OSHA Inspection: DAKOTA MILL & GRAIN, INC.

Issued

Feb 18, 2016

Abate by

Mar 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to fall hazards:       (a)Dakota Mill & Grain, Inc. @ 805 Fifth Ave., Belle Fourche, SD 57717: On or about November 24, 2015, the employer did not ensure that an employee was protected from fall hazards while working on top of a feed truck. An employee was required to access the top of the Sudenga feed body affixed to a 1995 Freightliner truck to check feed levels in the 3 ton compartments. Employees were exposed to a fall hazard of approximately 6 feet to the interior of the compartments and an approximate fall hazard of 11 feet to the exterior of the platform. This condition exposed employees to fall hazards.

Issued

Feb 18, 2016

Abate by

Mar 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,260 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to struck-by hazards.     (a)Dakota Mill & Grain, Inc. @ 805 Fifth Ave., Belle Fourche, SD 57717: On or about November 24, 2015, the employer did not ensure that employees were protected from fall hazards while using the hand operated man-lift located within the Dakota Mill and Grain elevator. Employees used the hand powered man-lift to gain access to upper levels of the elevator. The platform was not enclosed on the sides not used for entrance. This condition exposes employees to fall hazards and struck-by hazards.        Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to follow the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Standard A17.1-2010, "Handbook on Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. Section 4.3.9 states, car enclosures shall be enclosed on the sides not used for entrance. The deflection of the enclosure shall be not more than 6 mm (0.25 in.) when subjected to a force of 334 N (75 lbf) applied perpendicularly to the car enclosure at any point. The enclosure shall be secured to the car platform or frame in such a manner that it cannot work loose or become displaced in ordinary service.

Issued

Feb 18, 2016

Abate by

Mar 15, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(8)(ii): Every floor hole into which persons can accidently walk was not guarded by either a standard railing or a floor hole cover of standard strength and construction:       (a)Dakota Mill & Grain, Inc. @ 805 Fifth Ave., Belle Fourche, SD 57717: On or about November 24, 2015, the employer did not ensure that two floor openings on the vertical ladder platform was properly protected. The floor  openings were approximately 10"x10"  and 3"x3" in diameter. Employees would climb the fixed ladder and gain access to the platform prior to entering the 3rd level of the elevator.  This condition exposes employees to sprains, lacerations, and fractures.

Issued

Feb 18, 2016

Abate by

Mar 15, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1):  Open sided floor(s) or platform(s) 4 feet or more above the adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded by standard railings (or the equivalent as specified in 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(3)(i) through (v)), on all open sides:       (a)Dakota Mill & Grain, Inc. @ 805 Fifth Ave., Belle Fourche, SD 57717: On or about November 24, 2015, the employer did not ensure the open-sided floor leading to the elevator shaft on the second level was guarded by a standard guardrail protected employees from a fall. This condition exposed the employee to a fall hazard greater than 4 feet in height.     (b)Dakota Mill & Grain, Inc. @ 805 Fifth Ave., Belle Fourche, SD 57717: On or about November 24, 2015, the employer did not ensure the open-sided floor leading to the elevator shaft on the third level was guarded by a standard guardrail protected employees from a fall.   This condition exposed the employee to a fall hazard greater than 4 feet in height.     Abatement Note:  The following is provided to assist in the abatement of this hazard:       (a)A standard railing shall consist of top rail, intermediate rail, and posts, and shall have a vertical height of 42 inches nominal from upper surface of top rail to floor, platform, runway, or ramp level. The top rail shall be smooth-surfaced throughout the length of the railing. The intermediate rail shall be approximately halfway between the top rail and the floor, platform, runway, or ramp. The ends of the rails shall not overhang the terminal posts except where such overhang does not constitute a projection hazard.       (b)A standard toeboard shall be 4 inches nominal in vertical height from its top edge to the level of the floor, platform, runway, or ramp. It shall be securely fastened in place and with not more than 1/4-inch clearance above floor level. It may be made of any substantial material either solid or with openings not over 1 inch in greatest dimension.

Issued

Feb 18, 2016

Abate by

Mar 15, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

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):     (a)Dakota Mill & Grain, Inc. @ 805 Fifth Ave., Belle Fourche, SD 57717:  On or about November 24, 2015, the employer did not ensure belts with parts seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were guarded. Two Westfield feed auger located on the west side load-out area had belts that were not guarded. Employees accessed the top of the feed trucks to check the compartments and were exposed to the in-going nip points created by the unguarded belts. This condition exposed the employees to fractures and amputation hazards.       Abatement Note:  One method of guarding such a machine is by expanded metal, perforated or solid sheet metal, wire mesh on a frame of angle iron, or iron pipe securely fastened to floor or to frame of machine ensuring all metal is free from burrs and sharp edges.

Issued

Feb 18, 2016

Abate by

Mar 15, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) & (o):     (a)Dakota Mill & Grain, Inc. @ 805 Fifth Ave., Belle Fourche, SD 57717:  On or about November 24, 2015, the employer did not ensure belt and pulley assembly with parts seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were guarded. Two Westfield feed auger located on the west side load-out area had belt and pulley assemblies that were not guarded. Employees accessed the top of the feed trucks to check the compartments and were exposed to the in-going nip points created by the unguarded pulley assemblies. This condition exposed the employees to fractures and amputation hazards.