OSHA Inspection: CSS POTATO FARMS, LLC

Issued

Dec 1, 2017

Abate by

Feb 14, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $8,873 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1928.57(a)(6)(iii):  Instruction was not provided to stop engine, disconnect the power source, and wait for all machine movement to stop before servicing, adjusting, cleaning, or unclogging the equipment:              The employer is failing to ensure employees performing cleaning operations on equipment in the facility are protected from hazards including but not limited to amputation and crushing.  This was most recently documented at 3605 W. Watts Road, North Platte, Nebraska on or about September 12, 2017 when the employer trained employees to remove the drive pulley guard without ensuring the power source was disconnected and the machine movement had stopped to perform cleaning operations on the conveyor system.  This was specific to the  area where the conveyor belt and the 29 inch self-cleaning pulley meet on the 900 Series Self-Unloading Truck Bed of the "potato barge".

Issued

Dec 1, 2017

Abate by

Feb 14, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $8,872 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 caught in hazards.     The employer is failing to ensure employees are protected from caught in and crushing hazards in the work place.  Employees were allowed to remove the drive pulley guard to clean compacted dirt from the conveyor belt and the 29 inch self-cleaning pulley. This most recently occurred at 3605 W. Watts Road, North Platte, Nebraska on or about September 12, 2017 when the employer had an employee clean out the 900 Series Self-Unloading Truck Bed of the "potato barge".  The employer is failing to ensure that all moving parts on equipment are guarded during the cleaning.       AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS:       i)  Develop, implement, and enforce a cleaning procedure for the "potato barges" present in the facility.  This policy should require complete energy isolation or guarding of all moving parts that create hazards while cleaning operations are accomplished.  The procedure should utilize alternate methods of cleaning the barges such as, but not limited to the use pressurized air or water as agents to remove the dirt.  ii)  Develop a training program specific to the cleaning of the 900 Series Self-Unloading Truck Bed.  This training should be based on, and include the items delineated in the User's manual, Page 6 - Safety Guidelines.  Then ensure that all employees are trained on this program.  The training must be documented, a system to ensure compliance with the procedures must be in place, and an active discipline policy for violators of the procedure must be developed and followed.