoring to ensure the material within the tank would not produce flammable vapors that could result in a fire or explosion.       Abatement Note: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to develop and implement specific procedural elements to control fires and/or explosions in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 51B-2009 publication, "Standard for Fire Prevention during Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work." Section 4.1.7: Management shall advise all contractors about site specific flammable materials, hazardous processes or conditions, or other potential fire/explosion hazards.          	  Abatement Note: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to develop and implement specific procedural elements to control explosions in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 51B-2009 publication, "Standard for Fire Prevention during Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work." Section 4.2.2 The PAI (Permit Authorizing Individual) shall determine site-specific flammable materials, hazardous processes, or other potential fire hazards that are present or likely to be present in the work location. The PAI (Permit Authorizing Individual) shall determine site-specific flammable materials, hazardous processes, or other potential fire hazards that are present or likely to be present in the work location.     Abatement Note: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to develop and implement specific procedural elements to control hazardous energy in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 51B-2009 publication, "Standard for Fire Prevention during Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work." Section 5.2 Permissible Areas. 5.2.1 "Hot work shall be permitted only in areas that are or have been fire safe."

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

May 20, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,380 · Current $2,380

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.20(b)(2):  The employer did not initiate and maintain programs which provided for frequent and regular inspections of the job site, materials and equipment to be made by a competent person(s):       (a)South Dakota Soybean Processors, LLC @ 100 Caspian Ave., Volga, SD 57071: On or about November 5, 2015, a "competent" person had not conducted a sufficient inspection to ensure subcontractor employees were protected from fall hazards during the installation of a catwalk between T849 and T502.      Abatement Note: OSHA defines a "competent" person as one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

May 20, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,825 · Current $3,825

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.35(e)(1): Before implementing the emergency action plan, the employer shall designate and train a sufficient number of persons to assist in the safe and orderly emergency evacuation of employees:    (a)South Dakota Soybean Processors, LLC @ 100 Caspian Ave., Volga, SD 57071: On November 5, 2015, a subcontractor employee was fatally injured while welding above Tank #849 due to an explosion.  Following the explosion, plant employees were observed running to the scene of the incident without confirmation that the area was safe.

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

May 20, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,060 · Current $3,060

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.150(c)(1)(iv): One or more fire extinguishers, rated not less than 2A, shall be provided on each floor. In multistory buildings, at least one fire extinguisher shall be located adjacent to stairway:    (a)South Dakota Soybean Processors, LLC @ 100 Caspian Ave., Volga, SD 57071: On or about November 5, 2015, the controlling employer did not ensure that the exposing contractor had a fire extinguisher rated not less than 2A in the work area.  The fire extinguisher for the project was at ground level.

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

May 20, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,825 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.352(b): If the object to be welded, cut, or heated cannot be moved and if all the fire hazards cannot be removed, positive means shall be taken to confine the heat, sparks, and slag, and to protect the immovable fire hazards from them:    (a)South Dakota Soybean Processors, LLC @ 100 Caspian Ave., Volga, SD 57071: On November 5, 2015, a subcontractor employee was fatally injured while welding above Tank #849.  The top of the tank he was welding above separated as a result of an explosion that occurred from flammable vapors generated within the tank.  Vapors escaping the tank through an atmospheric vent located in close proximity to the welder may have been ignited by sparks or heat from welding activities.  The controlling employer did not direct the exposing employer or contractor performing the welding activities to take measures to protect the tank from sparks or heat.

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

May 20, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,825 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.352(e): When the welding, cutting, or heating operation is such that normal fire prevention precautions are not sufficient, additional personnel shall be assigned to guard against fire while the actual welding, cutting, or heating operation is being performed, and for a sufficient period of time after completion of the work to ensure that no possibility of fire exists. Such personnel shall be instructed as to the specific anticipated fire hazards and how the firefighting equipment provided is to be used:    (a)South Dakota Soybean Processors, LLC @ 100 Caspian Ave., Volga, SD 57071: On November 5, 2015, a subcontractor employee was fatally injured while welding above the top of Tank #849.  The top of the tank he was welding above separated as a result of an explosion that occurred from flammable vapors generated within the tank.  The controlling employer did not ensure the exposing contractor had additional personnel assigned to guard against fire while the actual welding work was being performed.