OSHA Inspection: VALLEY COOP, INC.

Issued

Aug 20, 2019

Abate by

Sep 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,978 · Current $2,387 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each operator had successfully completed the training consisting of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace:    Employees were exposed to struck-by hazards. Employees engaged in material handing activities using the Optimum 30 Nissan forklift, the 15 Nissan forklift, and the 35 Nissan forklift were exposed to struck-by hazards in that comprehensive forklift training was not provided prior to permitting forklift operation. There was no formal instruction/training.    29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is complete.

Issued

Aug 20, 2019

Abate by

Sep 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,978 · Current $2,387 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(p)(1): Powered industrial truck(s) with defect(s) or in any way unsafe had not been withdrawn from service until restored to safe operating condition(s):    Employees were exposed to struck-by hazards. Employees engaged in material handing activities were exposed in that forklifts were operated with defects in the following instances:    a) The Optimum 30 Nissan forklift did not have a functioning horn, and the lights on left side were damaged/not working.  b) The 15 Nissan forklift did not have a functioning horn.  c) The 35 Nissan forklift did not have directional markings for the control lever that raises, lowers, and tilts the mast.    29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is complete.

Issued

Aug 20, 2019

Abate by

Sep 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,978 · Current $7,956

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):    Employees were exposed to caught-in and amputation hazards. Employees engaged in grain handling activities in the elevator at the motor for the reclaim conveyor which go to the bottom leg 8 to 16, were exposed to caught-in and amputation hazards in that the belt and pulley on the side of the motor was not guarded.    29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is complete.

Issued

Aug 20, 2019

Abate by

Sep 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i): Vertical or inclined belt(s) were not enclosed by guard(s) conforming to the requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    Employees were exposed to caught-in and amputation hazards. Employees engaged in grain handling activities in the elevator at the motor for the reclaim conveyor which go to the bottom leg 8 to 16, were exposed to caught-in and amputation hazards in that the belt and pulley on the side of the motor was not guarded.    29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is complete.

Issued

Aug 20, 2019

Abate by

Sep 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(2): Guard(s) on machine(s) were not affixed to the machine or secured elsewhere when attachment to the machine was not possible:    Employees were exposed to amputation and struck-by hazards. Employees engaged in bin cleaning activities inside bin #16 by the reclaim conveyor, were exposed to amputation hazards in that the grate to cover the floor auger opening was not secured to protect employees from being pulled into the running auger.    29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1) requires certification and documentation that the abatement of the above violation is completed.

Issued

Aug 20, 2019

Abate by

Sep 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,978 · Current $2,387 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(f)(2): Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its disconnecting means or overcurrent device, was not legibly marked to indicate its purpose, nor located and arranged so the purpose was evident:    Employees were exposed to fire and electrical shock hazards. Employees engaged in housekeeping and grain handling activities in the feed mill and elevator were exposed to fire and electrical shock hazards in that four (4) of the ON/OFF safety switch boxes located outside of Bin #16, between Bin #6 and Bin #8 were not properly labeled to indicate their intended use.    29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is complete.

Issued

Aug 20, 2019

Abate by

Sep 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,978 · Current $2,387 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:     Employees were exposed to fire and electrical shock hazards. Employees engaged in housekeeping and grain handling activities in the electrical room of the feed mill were exposed to fire and electrical shock hazards from energized electrical wires, live electrical parts were exposed due to a missing knockout at the following areas:    a) The Roller Mill 20 HP electrical box had a knockout missing.  b) The Pellet cooler fan 20 HP electrical box had a knockout missing.  c) The Siemens Mixer electrical box had 2 knockouts missing.    29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is complete.

Issued

Aug 20, 2019

Abate by

Sep 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,978 · Current $2,387 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): All pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers approved for the purpose; and each outlet box in completed installations did not have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy:    Employees were exposed to fire and electrical shock hazards. Employees engaged in housekeeping and grain handling activities in the bin deck area of the elevator were exposed to fire and electrical shock hazards in that the light switch box did not have a faceplate installed.    29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is complete.

Issued

Aug 20, 2019

Abate by

Sep 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,978 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and cables were used as a substitute for fixed wiring of a structure:    Employees were exposed to fire and electrical shock hazards. Employees engaged in production activities at the feed mill and the warehouse were exposed to fire and electrical shock hazards in that the flexible cords were used in lieu of fixed wiring at the following areas:    a) A flexible cord used to supply power to the two scales at the mixer stand area.  b) A flexible cord used to supply power to the Dupont Finesse machine inside the paper room by the warehouse.    29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is complete.