OSHA Inspection: FARMERS ELEVATOR CO. OF MANTENO

Issued

Jun 2, 2020

Abate by

Jul 20, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,398 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:  a. On or about January 8, 2020, at the above worksite, the employer failed to ensure an energy control procedure was developed and documented for the control of hazardous energy when an employee was engaged in a service and/or maintenance task, thereby exposing employees to hazards associated with unexpected re-energization of equipment such as feeder legs, gates, and conveyors.

Issued

Jun 2, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(ii): Prior to 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 January 8, 2020, at the above addressed worksite, the employer did not ensure employees were protected from bin entry hazards. The bin gates and conveyors on bin #14 were not locked out or otherwise prevented from operating, thereby exposing the employees inside grain storage bin to engulfment hazards.

Issued

Jun 2, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,398 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(iii): The atmosphere within a bin, silo, or tank in the grain handling facility was not tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors, and toxic agents prior to employee entry.  a. On January 8, 2020, at the above addressed worksite, the employer did not ensure that employees who entered grain storage bin #14 were protected from bin entry hazards in that, the atmosphere was not tested prior to allowing employees to enter the bin, thereby exposing employees to hazards associated with a hazardous atmosphere.

Issued

Jun 2, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,398 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(3): In the grain handling facility an observer, equipped to provide assistance, was not stationed outside the bin, silo, or tank being entered by an employee:  a. On January 8, 2020, at the above addressed worksite, employees who entered grain storage bin #14 were not protected from bin entry hazards because an observer equipped to provide assistance in an emergency, was not always stationed outside the bin entered by employees.

Issued

Jun 2, 2020

Abate by

Jul 20, 2020

Penalty

Initial $134,937 · Current $97,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(b)(2): Ladder rungs, steps, and cleats are spaced not less than 10 inches (25 cm) and not more than 14 inches (36 cm) apart, as measured between the centerlines of the rungs, cleats, and steps, except that:   a. On January 8, 2020, at the above addressed worksite, employees working inside of the bin #14 were exposed to fall hazards when climbing the fixed ladder inside the bin. The ladder rungs were spaced approximately 24 inches apart, thereby exposing employees to hazards associated with falls.

Issued

Jun 2, 2020

Penalty

Initial $53,975 · Current $40,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(iv): The employer did not prohibit  "walking down grain" and similar practices where the employee walks on grain to make it flow within or out from a grain storage structure, or where an employee is on moving grain:  a. On January 8, 2020, at the above addressed worksite, the employer failed to prohibit walking down the grain and similar practices when requiring employees to enter bin #14 to break up grain inside of the bin to allow the grain to flow, thereby exposing employees to engulfment hazards.

Issued

Jun 2, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(2): When entering the grain handling facility bins, silos, or tanks from the top, employees did not wear a body harness with lifeline, or use a boatswain's chair that met the requirements of Subpart D, 29 CFR 1910.28(j)(a).  a. On January 8, 2020, at the above addressed worksite, the employer did not ensure that employees who entered grain storage bin #14 to conduct cleaning operations were provided with harnesses and lifelines, thereby exposing employees to hazards associated with engulfment and suffocation.

Issued

Jun 2, 2020

Abate by

Jun 8, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(4): The employer did not provide equipment for rescue operations, which was specifically suited for the bin, silo, or tank being entered:  a. On January 8, 2020, at the above addressed worksite, the employer did not ensure that employees who entered grain storage bin #14 were provided rescue equipment. Thereby exposing employees to hazards associated with a grain bin entry.