OSHA Inspection: GREEN CIRCLE GROWERS, INC.

Issued

Mar 3, 2020

Abate by

Mar 12, 2020

Penalty

Initial $13,494 · Current $8,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to electrical hazards:    a. Green Circle Growers, Inc. - Oberlin, Ohio: On or about December 6, 2019, employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards in that the air compressor associated with the Plant 4 Young Plant room was powered without a connected ground wire.      b. Green Circle Growers, Inc. - Oberlin, Ohio: On or about January 14, 2020, the employer did not ensure wires entering the electrical junction box, located above the south train's electrical distribution panel, were protected from abrasion and that openings were effectively closed. Employees that operated the train in the Plant 4 Orchid Range were exposed to electrical shock hazards.    c. Green Circle Growers, Inc. - Oberlin, Ohio: On or about January 14, 2020, wires entering the electrical junction box, located in the Plant 4 Orchid Range, above the south train's electrical distribution panel, were not connected to fittings which prevented strain relief.  The flexible cords were pulled from the junction box, exposing employees to electrical shock hazards.      In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Mar 3, 2020

Abate by

Mar 19, 2020

Penalty

Initial $9,639 · Current $5,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to struck-by and pinch-point hazards:    a. Green Circle Growers, Inc. - Oberlin, Ohio: On or about December 6, 2019, the employer did not ensure that employees were protected from hazards associated with the moving crane, located above the Plant 4 Young Plant room.  Maintenance employees who accessed the crane for repair were exposed to pinch point and struck-by hazards in that the crane's energy sources were not isolated prior to accessing the hazard area.    b. Green Circle Growers, Inc. - Oberlin, Ohio: On or about January 7, 2020, the employer did not ensure that employees were protected from hazards associated with moving tables and trains located in the orchid growing range. Employees working in the area to perform tasks such as, but not limited to, repairing wheel brackets on tables and maintaining air filters located under tables, were exposed to crushing injuries in that energy sources were not controlled by employees prior to conducting the maintenance tasks.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Mar 3, 2020

Abate by

Mar 12, 2020

Penalty

Initial $13,494 · Current $8,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to fall hazards.    a. Green Circle Growers, Inc. - Oberlin, Ohio: On or about December 2, 2019, employees working in Plant 4 were exposed to fall hazards of approximately 12-15 feet when accessing the mezzanine/roof of the young plant room and the adjacent stacks of plant tables.  Employees accessed the area for tasks such as, but not limited to, resetting the crane, adjusting the air pressure for the crane's clamping mechanism, and adjusting the water pressure on a tank.      In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.