OSHA Inspection: GAVILON GRAIN, LLC

Issued

Jun 28, 2018

Abate by

May 8, 2019

Penalty

Initial $12,934 · Current $12,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(5): The employee acting as an observer for bin, tank, or silo entry operations in the grain handling facility was not trained in rescue procedures, including notification methods for obtaining additional assistance:    The employer is failing to prevent employee exposure to grain engulfment hazards associated with grain bin entry to include cleaning activities.  The condition was most recently observed on January 2, 2018, at 5755 S Hoover Rd., Wichita, Kansas.  Employees acting as observers for bin 1100 entry operations were not adequately trained in rescue procedures.

Issued

Jun 28, 2018

Abate by

May 8, 2019

Penalty

Initial $129,336 · Current $12,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(ii): Prior to entry, all mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment which presented a danger to employees inside grain storage structures in the grain handling facility were not disconnected, locked out and tagged, blocked-off, or otherwise prevented from operating by other equally effective means or methods.    The employer is failing to prevent employee exposure to grain engulfment hazards associated with grain bin entry to include cleaning activities.  The condition was most recently observed on January 2, 2018, at 5755 S Hoover Rd., Wichita, Kansas.  Employees entered into bin 1100, with approximately 4000 bushels of soybeans, to break apart a blockage in the drain spout/chute when the conveyor belt below was activated without a grate covering the opening.  During the entry, the employees became engulfed/entrapped in the flowing grain created by the running tunnel conveyor belt.    a) Drain spout/chutes was not locked out/tagged out or blocked by other means    b) Conveyor belt in the tunnel below bin 1100 was not locked out/tagged out

Issued

Jun 28, 2018

Abate by

May 8, 2019

Penalty

Initial $129,336 · Current $100,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(2): Whenever an employee enters a grain storage structure from a level at or above the level of the stored grain or grain products, or whenever an employee walks or stands on or in stored grain of a depth which poses an engulfment hazard, the employer shall equip the employee with a body harness with lifeline, or a boatswain's chair that meets the requirements of subpart D of this part. The lifeline shall be so positioned, and of sufficient length, to prevent the employee from sinking further than waist-deep in the grain. Exception: Where the employer can demonstrate that the protection required by this paragraph is not feasible or creates a greater hazard, the employer shall provide an alternative means of protection which is demonstrated to prevent the employee from sinking further than waist-deep in the grain.     The employer is failing to prevent employee exposure to grain engulfment hazards associated with grain bin entry to include cleaning activities.  The condition was most recently observed on January 2, 2018, at 5755 S Hoover Rd., Wichita, Kansas.  Employees entered grain bin 1100 without a lifeline connected to their body harnesses to break apart a blockage in the drain hole with approximately 4000 bushels of soybeans.  Employees were able to sink greater than waist deep into soybeans without a non-entry retrieval mechanism.

Issued

Jun 28, 2018

Abate by

May 8, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(4): The employer did not provide equipment for rescue operations, which was specifically suited for the bin, silo, or tank being entered:    The employer is failing to prevent employee exposure to grain engulfment hazards associated with grain bin entry to include cleaning activities.  The condition was most recently observed on January 2, 2018, at 5755 S Hoover Rd., Wichita, Kansas.  Employees engaged in bin cleaning activities were not provided with rescue equipment specifically suited for the bin entered and lifelines were not in the immediate area of the bin 1100 prior to entry.

Issued

Jun 28, 2018

Abate by

May 8, 2019

Penalty

Initial $129,336 · Current $100,000 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

Issued

Jun 28, 2018

Abate by

May 8, 2019

Penalty

Initial $50,815 · Current $100,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(i):  The employer did not ensure each employee was protected from falling through any hole that was 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower lever by one or more of the following:    The employer is failing to prevent employee exposure to fall hazards associated with grain bin entry to include cleaning activities.  The condition was most recently observed on January 2, 2018, at 5755 S Hoover Rd., Wichita, Kansas.  Employees placing the mechanical shovel equipment into bin 1100 were exposed to fall hazards of up to approximately one hundred (100) feet in that fall protection was not used when the grating was removed from the floor opening.     Gavilon Grain, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.23(a)(3)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 725042, citation number 1, item number 2, and was affirmed as a final order on 04/21/2014, with respect to a workplace located at 5755 S Hoover Rd., Wichita, Kansas 67216.