OSHA Inspection: DAKOTA PLAINS DAIRY

Issued

May 24, 2016

Abate by

Jun 20, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level shall be guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) on all open sides except where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder.        (a)   Dakota Plains Dairy @ 29023 467th St., Centerville, SD 57014: On and prior to January 25, 2016, the employer did not ensure employees were protected from fall hazards while attempting to access a corn silage storage pile. Employee accessed the pile which measured approximately 34 feet to the ground, to remove tires and cut plastic sheeting covering the silage. The silage storage pile did not have proper standard railing installed on all the open sides. This condition exposed the employee to a fall hazard of approximately 34 feet.       (b)   Dakota Plains Dairy @ 29023 467th St., Centerville, SD 57014 On and prior to January 25, 2016, the employer did not ensure employees were protected from fall hazards while walking or working near the pits. Employees were exposed to a fall hazard of approximately 12 feet at the deepest portion of the pit. The perimeter edge of the pit did did not have proper standard railing installed on all the open sides. This condition exposed the employee to a fall hazard of approximately 12 feet.       Abatement Note: The following is provided to assist in the abatement of this hazard:  A standard railing consists 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

Issued

May 24, 2016

Abate by

Jun 20, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1):  The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces:       (a) Dakota Plains Dairy @ 29023 467th St., Centerville, SD 57014 On and prior to January 25, 2016, the employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces at the dairy.  Employees were accessing a manhole to open and close gates. The man hole was not identified as permit-required confined space. The condition exposed employees to atmospheric hazards.      Abatement Note:  "Confined space" means a space that:       (1)Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and       (2)Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry.); and       (3)Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.       If it is determined that employees will not enter permit spaces, the employer shall take effective measures to prevent its employees from entering the permit spaces and shall comply with 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(6), and (c)(8).       If it is determined that employees will enter permit spaces, the employer shall develop and implement a written permit space program that complies with 29 CFR 1910.146. The written program shall be available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives.

Issued

May 24, 2016

Abate by

Jun 20, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4): When the employer decided that its employees would enter permit spaces, the employer did not develop and implement a written permit space entry program that complied with 29 CFR 1910.146:       (a)Dakota Plains Dairy @ 29023 467th St., Centerville, SD 57014: On or prior to January 25, 2016, the employer did not have a permit required confined space program in place when employees enter permit required confined spaces to adjust gates within the man hole. This condition exposes employees to hazards such as, but not limited to, exposure to a hazardous atmosphere.

Issued

May 24, 2016

Abate by

Jun 20, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(5)(i): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not evaluate permit space conditions when entry operations were conducted by testing conditions to determine if acceptable entry conditions existed before entry was authorized to begin:     (a) Dakota Plains Dairy @ 29023 467th Ave., Centerville, SD, 57014: On or prior to January 25, 2016, the employer did not test the atmosphere in the permit required space to determine whether conditions were acceptable prior to entry by employees. The employer did not test for atmospheric hazards prior to entering a man hole. This condition exposed employees to atmospheric hazards.

Issued

May 24, 2016

Abate by

Jun 20, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(g)(1): The employer shall provide training so that all employees whose work is regulated by this section acquire the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned under this section.    (a) Dakota Plains Dairy @ 29023 467th Ave., Centerville, SD, 57014: On and prior to Janurary 25, 2016, the employer did not provide training so that all employees that enter permit required confined spaces acquire the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties associated with entering a manhole.  The condition exposed employees to atmospheric hazards.

Issued

May 24, 2016

Abate by

Jun 20, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii):  Point(s) or operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s):       (a) Dakota Plains Dairy @ 29023 467th Ave., Centerville, SD, 57014: On or prior to January 25, 2016, the employer did not ensure an employee was protected from the point of operation of the FANUC Industrial Robotic Arm. An employee was cleaning in an enclosed area where the robotic arm was in operation to clean cows teats with iodine on the rotary parlor. The employee accessed the area through guardrails adjacent to the robot. This condition exposed an employee to the hazard of being struck-by the industrial robotic arm.