OSHA Inspection: HEARTLAND FARMS, INC.

Issued

Apr 1, 2021

Abate by

Jun 15, 2021

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $13,653

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  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 walking and working near agricultural vehicular traffic were exposed to struck-by and crushing hazards presented by trucks which were unloading potatoes:  Potato hauling trucks unloaded potatoes onto conveyor systems at storage bins. The trucks backed up to the conveyor with assistance from a spotter.  After emptying the load, the truck driver received hand signals from the spotter and would drive forward and exit the area. On October 5, 2020, at a facility located at 907 3rd Avenue, Hancock, WI 51943; a truck completed unloading potatoes at storage bin H-27 and drove forward. The truck struck and crushed an employee who had walked in front of the truck resulting in a fatality. The employer did not protect employees from the struck-by and crushing hazards presented by the truck driving forward after unloading potatoes at storage bins.