OSHA Inspection: PRINZ GRAIN & FEED

Issued

Nov 3, 2016

Abate by

Apr 11, 2017

Penalty

Initial $7,839 · Current $3,334 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation:    The employer is failing to protect employees from the physical hazard of being struck in the eye by a flying particle of metal and sparks.  This violation was most recently documented at a worksite located at or near 575 South Main St., West Point, Nebraska 68788 on or about May 11, 2016.  Employee(s) cut into the metal side of the Roll Corn Bin on the roof of the North Feed Mill, using DeWalt Reciprocating Saw and a DeWalt Angle Grinder without using personal protective eyewear. The employees were cutting an access hole in the side of the bin.      Abatement certification is required for this violation.  The abatement certification sheet is enclosed with these citations.

Issued

Nov 3, 2016

Abate by

Apr 11, 2017

Penalty

Initial $7,839 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7):  Industrial trucks were not examined before being placed in service:      The employer is failing to protect employees from the physical hazard of struck-by injuries by not ensuring that inspections are taking place prior to operating a forklift each time that they are used.  This violation was most recently documented at a worksite located at or near 575 South Main St., West Point, Nebraska 68788 on May 19, 2016.  Employee(s) are operating a forklift on a daily basis. The forklift is being inspected on approximately a weekly basis.      Abatement certification is required for this violation.  The abatement certification sheet is enclosed with the citations.

Issued

Nov 3, 2016

Abate by

Apr 11, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,471 · Current $5,321 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(e)(1): The employer did not provide training to employees at least annually and when changes in job assignments would expose them to new hazards in the grain handling facilities:           The employer is failing to ensure that employees who worked at the grain facility were trained at least annually. This violation was most recently observed at 575 South Main St., West Point, Nebraska 68788 on May 19, 2016.  Employees have been working and doing various tasks, including but not limited to; entering grain bins, hot work, and general maintenance without receiving training on an annual basis.            Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this violation.  The documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable measurements or monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be helpful.  The abatement certification sheet is enclosed.

Issued

Nov 3, 2016

Abate by

Apr 11, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,471 · Current $5,321 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(f)(1): The employer did not issue a permit for all hot work performed in the grain handling facility:    The employer is failing to protect employees from the physical hazard of an explosion or fire. This violation was most recently documented at a worksite located at or near 575 South Main St., West Point, Nebraska 68788 on or about May 11th, 2016. An employee was cutting into the Roll Corn Bin #1 at the Hog Feed Mill) with a DeWalt Reciprocating Saw and a DeWalt Angle Grinder without a hot work permit bring issued or the employer being present for the duration of the work.         Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this violation.  The documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable measurements or monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be helpful.  The abatement certification sheet is enclosed.

Issued

Nov 3, 2016

Abate by

Apr 11, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,471 · Current $5,321 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(ii): Prior to entry, all mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment which presented a danger to employees inside grain storage structures in the grain handling facility were not disconnected, locked out and tagged:    The employer is failing to protect employees from the physical hazard of grain engulfment. This violation was most recently documented at a worksite located at or near 575 South Main St., West Point, Nebraska 68788 on May 18, 2016. Employees were working inside of a grain bin without utilizing lockout or tagout devices and affixing them to each energy isolating device.           Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this violation.  The documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable measurements or monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be helpful.  The abatement certification sheet is enclosed.

Issued

Nov 3, 2016

Abate by

May 31, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,471 · Current $5,321 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(4): The employer did not provide equipment for rescue operations, which was specifically suited for the bin, silo, or tank being entered:                                                                          The employer is failing to protect employees from the physical hazard of crushing/asphyxiation  by grain engulfment.  This violation was most recently documented at a worksite located at or near 575 South Main St., West Point, Nebraska, 68788 on May 18, 2016.  Employee(s) employees working at a grain handling facility were not provided rescue equipment that was specifically suited for the bin, silo, or tank being entered. Employees entered Roll Corn Bin #1 without a mechanical retrieval system to ensure rescue in the event of entrapment by collapsing grain. The grain collapsed on one of the employees inside of the bin, which resulted in fatal injuries.         Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this violation.  The documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable measurements or monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be helpful.  The abatement certification sheet is enclosed.

Issued

Nov 3, 2016

Abate by

Apr 11, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,471 · Current $12,471

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(6): Employees at the grain handling facility entered bins, silos, or tanks underneath a bridging condition, or where a buildup of grain products on the side could fall and bury them:      The employer is failing to protect employees from the physical hazard of crushing by grain engulfment.  This violation was most recently documented at a worksite located at or near 575 South Main St., West Point, Nebraska, 68788 on May 18, 2016.  Employee(s) entered Roll Corn Bin #1 on approximately May 11, 2016 while crusted grain product was along the sides of the bin to evaluate the quantity of crusted grain. An employee entered the bin to place an 11 inch wide x 8 foot long plank in the base of the bin in order to stand on while the crusted condition existed.                 Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this violation.  The documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable measurements or monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be helpful.  The abatement certification sheet is enclosed.

Issued

Nov 3, 2016

Abate by

Apr 11, 2017

Penalty

Initial $9,799 · Current $4,181 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(m)(3): The employer did not maintain a certification record of each preventive maintenance inspection, performed in accordance with this paragraph (m), containing the date of the inspection, the name of the person who performed the inspection and the serial number, or other identifier, of the equipment specified in paragraph (m)(1)(i) of this section that was inspected:    The employer is failing to protect employees from fire hazards which can result from friction and sparks created by inadequately maintained grain handling equipment. This was most recently observed on or about May 11, 2016 and at times thereafter at the north feed mill located at 575 S Main Street, West Point, Nebraska, 68788.  Records certifying each preventative maintenance inspection performed on grain handling equipment including but not limited bearings, belts and other moving parts, are not maintained by the employer.

Issued

Nov 3, 2016

Abate by

Apr 11, 2017

Penalty

Initial $9,799 · Current $4,181 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(m)(4): The employer failed to implement procedures for the use of tags and locks which will prevent the inadvertent application of energy or motion to equipment being repaired, serviced, or adjusted, which could result in employee injury. Such locks and tags shall be removed in accordance with established procedures only by the employee installing them or, if unavailable, by his or her supervisor:     The employer is failing to protect employees from the dangers of unexpected energization or start-up of equipment by not ensuring that specific lockout procedures are developed and utilized in the facility. This violation was most recently documented at a worksite located at or near 575 South Main St., West Point, Nebraska, 68788 on May 19, 2016.  Employee(s) are locking out equipment without specific procedures.      Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this violation. The abatement certification sheet is enclosed with the citations.

Issued

Nov 3, 2016

Abate by

Apr 11, 2017

Penalty

Initial $124,709 · Current $53,208 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(i): The employer did not issue a permit for entering bins, silos or tanks in the grain handling facility before the employees entered the bins, silos, or tanks:    The employer is failing to protect employees from the hazards of asphyxia and crushing by grain engulfment.  This violation was most recently documented at a worksite located at or near 575 South Main St., West Point, Nebraska 68788 on May 18, 2016.  Employees entered Roll Corn Bin #1 without a permit which certifies that the precautions contained in 1910.272(g) are implemented prior to employees entering bins, silos or tanks.            Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this violation.  The documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable measurements or monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be helpful.  The abatement certification sheet is enclosed.

Issued

Nov 3, 2016

Abate by

Apr 11, 2017

Penalty

Initial $124,709 · Current $53,208 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(iii): The atmosphere within a bin, silo, or tank in the grain handling facility was not tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors, toxic agents and oxygen content prior to employee entry:    The employer is failing to protect employees from the hazard of asphyxiation due to a toxic or oxygen deficient atmosphere.  This violation was most recently documented at a worksite located at or near 575 South Main St., West Point, Nebraska, 68788 on May 18, 2016.  Employees entered Roll Corn Bin #1 without testing the atmosphere to ensure that it was safe to enter.     Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this violation.  The documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable measurements or monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be helpful.  The abatement certification sheet is enclosed.

Issued

Nov 3, 2016

Abate by

Apr 11, 2017

Penalty

Initial $124,709 · Current $124,709

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(6): Employees at the grain handling facility entered bins, silos, or tanks underneath a bridging condition, or where a buildup of grain products on the side could fall and bury them:      The employer is failing to protect employees from the physical hazard of crushing by grain engulfment.  This violation was most recently documented at a worksite located at or near 575 South Main St., West Point, Nebraska, 68788 on May 18, 2016.  Employee(s) entered Roll Corn Bin #1 on May 18, 2016 while crusted grain product was along the sides of the bin. Employee #1 went into the grain bin to chip away at the grain to get it to flow into a gravity hopper in order to clean the bin. Employee #2 went into the grain bin to relive Employee #1 and passed Employee#1 shortly before Employee #1 exited the grain bin. Employee#1 stayed at the door of the grain bin acting as an attendant. Employee #3 then came up to the grain bin and assumed attendant duties. Employee #1 then left the area to check on other clean-up activities.  Employee #3 then relived Employee #2 and began to resume chipping away at the crusted grain on the sides. The grain suddenly collapsed on Employee #3 while inside of the bin. Employee #3 was engulfed in grain and was retrieved from the engulfment.  Employee # 3 died from fatal injuries due to asphyxiation and crushing.           Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this violation.  The documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable measurements or monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be helpful.  The abatement certification sheet is enclosed.

Issued

Nov 3, 2016

Abate by

Apr 11, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:    The employer is failing to ensure exit routes are kept free of obstructions.  This most recently occurred on or about May 4, 2016 and at times thereafter in the north feed mill warehouse located at 575 S Main Street. West Point, Nebraska, 68788.  The exterior exit door on the north side of the building was blocked by a stack of pallets.

Issued

Nov 3, 2016

Abate by

Apr 11, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2): Portable fire extinguishers were not visually inspected at least monthly:    The employer is failing to ensure portable fire extinguishers are visually inspected at least monthly.  This most recently occurred on or about May 4, 2016 and at times thereafter in the north feed mill located at 575 S Main Street. West Point, Nebraska, 68788.  The fire extinguishers were last visually inspected in August 2014.