OSHA Inspection: SCHLESSMAN SEED COMPANY

Issued

Mar 8, 2019

Abate by

Jul 1, 2019

Penalty

Initial $2,273 · Current $1,136 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:    a) Schlessman Seed Co located at 11513 US Route 250 North in Milan, Ohio; On or about September 27, 2018 the employer did not establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite procedures when tight fitting respirators are required to be worn. The program shall include the following provisions:     - Procedures for selecting respirators,  - Medical evaluations,  - Fit testing procedures,  - Procedures for proper use,  - Procedures and schedules for cleaning disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and maintaining respirators,  - Training of employees in the respiratory hazards, and,  - Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program.    Employees were exposed to hazards associated with particulates not otherwise regulated when entering grain silos such as but not limited to irritation to the eyes, skin, nose, and upper respiratory system.

Issued

Mar 8, 2019

Abate by

Jul 1, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 91309135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(iii): The employer did not identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace; including a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazards and identification of the contaminant's chemical state and physical form:    a) Schlessman Seed Co located at 11513 US Route 250 North in Milan, Ohio; On or about September 27, 2018 the employer did not conduct an evaluation to determine the respiratory hazards associated with particulates not otherwise regulated when entering grain bins. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with particulates not otherwise regulated when entering grain silos such as but not limited to irritation to the eyes, skin, nose, and upper respiratory system.

Issued

Mar 8, 2019

Abate by

Jul 1, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:    a) Schlessman Seed Co located at 11513 US Route 250 North in Milan, Ohio; On or about September 27, 2018 the employer did not provide medical evaluations for those employees who were required to wear tight fitting half mask respirators and filtering face piece respirators when cleaning grain silos. Employees were exposed to pulmonary and cardiovascular stresses.

Issued

Mar 8, 2019

Abate by

Jul 1, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(1): The employer did not ensure that employee(s) required to use a tight-fitting facepiece respirator passed the appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT):    a) Schlessman Seed Co located at 11513 US Route 250 North in Milan, Ohio; On or about September 27, 2018 the employer did not fit test those employees who were required to wear tight fitting half mask and tight fitting filtering face piece respirators when entering grain silos. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with particulates not otherwise regulated when entering grain silos such as, but not limited to, irritation to the eyes, skin, nose, and upper respiratory system.

Issued

Mar 8, 2019

Abate by

Jul 1, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k): The employer did not provide comprehensive, understandable training which did not occur annually and/or more often if necessary:    a) Schlessman Seed Co located at 11513 US Route 250 North in Milan, Ohio; On or about September 27, 2018 the employer did not provide effective training to employees who are required to wear tight fitting half mask and tight fitting filtering face piece respirators when entering grain silos in that respirators were observed stored in a manner unprotected from damage. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with particulates not otherwise regulated when entering grain silos such as, but not limited to, irritation to the eyes, skin, nose, and upper respiratory system.

Issued

Mar 8, 2019

Abate by

Mar 21, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,304 · Current $2,652 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:    a) Schlessman Seed Co located at 11513 US Route 250 North in Milan, Ohio; On or about September 27, 2018 the employer did not ensure the conveyor located in the basement of the shelling building was adequately guarded. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with in going nip points created between the moving conveyor belt and the C-Channel Pan (bottom pan) of the conveyor. An employee suffered a fingertip amputation, when the employee slipped and fell into the conveyor.

Issued

Mar 8, 2019

Abate by

Jul 1, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,789 · Current $1,895 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(i): The permit for entering bins, silos, or tanks in the grain handling facility did not certify that the precautions contained in 29 CFR 1910.272(g) had been implemented prior to employees entering the bins, silos, or tanks:    a) Schlessman Seed Co located at 11513 US Route 250 North in Milan, Ohio; On or about September 27, 2018 the employer did not certify that the precautions to eliminate the hazards were taken prior to entering grain storage silos. Employees were exposed to hazards such as, but not limited to, caught in hazards due to the presence of an energized sweep auger and atmospheric hazards in that the atmosphere inside the was not tested prior to entry.

Issued

Mar 8, 2019

Abate by

Jul 1, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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.    a) Schlessman Seed Co located at 11513 US Route 250 North in Milan, Ohio; On or about September 27, 2018 the employer did not ensure mechanical equipment such as, but not limited to, sweep augers were de-energized prior to employees entering the silos for cleaning operations. Employees were exposed to caught-in hazards including, but not limited to, fractures, lacerations, and amputations.

Issued

Mar 8, 2019

Abate by

Jul 1, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(iii): The atmosphere within a bin, silo, or tank in the grain handling facility was not tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors, and toxic agents prior to employee entry:    a) Schlessman Seed Co located at 11513 US Route 250 North in Milan, Ohio; On or about September 27, 2018 the employer did not ensure the atmosphere within the grain storage silos were tested for the presence of hazardous conditions. Employees were exposed to atmospheric hazards such as, but not limited to, combustible gases, vapors, and toxins and oxygen deficient conditions.

Issued

Mar 8, 2019

Abate by

Jul 1, 2019

Penalty

Initial $2,273 · Current $1,136 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):    a) Schlessman Seed Co located at 11513 US Route 250 North in Milan, Ohio; On or about October 4, 2018 the employer did not develop and implement the elements of a written hazards communication program. Employees were exposed to health hazards associated with chemicals such as, but not limited to, Ethoxylated Octylphenol, and Non-ionic surfactant found in seed colorant.

Issued

Mar 8, 2019

Abate by

Jul 1, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:    a) Schlessman Seed Co located at 11513 US Route 250 North in Milan, Ohio; On or about October 4, 2018 the employer did not provide effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Employees were exposed to health hazards associated with chemicals such as, but not limited to, Ethoxylated Octylphenol, and Non-ionic surfactant found in seed colorant.