OSHA Inspection: CARGILL, INC.

Issued

Mar 3, 2020

Abate by

Apr 17, 2020

Penalty

Initial $6,361 · Current $6,361

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(b)(10): The employer did not ensure any ladder with structural or other defects was immediately tagged "Dangerous: Do Not Use" or with similar language in accordance with 1910.145 and removed from service until repaired in accordance with 1910.22(d), or replaced:    (a)  The employer is failing to protect employees from fall hazards.  Employee(s) climbing the fix ladder to access the bag house in the Dust Tank area (southeast side of plant by the rails) located at 15662 258th Road, Cummings, Kansas, were exposed to fall hazards.  The left side rail at the lower base of the fixed ladder was damaged resulting in an indentation that can cause the fixed ladder to fail.    (b)  The employer is failing to protect employees from fall hazards.  Employee(s) climbing down the fix ladder from the bag house in the Dust Tank area (southeast side of plant by the rails) located at 15662 258th Road, Cummings, Kansas, were exposed to fall hazards.  The second rung near the base of the fixed ladder had been bent downward, thus no longer providing uniform stepping distance for employees climbing down the fixed ladder.

Issued

Mar 3, 2020

Abate by

Apr 17, 2020

Penalty

Initial $10,603 · Current $10,603

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.29(g)(3):  Cages and wells are designed, constructed, and maintained to contain employees in the event of a fall, and to direct them to a lower landing:    The employer is failing to protect employees from fall hazards.  This was most recently documented on December 18, 2019 when the employer did not maintain the ladder cage surrounding a fixed ladder in the Dust Tank area (southeast side of plant by the rails) located at 15662 258th Road, Cummings, Kansas.  Employees climbing the fixed ladder were exposed to fall hazards between 7 to 17 feet from the ground.

Issued

Mar 3, 2020

Abate by

Apr 17, 2020

Penalty

Initial $13,494 · Current $13,494

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:  The employer is failing to protect four contractor employees from electrical shock and electrocution hazards.  This was most recently documented on or about September 6, 2019 when four contractor employees were working inside grain silo bin #258 located at 15662 258th Road, Cummings, Kansas.  The contractor employees were exposed to electrical shock and electrocution hazards while preparing to exit the bin through the new construction opening on the south side of the grain bin silo.  The 3 phase 480 volt power lines, on the outside of the bin, approximately six feet below the construction opening were not de-energized and locked out.  The bin entry permit, prepared by the host employer, certified that the power lines below the construction opening were de-energized.

Issued

Mar 3, 2020

Abate by

Apr 17, 2020

Penalty

Initial $13,494 · Current $13,494

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.  The employer is failing to protect four contractor employees from electrical shock and electrocution hazards.  This was most recently documented on or about September 6, 2019 when four contractor employees were working inside grain silo bin #258 located at 15662 258th Road, Cummings, Kansas.  The contractor employees were exposed to electrical shock and electrocution hazards while preparing to exit the bin through the new construction opening on the south side of the grain bin silo.  The 3 phase 480 volt power lines, on the outside of the bin, approximately six feet below the construction opening were not de-energized and locked out resulting in the electrical shock and electrocution of contract workers performing construction work inside the structure.