OSHA Inspection: GERMAN PELLETS OF TEXAS

Issued

Apr 17, 2018

Abate by

May 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $85,362 · Current $55,485 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 hazards:    a)  At the facility, Silo #3:  On or about October 20, 2017, an employee entered a permit-required confined space silo to dislodge an unstable pile of wood pellets.  As of October 20, 2017, the wood pellets within Silo #3 had become stuck together in large masses.  Respondent represents that this was the result of firefighting response activities directed by court order requiring removal of the pellets, including liquid nitrogen and saltwater infiltration.  In the course of operating equipment outside the silo (using bucket, arm, and loader to reach into the silo without entering it), employees faced mounting difficulties in extracting pellets, and maneuvered equipment into the silo to extract pellets before immediately exiting the silo.

Issued

Apr 17, 2018

Abate by

May 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $85,362 · Current $55,485 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1917.151(b)(1): Danger zones on machines and equipment used by employees were not guarded:    a) At the facility, Silo 3: On October 19, 2017 and times theretofore and thereafter, the danger zone of the auger was not guarded while employees conducted wood pellet reclaiming near the point of operation, exposing employees to a caught in hazard.

Issued

Apr 17, 2018

Abate by

May 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $19,919 · Current $12,947 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1917.23(b)(1): The employer did not ensure that a properly equipped designated person tested the atmosphere in rooms, buildings, vehicles, railcars, or other spaces that contains or had contained a hazardous atmosphere, prior to employee entry to determine whether a hazardous atmosphere existed:    a)  At the facility, Silo 3:  On October 20, 2017 and times theretofore and thereafter, a properly equipped designated person did not test the internal atmosphere for oxygen and carbon monoxide when employees were directed to work inside to conduct reclaiming of wooden pellets, exposing employees to inhalation hazards.    German Pellets Texas LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number #950187, citation number 1, item number 1b and was affirmed as a final order on May 16, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 498-A West Lakeshore Dr., Port Arthur, TX.

Issued

Apr 17, 2018

Abate by

May 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $19,919 · Current $12,947 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1917.112(b)(1): Guardrails were not provided at locations where employees were exposed to floor or wall openings or waterside edges, including bridges or gangway-like structures leading to pilings or vessel mooring or berthing installations, which presented a hazard of falling more than 4 feet or into the water:    a)  At the facility, at the front of silo #3: Guardrails were not provided around the entrance to the silo tunnel, exposing employees to fall hazards.    German Pellets Texas LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection #1074467, citation number1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on May 16, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 498-A West Lakeshore Dr., Port Arthur, TX.