OSHA Inspection: CHS COOPERATIVES, INC.

Issued

Feb 16, 2018

Abate by

Mar 9, 2018

Penalty

Initial $3,298 · Current $3,298

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(b)(2): (2) Ladder rungs, steps, and cleats were spaced more than 14 inches apart, as measured between the centerlines of the rungs, cleats, and steps:     (a) CHS M & M COOP located at 102 S. Detroit Street, Yuma, CO 80759:  On and before, December 26, 2017, the employer did not ensure that the ladder rungs on the fixed ladder leading to the boot pit were spaced not more than 14 inches apart (vertically). This ladder was the primary means of entry and exit into the grain elevator boot pit, and employees used this ladder to enter and exit the boot pit.  This condition exposed employees to fall and fire hazards.

Issued

Feb 16, 2018

Abate by

Mar 9, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(b)(4): (4) Ladder rungs, steps, and cleats did not have a minimum clear width of 16 inches (41 cm) for fixed ladders:    (a) CHS M & M COOP located at 102 S. Detroit Street, Yuma, CO 80759:  On and before December 26, 2017, the employer did not ensure that the ladder rungs on the fixed ladder leading to the boot pit had a minimum clear width of 16 inches.  This ladder was the primary means of entry and exit into the grain elevator boot pit, and employees used this ladder to enter and exit the boot pit.  This condition exposed employees to fall and fire hazards.

Issued

Feb 16, 2018

Abate by

Mar 9, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(2): The employer did not install fixed ladders with a minimum perpendicular distance of 7 inches, from the centerline of the steps or rungs, or grab bars, or both, to the nearest permanent object in back of the ladder:    (a) CHS M & M COOP located at 102 S. Detroit Street, Yuma, CO 80759:  On and before December 26, 2017, the employer did not ensure that ladder rungs on the fixed ladder leading to the boot pit had a minimum perpendicular distance of 7" from the nearest permanent object in the back of the ladder.  The fixed ladder leading to the boot pit was 5.5" from the outside of a grain bin for the entire section of ladder leading down to the boot pit.  This ladder was the primary means of entry and exit into the grain elevator boot pit, and employees used this ladder to enter and exit the boot pit.  This condition exposed employees to fall and fire hazards.

Issued

Feb 16, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $4,398 · Current $4,398

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(i): Unguarded projecting shaft end(s) did not present a smooth edge and end and projected more than one-half the diameter of the shaft:    (a) CHS M & M COOP located at 102 S. Detroit Street, Yuma, CO 80759:  On and before December 26, 2017, the employer did not ensure that a shaft on the main roller/pulley of the grain conveyor was guarded.  The shaft projected 9" from the main pulley and measured approximately 2.5" in diameter.  The shaft rotated at the same speed as the main pulley.  The conveyor system was used to transport grain from the boot pit to the various grain bins.  This condition exposed employees to the hazard of getting caught in the rotating part.

Issued

Feb 16, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(ii): The unused keyway(s) of a projecting shaft end was not filled up or covered:    (a) CHS M & M COOP located at 102 S. Detroit Street, Yuma, CO 80759:  On and before December 26, 2017, the employer did not ensure that the unused keyway of projecting shaft end was filled up or covered.  The shaft projected 9" from the main pulley and measured approximately 2.5" in diameter, with the keyway along the entire length of the shaft.  The shaft rotated at the same speed as the main pulley.  The conveyor system was used to transport grain from the boot pit to the various grain bins.  The condition exposed employees to the hazard of getting caught in the rotating part.

Issued

Feb 16, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    (a) CHS M & M COOP located at 102 S. Detroit Street, Yuma, CO 80759:  On and before December 26, 2017, the employer did not ensure that the pulley driving the east belt of the open conveyor grain transportation system was guarded. The pulley was partially enclosed in a cage, but the ends were open, which exposed the moving parts of the pulley.  The inside of the pulley had protruding nuts/bolts. The conveyor system was used to transport grain from the boot pit to the various grain bins.  The condition exposed employees to the hazard of getting caught in rotating parts.

Issued

Feb 16, 2018

Abate by

Mar 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $4,398 · Current $4,398

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(3):  Compressed air was used to blow dust from ledges, walls, and other areas in grain handling facilities when machinery presenting an ignition source was not shut down, and/or when all other known potential ignition sources in the area were not removed or controlled:    (a) CHS M & M COOP located at 102 S. Detroit Street, Yuma, CO 80759:  On and before December 26, 2017, the employer did not ensure that all potential ignition sources in the area were shut down when blowing down grain dust in the elevator.  The employer utilized Milwaukee M18 compact blowers to blow down dust within the facility, creating a significant dust cloud.  The compact blowers presented an ignition source since they were not intrinsically safe, were not explosion proof, and were not rated for use in an environment with combustible dust.  This condition exposed employees to fire hazards.