OSHA Inspection: FARMERS RANCHERS COOPERATIVE

Issued

Dec 31, 2018

Abate by

Feb 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $6,467 · Current $4,526 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 such as struck-by, caught under, and roll-over hazards when heavy machinery is utilized.  This was most recently documented during the inspection conducted on August 21, 2018 at the facility located at 87798 429th Ave, Ainsworth, NE 69210.  The employer did not take the necessary precautions to ensure that employees and operators are protected from struck-by, caught under, and roll-over hazards while the JCB 409 pay loader is being used.      Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of abatement include but are not limited to the following:    1. Ensure operators are aware of the hazards associated with operating the pay loader.    2. Ensure operators are trained and understand the operational requirements of this specific type of heavy machinery as outlined in the operators manual for the machinery.     3. Ensure operators read and understand all the warnings on the machine and the safety messages outlined in the operator manual.

Issued

Dec 31, 2018

Abate by

Feb 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,054 · Current $6,340 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:    The employer is failing to ensure that all employees exposed to fall hazards while working on the top of tanker trailers are utilizing fall protection.  This was most recently documented during the inspection conducted on August 21, 2018 on the jobsite located at 87798 429th Ave, Ainsworth, NE 69210.  Employees are exposed to fall hazards while working on an unprotected platform approximately 9 feet above the ground while cleaning the interior of the tanker.  In this instance an employee fell sustaining fatal injuries.

Issued

Dec 31, 2018

Abate by

Jan 28, 2019

Penalty

Initial $6,467 · Current $4,526 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed:    The employer failed to conduct annual periodic reviews of the written specific procedures used as part of the company lockout and tag out (LOTO) program where employees in the Agronomy department are exposed to electrical shock, crushing, or amputation hazards.  This was most recently documented during the inspection conducted on August 21, 2018 at the facility located at 87798 429th Ave, Ainsworth, NE 69210.  LOTO is required while employees are performing maintenance on conveyors, legs, pumps, facility electrical systems, and sprayers.  The employer has machine specific written procedures as part of the written LOTO program; however, the procedures have not been formally reviewed within the past year as outlined in this subpart.

Issued

Dec 31, 2018

Abate by

Feb 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $6,467 · Current $4,526 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(iii): Employee training did not include the measures employees can take to protect themselves from chemical hazards, including specific procedures the employer had implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures and personal protective equipment to be used:    The employer is failing to train employees on the hazards associated with using and working with chemicals in the work place.  This was most recently documented during the inspection conducted on August 21, 2018 at the facility located at 87798 429th Ave, Ainsworth, NE 69210.  The employer has employees using various chemicals such as ammonia, cleaners, lubricants, oils, vehicle fluids, sealants, insecticides, and herbicides during the course of their day-to-day duties.

Issued

Dec 31, 2018

Abate by

Jan 28, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(iii): All operator training and evaluation was not conducted by persons who had the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their performance:   The employer is failing to ensure that employees are protected from struck by and caught under hazards while operating powered industrial trucks due to the training not being conducted by a person who has the knowledge, training and experience to train on the operation of the vehicles.  This was most recently documented during the inspection conducted on August 21, 2018 at the facility located at 87798 429th Ave, Ainsworth, NE 69210.  The employer has an individual who provides powered industrial truck training to employees; however, this individual has not had any form of powered industrial truck training, nor does he possess any experience or knowledge as an operator.