OSHA Inspection: BIG OX ENERGY SIOUXLAND, LLC

Issued

Apr 17, 2017

Abate by

May 22, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): Protective eye and face equipment was not required where there was a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented by such equipment:  Big Ox Energy Siouxland, LLC - The employer is failing to ensure that employee(s) are wearing appropriate eye and face protection from hazards such as pressurized liquid wastewater and impact from pressurized hoses. On or about December 4, 2016, an employee wearing only standard safety glasses was struck in the face by pressurized wastewater and a flying hose nozzle that became unsecured from a tanker truck. The employee suffered lacerations, cheek/eye socket fractures, and chipped teeth.

Issued

Apr 17, 2017

Abate by

May 1, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 14801640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(e)(6): The employer did not retain each canceled entry permit for at least one year to facilitate the review of the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(14):  The employer is failing to retain confined space entry permits for employee entries into facility permit required confined spaces including, but not limited to the GEM unit and the receiving pit for September 2016 through October 2016. Canceled entry permits were not available upon agency request. Entry permits were not available and/or filled out to ensure compliance with the requirements of the standard.

Issued

Apr 17, 2017

Abate by

May 22, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:  Employer is failing to develop and implement specific energy control / lockout-tagout procedures for facility equipment including, but not limited to the GEM (Gas Energy Mixing) System, centrifuge, raw-feed and digester pumps. Equipment specific energy control procedures were not available upon agency request. Employees are exposed to electrical, flowing wastewater/chemicals, and mechanical hazards while performing maintenance, cleaning, and repair on this equipment. This violation was last observed during this inspection on December 8, 2016.

Issued

Apr 17, 2017

Abate by

May 22, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(4)(i): Lockout or tagout devices were not affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees:  Employer is failing to ensure that each authorized employee affixes their own lock or tag to an energy isolating device prior to working on facility equipment including, but not limited to the GEM (Gas Energy Mixing) System, centrifuge, raw-feed and digester pumps.  Employees are exposed to electrical, flowing wastewater/chemicals, and mechanical hazards while performing maintenance, cleaning, and repair on this equipment. This violation last occurred during this inspection on or about December 8, 2016 during group maintenance on Digester Feed Pumps 1 & 2.

Issued

Apr 17, 2017

Abate by

May 1, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(ii): Employee training did not include the physical, health, simple asphyxiation, combustible dust, and pyrophoric gas hazards, as well as hazards not otherwise classified, of the chemicals in the work area:  Employer is failing to ensure that employees throughout the facility, exposed to high levels of air contaminants including, but not limited to hydrogen sulfide, were properly trained and understood the physical, health effects, symptoms, and methods to protect themselves. This hazard was last observed during this inspection on October 27, 2016.