OSHA Inspection: MICOBE, INC.

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Abate by

Jul 3, 2018

Penalty

Initial $4,434 · Current $2,660 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces were not kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition:  The employer did not ensure trip hazards and grain dust was removed and cleaned from electrical equipment, machinery, and ledges exposing the employees to fire hazards.    a. Grain Bins #1, #2, #3 b. Mill #2 and Mill #4

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Abate by

Jul 3, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,661 · Current $1,597 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that was 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level was protected from falling by one or more of the following:  Guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems:  The employer did not ensure the elevated work platforms at the truck load out station were equipped with a guard rail system exposing employees to fall hazards of approximately 12 feet or greater to the ground below.

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Abate by

Jul 3, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,661 · Current $1,597 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c): The employer did not develop and implement a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures and elements for required respirator use:  In the Mill, the employer did not develop or implement a respiratory protection program to ensure employees required to wear half-face air purifying respirators were medically fit, fit tested and trained prior to allowing employees to wear respirators.

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Abate by

Jul 3, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,661 · Current $1,597 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator was competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l)   The employer did not ensure that each forklift operator was competent to operate a powered industrial truck exposing the employees to struck-by hazards.

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,174 · Current $3,104 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Point(s) of operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s):  The employer did not ensure grain bin feed and scale augers were guarded exposing employees to amputation or caught-in hazards.      a.         DDG Grain Bin b.         Bone ML Grain Bin c.         Soy Hull Pellet Grain Bin d.         Scale Auger

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(2)(i): All exposed part(s) of horizontal shafting seven (7) feet or less from floor or working platform were not protected by stationary casing(s) enclosing shafting completely or by trough(s) enclosing sides and top or sides and bottom of shafting:   The employer did not ensure horizontal shafting was guarded exposing employees to caught-in hazards.      a. 1st Grinder Electrical Motor Horizontal Rotating Shaft  b. California Pellet Mill Electrical Motor Horizontal Rotating Shaft

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(i): Projecting shaft ends shall present a smooth edge and end and shall not project more than one-half the diameter of the shaft unless guarded by nonrotating caps or safety sleeves.  The employer did not ensure that shaft ends did not project more than one-half the diameter of the shaft:  a. #4 California Pellet Mill b. Mill #4 Bag Line Conveyor Motor Shaft

Issued

Jun 5, 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):  The employer did ensure belts and pulleys were guarded exposing employees to caught-in hazards.  a. #2 Leg Elevator Belt and Pulleys were not guarded. b. #2 Pellet Mill Belt and Pulleys were not guarded. c. #4 Mill Belt and Pulleys were not guarded. d. Shaker Belt and Pulleys were not guarded. e. Mixer Outside Scale Belt and Pulleys were not guarded. f. Back Pit Area Corn, Wheat and Milo Grinders Belt and Pulleys were not guarded.

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven -7 feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:   The employer did not ensure sprocket wheels and chains which were seven -7 feet or less above floors or platforms were enclosed:  a. Mill #2 chains and sprockets were not guarded. b. Mill #4 chains and sprockets were not guarded. c. Mill #2 Bag Line Conveyors chain and sprockets were not guarded. d. Mill #4 Bag Line Conveyors chain and sprockets were not guarded.

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Abate by

Jul 3, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,827 · Current $1,696 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(2): When entering the grain handling facility bins, silos, or tanks from the top, employees did not wear a body harness with lifeline, or use a boatswain's chair that met the requirements of Subpart D, 29 CFR 1910.28(j):  The employer did not ensure when employees enter grain handling facility bins, silos, or tanks from the top, employees wore a body harness with lifeline, or used a boatswain's chair.

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Abate by

Jul 3, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,827 · Current $1,696 Reduced

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.  The employer did not provide equipment for rescue operations which is specifically suited for the bin, silo, or tank when employees entered to break bridging grain.

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $1,696 · Current $1,018 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(k): Receiving pit feed openings in the grain handling facility, such as truck or railcar receiving pits, were not covered by grates which had a maximum opening width of 2 1/2 inches:   The employer did not ensure pit feed openings in the grain handling facility had a maximum opening width of 2 1/2 inches.

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,827 · Current $1,696 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1): Electrical equipment was not free from recognized hazards that were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees:  The employer did not ensure the #2 Bag Line electrical outlet was repaired exposing employees to electrical shock hazards.

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,827 · Current $1,696 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:  The employer did not ensure listed or labeled electrical equipment was used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling.     a. In the #2 Mill, employees used an electrical power strip to supply electrical power to Halogen Work light and an Aluminum Incandescent Probable Light Fixtures with Clamp.    b. At the #2 Bag Line, employees used an electrical power strip to supply electrical power to equipment.     c. In Grain Bins 1, 2 and 3 employees used Aluminum Incandescent Probable Light Fixtures with Clamp.    d. At the scale and grinder outside area, the employer used an electrical disconnect equipped with extension cords to power electrical equipment.

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,827 · Current $1,696 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(i): Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings shall be effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment.  The employer did not ensure unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings were effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment.  a.    Soy Hull Grain Bin Electrical Cutler-Hammer Safety Switch Cabinet unused openings were not effectively closed. b.    Molasses Switch Board unused openings were not closed. c.    #2 and #4 Mill Bag Lines switch and junction box were not covered.  d.    Outside Scale Disconnect unused opening was not closed.

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,827 · Current $1,696 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i): Except as elsewhere required or permitted by Subpart S of Part 1910, live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more were not guarded against accidental contact by use of approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures or by any of the means identified in paragraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i).   At the mill access ladder to the upper grain bins, the employer did not ensure electric equipment wiring was guarded against accidental contact.

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,262 · Current $1,357 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:    The employer did not ensure flexible cords and/or cables were not used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.    a.    Flexible cord at the outside electrical station for the wheat conveyor to the pan. b.    Flexible cord at the outside scales to motor. c.    Flexible cords at the #2 Mill Bag line disconnect marked 1022. d.    Flexible cords at the #4 Mill Bag line.

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $1,696 · Current $1,018 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(D): Flexible cords and cables were attached to building surfaces:  The employer did not ensure flexible cords and cables were not attached to building surfaces.     a. Flexible cord used in Soy Hull Grain Bin for lighting.   b. Flexible cord for the Wheat Conveyor to the pan.

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,262 · Current $1,357 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords were not connected to devices and fittings so that tension would not be transmitted to joints or terminal screws:  The employer did not ensure the #2 Bag Line flexible cord was provided with strain relief exposing employees to burn or shock hazards.

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Abate by

Jul 3, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(e)(2): Employees assigned special tasks in the grain handling facility, such as bin entry and handling of flammable or toxic substances, were not provided training to perform these tasks safely:  The employer did not ensure employees assigned special tasks in the grain handling facility, such as bin entry, were provided training about engulfment hazards and how to avoid them.

Issued

Jun 5, 2018

Abate by

Jul 3, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(i): The employer did not issue a permit for entering bins, silos or tanks in the grain handling facility before the employees entered the bins, silos, or tanks:  The employer did not issue a permit for entering bins, silos or tanks in the grain handling facility before employees entered the bins, silos, or tanks.