OSHA Inspection: COLUMBIA GRAIN INTERNATIONAL LLC

Issued

Dec 27, 2019

Abate by

Jan 9, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $13,260

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:      (a) On or about July 3, 2019 and at times prior, for employees exposed to fall hazards of approximately 7.5 feet while standing on a 3 foot by 3 foot platform to access bin 106 during a grain bin cleanout operation located at 329 Wardwell Street in Arvilla, North Dakota.

Issued

Dec 27, 2019

Abate by

Jan 9, 2020

Penalty

Initial $9,472 · Current $9,472

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(ii): Each employee was not protected from tripping into or stepping into or through any hole that was less than 4 feet (1.2 m) above a lower level by covers or guardrail systems:  (a)    On or about July 3, 2019 and at times prior, for an employee exposed to slip, trip, and fall hazards inside bin 106 where the 16" by 16" sump holes were unguarded while cleaning and unclogging sump holes inside the bin at 329 Wardwell Street in Arvilla, North Dakota.

Issued

Dec 27, 2019

Abate by

Jan 3, 2020

Penalty

Initial $13,260 · Current $3,000 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)   On or about July 3, 2019 and at times prior, for employees exposed to being caught-in a running conveyor when the chute was removed while unclogging sumps on bin 106 at or near 329 Wardwell Street in Arvilla, North Dakota.

Issued

Dec 27, 2019

Abate by

Jan 3, 2020

Penalty

Initial $13,260 · Current $13,260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(2): Whenever an employee enters a grain storage structure from a level at or above the level of the stored grain or grain products, or whenever an employee walks or stands on or in stored grain of a depth which poses an engulfment hazard, the employees were not equipped with a body harness with lifeline, or a boatswain's chair that meets the requirements of subpart D of this part:     (a)    On or about July 3, 2019 and at times prior, for the employees exposed to caught-in and engulfment hazards inside bin 106 while walking on grain up to 10 feet deep while attempting to unclog conveyor sumps at or near 329 Wardwell Street in Arvilla, North Dakota.

Issued

Dec 27, 2019

Abate by

Jan 3, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $9,472

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(5): The employee acting as an observer for bin, tank, or silo entry operations in the grain handling facility was not trained in rescue procedures, including notification methods for obtaining additional assistance:      (a)   On or about July 3, 2019 and at times prior, for the employees exposed to caught-in and engulfment hazards where grain storage bin 106 was entered for cleaning without rescue equipment in place and/or proper procedures for summoning effective rescue services at or near 329 Wardwell Street in Arvilla, North Dakota.

Issued

Dec 27, 2019

Abate by

Jan 3, 2020

Penalty

Initial $132,598 · Current $79,560 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(ii): Prior to bin 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)   On or about July 3, 2019 and at times prior, for the employees exposed to caught-in and engulfment hazards where grain storage bin 106 was entered to unclog the sumps while the conveyor was running at or near 329 Wardwell Street in Arvilla, North Dakota.

Issued

Dec 27, 2019

Abate by

Jan 3, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(e)(1)(ii): Current employees and new employees prior to starting work in the grain handling facility were not trained in the specific procedures and safety practices applicable to their job tasks including but not limited to cleaning procedures for grinding equipment, clearing procedures for choked legs, housekeeping procedures, hot work procedures, preventive maintenance procedures and lock out tag out procedures:     (a)   On or about July 3, 2019 and at times prior, for the employees exposed to caught-in and engulfment hazards where grain storage bin 106 was entered for cleaning while the conveyor was running and the wrong infeed conveyor was tagged out, at or near 329 Wardwell Street in Arvilla, North Dakota.

Issued

Dec 27, 2019

Abate by

Jan 3, 2020

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:     (a)   On or about July 3, 2019 and at times prior, for the employees exposed to caught-in and engulfment hazards where grain storage bin 106 was entered with grain at depths that posed and engulfment hazard while the conveyor was running and without an attendant in place at all times, at or near 329 Wardwell Street in Arvilla, North Dakota.