OSHA Inspection: RHEA CATTLE COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Sep 18, 2017

Abate by

Oct 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,387 · Current $3,771 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section (5)(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: 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 engulfment, entrapment, and atmospheric hazards at the facility.  Employer is failing to protect employees during entry into permit required confined spaces including, but not limited to the following instances:  A) On or about May 22, 2017, an employee entered overhead bin/hopper #2 without conducting any atmospheric testing and without an adequate means of retrieval/rescue.  B) On or about June 15, 2017, an employee entered overhead bin/hopper #4 without conducting any atmospheric testing and without an adequate means of retrieval/rescue.  AMONG OTHER METHODS, FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHODS TO CORRECT THESE HAZARDS ARE:  i) Implement atmospheric testing procedures as established in ANSI Z117.1 - 2016, Section 6.  ii) Implement safeguards such as the use of rescue and retrieval equipment outlined in ANSI Z117.1 - 2016, Section 12.  iii) Implement existing Rhea Cattle Company, Inc. / Dehy Alfalfa Mills, Inc. Confined Space Program/Policy.