OSHA Inspection: THE HIGGINS GROUP CORP.

Issued

Feb 27, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,304 · Current $3,225 Reduced

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 (including skylights) that was 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level by one or more of the following: covers, guardrail systems, travel restraint systems, or personal fall arrest systems:      On or about 11/1/2018, at the mezzanine area of the production area of The Higgins Group Corp. DBA Higgins Premium Pet Foods.  An employee was exposed to a fall hazard of 7'-1" while standing in close proximity to a floor hole measuring 63" by 60".

Issued

Feb 27, 2019

Abate by

Apr 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,978 · Current $2,700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(e)(1): The employer did not provide training to employees at least annually and when changes in job assignments would expose them to new hazards in the grain handling facilities:       On or about 11/1/2018, at the production area of The Higgins Group Corp. DBA Higgins Premium Foods, employees were not provided with training in general precautions to be observed at production area for prevention and recognition of dust accumulation, as evidenced by, among other conditions; employees were not aware of the combustible characteristics of grain dust; employees did not recognize that electrical fans and/or other equipment used could be sources of ignition; employee sdid not recognized the importance of enclosing production equipment for fugitive dust control; lockout/tagout procedures, etc.

Issued

Feb 27, 2019

Abate by

Apr 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,978 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(j)(1): The employer did not develop and implement a written housekeeping program that established the frequency and the method(s) determined best to reduce accumulations of fugitive grain dust on ledges, floors, equipment, and other exposed surfaces:     On or about 11/1/2018, at the mezzanine area of the production area of The Higgins Group Corp. DBA Higgins Premium Foods, the employer did not develop and implement a written housekeeping program, which exposed employees to fire and explosion hazards while working in an area where Class II combustible dust was deposited on electrical conduits, electrical equipment, joists, platforms and walls.

Issued

Feb 27, 2019

Abate by

Apr 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,978 · Current $2,700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c): Equipment, wiring methods, and installations of equipment in hazardous (classified) locations were not intrinsically safe, approved for the hazardous (classified) location, or safe for the hazardous (classified) location:    On or about 11/1/2018, at the production area of The Higgins Group Corp DBA Higgins Premium Pet Foods. A vacuum cleaner (i.e. Ridgid Shop Vac, Serial #11347 R 0640) was used for the collection of deposited 81% combustible dust on a Class II, Division 2 hazardous location, exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards.

Issued

Feb 27, 2019

Abate by

Apr 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(3): Walking-working surfaces were not maintained free of hazards such as sharp or protruding objects, loose boards, corrosion, leaks, spills, snow, and ice:      On or about 11/1/2018, at the mezzanine of the production area, The Higgins Group Corp. DBA Higgins Pet Premium Foods, employees were exposed to a tripping hazard while walking in close proximity of a loose piece of wood around scales of the small bags production line.