OSHA Inspection: DOOR COUNTY COOPERATIVE

Issued

Dec 8, 2017

Penalty

Initial $6,338 · Current $4,437 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1): Energy control program. The employer shall establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performs any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative.  (a)  On or about August 14, 2017 and thereafter, the employer did not develop, document, and utilize a Hazardous Energy Control Program to include energy control procedures when employees were performing servicing, maintenance, and cleaning activities.  (b)  On or about August 14, 2017 and thereafter, the employer did not develop, document, and utilize a Hazardous Energy Control Program to include periodic inspections when employees were performing servicing, maintenance, and cleaning activities.

Issued

Dec 8, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,070 · Current $3,549 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(ii): Prior to permitting an employee to operate a powered industrial truck (except for training purposes), the employer shall ensure that each operator has successfully completed the training required by this paragraph (l), except as permitted by paragraph (l)(5).  In August 2017 and thereafter, employees operated the powered industrial truck (Toyota propane forklift) without receiving training to ensure they had the skills and knowledge necessary to operate safely.

Issued

Dec 8, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(5): Avoidance of duplicative training. If an operator has previously received training in a topic specified in paragraph (l)(3) of this section, and such training is appropriate to the truck and working conditions encountered, additional training in that topic is not required if the operator has been evaluated and found competent to operate the truck safely.  In August 2017 and thereafter, employee(s) previously trained on an electric forklift did not receiving training on the propane forklift nor evaluated to ensure the employee(s) had the skills and knowledge necessary to operate the powered industrial vehicle.

Issued

Dec 8, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,070 · Current $3,549 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Guarding. Pulleys, any parts of which are seven (7) feet or less from the floor or working platform, shall be guarded in accordance with the standards specified in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section. Pulleys serving as balance wheels (e.g., punch presses) on which the point of contact between belt and pulley is more than six feet six inches (6 ft. 6 in.) from the floor or platform may be guarded with a disk covering the spokes.  During the week of August 28 and thereafter, the 80,000 bushel corn bin had a guard which did not fully enclose the spokes of the pulley system exposing employees to caught in hazards.

Issued

Dec 8, 2017

Abate by

Jan 9, 2018

Penalty

Initial $6,338 · Current $4,437 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(i): The employer shall issue a permit for entering bins, silos, or tanks unless the employer or the employer's representative (who would otherwise authorize the permit) is present during the entire operation. The permit shall certify that the precautions contained in this paragraph (1910.272(g)) have been implemented prior to employees entering bins, silos or tanks. The permit shall be kept on file until completion of the entry operations.  During the week of August 14, 2017, a permit for entering the bean bin, located down the street from the main facility, was not filled out prior to entry exposing employees to potential asphyxiation and engulfment hazards.

Issued

Dec 8, 2017

Abate by

Jan 9, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(ii): All mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment which presents a danger to employees inside grain storage structures shall be deenergized and shall be disconnected, locked-out and tagged, blocked-off, or otherwise prevented from operating by other equally effective means or methods.  During the week of August 14, 2017, employee(s) entering the bean bin, located down the street from the main facility, did not lock out the equipment going into the bin and the auger below exposing employees to inadvertent/accidental restart of equipment.

Issued

Dec 8, 2017

Abate by

Jan 9, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(iii): The atmosphere within a bin, silo, or tank shall be tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors, and toxic agents when the employer has reason to believe they may be present. Additionally, the atmosphere within a bin, silo, or tank shall be tested for oxygen content unless there is continuous natural air movement or continuous forced-air ventilation before and during the period employees are inside. If the oxygen level is less than 19.5%, or if combustible gas or vapor is detected in excess of 10% of the lower flammable limit, or if toxic agents are present in excess of the ceiling values listed in Subpart Z of 29 CFR Part 1910, or if toxic agents are present in concentrations that will cause health effects which prevent employees from effecting self-rescue or communication to obtain assistance, the following provisions apply.  During the week of August 14, 2017, employee(s) entering the bean bin, located down the street from the main facility, did not monitor the atmosphere prior to entering.

Issued

Dec 8, 2017

Abate by

Jan 9, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(3): An observer, equipped to provide assistance, shall be stationed outside the bin, silo, or tank being entered by an employee. Communications (visual, voice, or signal line) shall be maintained between the observer and employee entering the bin, silo, or tank.  During the week of August 14, 2017, employee(s) entering the bean bin, located down the street from the main facility, did not have an observer stationed outside of the bin.

Issued

Dec 8, 2017

Abate by

Jan 9, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(4): The employer shall provide equipment for rescue operations which is specifically suited for the bin, silo, or tank being entered.  During the week of August 14, 2017, employee(s) entering the bean bin, located down the street from the main facility, did not have rescue operations specifically suited for the bin entry.

Issued

Dec 8, 2017

Abate by

Jan 9, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,070 · Current $3,549 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.451(a)(6): Scaffolds shall be designed by a qualified person and shall be constructed and loaded in accordance with that design. Non-mandatory Appendix A to this subpart contains examples of criteria that will enable an employer to comply with paragraph (a) of this section. (Reference Standard:  General Industry 29 CFR 1910.27(a))  During the week of September 18, 2017, a pallet placed on the forks of the Toyota forklift was used to lift employee(s) to perform various tasks exposing employees to fall hazards.