OSHA Inspection: CARGILL, INCORPORATED

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 14, 2019

Penalty

Initial $8,335 · Current $5,835 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(ii): (ii) Each employee is protected from tripping into or stepping into or through any hole that is less than 4 feet (1.2 m) above a lower level by covers or guardrail systems;    Employees working in Bin 4 were exposed to tripping and falling hazards due to two holes on the floor of the hoppered bin floor.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 14, 2019

Penalty

Initial $13,260 · Current $9,282 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(ii): All mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment which presents a danger to employees inside grain storage structures shall be deenergized and shall be disconnected, locked-out and tagged, blocked-off, or otherwise prevented from operating by other equally effective means or methods.    Prior to entering Bin 4, the discharge chute was not closed and the discharge conveyor was not deenergized and locked out exposing employees to engulfment hazards.

Issued

Oct 16, 2019

Abate by

Nov 14, 2019

Penalty

Initial $13,260 · Current $9,282 Reduced

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 employer shall equip the employee with a body harness with lifeline, or a boatswain's chair that meets the requirements of subpart D of this part. The lifeline shall be so positioned, and of sufficient length, to prevent the employee from sinking further than waist-deep in the grain.     Exception: Where the employer can demonstrate that the protection required by this paragraph is not feasible or creates a greater hazard, the employer shall provide an alternative means of protection which is demonstrated to prevent the employee from sinking further than waist-deep in the grain.     Note to paragraph (g)(2): When the employee is standing or walking on a surface which the employer demonstrates is free from engulfment hazards, the lifeline or alternative means may be disconnected or removed.    In Bin 4, an employee working at the platform at the bottom of the grain bin was not positioned to prevent the employee from sinking further than waist-deep in the grain exposing employees to engulfment hazards.