OSHA Inspection: GREAT SOUTHERN PEANUT, LLC

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,080 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(1): Every stairway floor opening was not guarded by a standard railing constructed in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section on all exposed sides (except at the entrance to the stairway).  a) Sorter Area - On or about February 10, 2016, the vertical height of the top rail guarding the color sorters stairway opening was approximately 30.75 inches, thus exposing employees to fall hazard of approximately 7 feet onto wooden stairs.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,310 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(f): Rise height and tread width were not uniform throughout any flight of stairs including any foundation structure used as one or more treads of the stairs.    a). Sorter Area - On or about and times prior to February 10, 2016, the stairway that led to the color sorters had non-uniform rise height that varied from 8 to 9.5 inches, thus exposing employees to a trip and fall hazard.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $9,240 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(1): Flights of stairs having four or more risers were not equipped with a standard railing as specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (v) of this section.    a). Sorter Area - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the metal stairway used to gain access to the stoner machine was not equipped with an intermediate rail on the left side descending, thus exposing employees to a fall hazard.    b). Sorter and Gravity Area - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the stairway used to gain access to the sorter holding bins was not equipped with an intermediate rail on the right side ascending, thus exposing employees to a fall hazard.     c). Bag Off Loading Dock - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the metal stairway used to gain access to the loading dock was not equipped with standard railing, thus exposing employees to a trip and fall hazard.    Great Southern Peanut, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.23(d)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 962546, citation number 1, item number 5 and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(1)(i): Flight(s) of stairs with four or more risers, less than 44 inches wide and having both sides enclosed, were not equipped with at least one standard handrail.    a). Maintenance Shop - On or about and times prior to February 10, 2016, the stairway used to gain access into the vehicle service pit was not equipped with a handrail, thus exposing employees to a trip and fall hazard.    b). Sorter and Gravity Area - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the stairway used to gain access to the sorter holding bins was not equipped with railing that extended the entire length of the stairway, thus exposing employees to a trip and fall hazard.    Georgia Farm Services, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.23(d)(1)(i) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 942122, citation number 1, item number 5 and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.    Great Southern Peanut, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.23(d)(1) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 962546, citation number 1, item number 5 and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,310 · Current $650 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(2)(i): All exposed part(s) of horizontal shafting seven (7) feet or less from floor or working platform were not protected by stationary casing(s) enclosing shafting completely or by trough(s) enclosing sides and top or sides and bottom of shafting.    a). Shelling Plant - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the horizontal shaft on the rear of the Whole Shaker (secondary sheller) was not guarded, thus exposing employees to a caught-in hazard.    b). Bag Off - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the horizontal shaft on the rear of the Split Separator was not guarded, thus exposing employees to a caught-in hazard.    c). Bag Off - On or about and times prior to February 11, 2016, the horizontal shaft on the rear of the Jumbo Separator was not guarded, thus exposing employees to a caught-in hazard.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(h)(1): Projecting key(s), setscrew(s), or other projections in revolving part(s) were not removed, made flush, or guarded by metal cover(s).    a). Shelling Plant - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, there were projecting square head setscrews located on the rear horizontal shaft of the Whole Shaker (secondary sheller) that were not guarded, thus exposing employees to a caught-in hazard.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,620 · Current $0 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).    a). Shelling Plant - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, two spoke pulleys located on the rear of the Whole Shaker (secondary sheller) were not fully guarded, thus exposing employees to a caught-in hazard.     Great Southern Peanut, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.219(d)(1) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 962546, citation number 1, item number 18a and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven (7) feet or less above the floor or platform were not enclosed.    a). Shelling Plant - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the chain and sprocket wheel located on the rear of the Whole Shaker (secondary sheller) was not fully enclosed, thus exposing employees to a caught-in hazard.     Great Southern Peanut, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.219(f)(3) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 962546, citation number 1, item number 19 and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,620 · Current $1,350 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): Floor(s) of workroom(s) were not maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition.    a). Maintenance Shop - On or about and times prior to February 10, 2016, the vehicle service pit floor was not maintained in a dry condition due to continual water intrusion from rain water, thus exposing employees to slip and fall hazards.    Georgia Farm Services, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.22(a)(2) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 942122, citation number 1, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,700 · Current $2,300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(c): Covers and/or guardrails were not provided to protect personnel from the hazards of open pits, tanks, vats, ditches, etc.    a). Maintenance Shop - On or about and times prior to February 10, 2016, the vehicle service pit was not adequately guarded when not in use, thus exposing employees to a fall hazard of approximately 4 feet onto concrete flooring.    b). Cleaner Plant - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the bucket elevator pit was not adequately guarded, thus exposing employees to a fall hazard of approximately 3 feet onto a bucket elevator and/or concrete flooring.    Georgia Farm Services, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.23(a)(5) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 942122, citation number 1, item number 3 and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.    Great Southern Peanut, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.22(c) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 962546, citation number 1, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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. Note: Toeboards are only required when persons can pass, there is moving equipment or there is equipment with which falling materials could create a hazard.    a). Bag Off Loading Dock - On or about and times prior to February 10, 2016, the edges of loading dock 4 were not properly guarded, thus exposing employees to a fall hazard of approximately 4 feet 3 inches onto pavement.     b). Re-Mill Area - On or about and times prior to February 10, 2016, the stationary elevated platform used to conduct re-milling operations was not equipped with intermediate railing, thus exposing employees to a fall hazard up to 11.25 feet onto concrete flooring.    Great Southern Peanut, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.23(c)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 962546, citation number 1, item number 4 and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $10,780 · Current $0 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.    a). Cleaner Plant - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the ladder entrance that led to the peanut holding tank was not guarded, thus exposing employees to a fall hazard of approximately 7.3 feet onto concrete flooring.    b). Shelling Plant - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the ladder entrance that led to the 1st level elevated platform was not properly guarded, thus exposing employees to a fall hazard of approximately 6.3 feet onto concrete flooring.    c). Shelling Plant - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the ladder entrance that led to the 2nd level elevated platform was not properly guarded, thus exposing employees to a fall hazard of approximately 6.3 feet onto concrete flooring.    d). Re-Mill Area - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the ladder entrance that led to the elevated re-mill platform was not guarded, thus exposing employees to a fall hazard of approximately 7.3 feet onto concrete flooring.    e). Bag Off - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the two ladder entrances that led to pre-bag holding bins were not guarded, thus exposing employees to a fall hazard of approximately 19 feet onto concrete flooring.    f). Bag Off - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the ladder entrance that led to the rolling sizers were not guarded, thus exposing employees to a fall hazard of approximately 10 feet onto concrete flooring.    Great Southern Peanut, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.23(a)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 962546, citation number 1, item number 3 and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $9,240 · Current $2,700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed.    a). Cleaning Plant - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the walkway used to gain access to the exit had an obstruction impeded the route that included a vertical structural beam, thus exposing employees to egress hazards.     b). Shelling Plant - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the walkways used to gain access to the exit had obstructions impeding the route that included peanut processing machinery, electrical panels, a bucket elevator, and a vertical structural beam, thus exposing employees to egress hazards.     Great Southern Peanut, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.37(a)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 962546, citation number 1, item number 8a and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $10,780 · Current $3,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not develop and implement the means, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations, including, but not limited to items (d)(3)(i) through (d)(3)(vi) of this paragraph:    a). Throughout the workplace - On or about February 9, 2016, the employer did not develop or implement procedures that specified acceptable entry conditions, allowed observations of monitoring and testing, required isolating the permit spaces, controlled atmospheric hazards, and ensured that acceptable conditions existed throughout entry for entry into permit spaces to include, but not limited to peanut dump pits, thus exposing employees to caught-in and atmospheric hazards.    Great Southern Peanut, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.146(c)(4) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 962546, citation number 1, item number 13b and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(g)(1): The employer did not provide training so that all employees whose work was regulated by 29 CFR 1910.146 (permit required confined spaces) acquired the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned under 29 CFR 1910.146:    a). Throughout the workplace - On or about February 9, 2016, the employer did not provide training to employees that entered permit spaces to include, but not limited to peanut dump pits, thus exposing employees to caught-in and atmospheric hazards.    Great Southern Peanut, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.146(g)(1) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 962546, citation number 1, item number 13e and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(k)(1): An employer who designates rescue and emergency services, pursuant to paragraph (d)(9)of this section did not evaluate the prospective rescuer's ability by the criteria set in this section, (k)(1)(i) - (k)(1)(v).    a). Throughout the workplace - On or about February 9, 2016, the employer did not evaluate their designated rescue service's (i.e. 911) ability to rescue entrant(s) in permit spaces to include, but not limited to peanut dump pits, thus exposing employees to caught-in and atmospheric hazards.    Great Southern Peanut, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.146(d)(9) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 962546, citation number 1, item number 13d and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $10,780 · Current $3,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, including, but not limited to items of this section.    a). Throughout the workplace - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the employer's energy control procedures used during servicing and maintenance on peanut processing machines (e.g. shellers, bucket elevators, and color sorters) did not specifically outline the following:    1. Steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking, and securing peanut processing machinery to control the hazardous energy  2. Steps for placement, removal, and transfer of lockout/tagout devices on peanut processing machinery   3. Steps for testing peanut processing machinery machine to verify effectiveness of lockout/tagout devices and other control measures  4. Identification of lockout/tagout devices to be utilized on isolation sources  5. Group lockout/tagout protocol    Great Southern Peanut, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 962546, citation number 1, item number 14 and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls are acquired by employees.    a). Throughout the workplace - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the employer did not provide training   to employees in the purpose and function of the energy control program and in the safe application, usage, and removal of energy controls, thus exposing employees to caught-in hazards.     Great Southern Peanut, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 962546, citation number 1, item number 14 and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $6,160 · Current $1,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(2): The educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting was not provided to all employees upon initial employment, and at least annually thereafter.    a). Throughout the workplace - On or about February 9, 2016, the employer did not provide initial and at least annually refresher training to employees that were designated to use portable fire extinguishers during an incipient stage fire, thus exposing employees to fire hazards.    Great Southern Peanut, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.157(g)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 962546, citation number 1 , item number 16c and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.    Georgia Farm Services, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.157(g)(1) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 942122, citation number 1, item number 10c and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $2,700

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each operator had successfully completed the training consisting of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.    a). Maintenance Shop - On or about and times prior to February 9, 2016, the employer did not ensure that all employees required to operate forklifts had completed formal training, thus exposing employees to a programmatic hazard.    Georgia Farm Services, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.178(l)(1)(ii) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 942122, citation number 1, item number 12a and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $9,240 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(p)(1): Powered industrial truck(s) found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe had not been  taken out of service until restored to safe operating condition(s).    a). Yard Area - On or about and times prior to March 2, 2016, the #4 Ottawa Commando 30 yard tractor was operated with a cracked windshield, one non-functional headlight, and a non-functional audible reverse alarm, thus exposing employees to struck-by hazards.    b). Yard Area - On or about and times prior to March 2, 2016, the #5 Ottawa Commando 30 yard tractor was operated with a cracked windshield, one non-functional headlight and a non-functional audible reverse alarm, thus exposing employees to struck-by hazards.    c). Yard Area - On or about and times prior to March 2, 2016, the #205 Ottawa Commando 30 yard tractor was operated with one non-functional headlight and cracked side mirrors, thus exposing employees to struck-by hazards.    Great Southern Peanut, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.178(p)(1) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 962546, citation number 1, item number 17b and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.    Georgia Farm Services, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.178(p)(1) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 942122, citation number 1, item number 12c and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Issued

Jul 21, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $6,160 · Current $1,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i. and not used with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment.    a). Cleaner Plant, Shelling Plant, and Bag Off - On or about and times prior to February 10, 2016, compressed air nozzles (i.e. metal rods) used to clean the floors and peanut processing machinery was unable to reduce the air pressure to less than 30 p.s.i. under static conditions, thus exposing employees to struck-by hazards.     b). Bag Off - On or about and times prior to February 10, 2016, employees used compressed air nozzles (i.e. metal rods) to clean the floors and peanut processing machinery without eye protection, thus exposing employees to struck-by hazards.    Great Southern Peanut, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.242(b), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 962546, citation number 1, item number 20 and was affirmed as a final order on January 9, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 132 Fifth Street, Leesburg, GA 31763.