OSHA Inspection: MARIBEL GRAIN COMPANY

Issued

Dec 21, 2022

Abate by

Mar 31, 2023

Penalty

Initial $3,108 · Current $2,176 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.23(b)(9): Ladders are inspected before initial use in each work shift, and more frequently as necessary, to identify any visible defects that could cause employee injury:   On or about July 8, 2022, at a workplace located at 14906 Maribel Road, Maribel, Wisconsin at the Feed Mill: The ladder installed inside Feed Bin 10W was not inspected prior to use to ensure the ladder's condition and/or construction permitted adequate foot placement to prevent employees exposure to a fall hazard.

Issued

Dec 21, 2022

Abate by

Mar 31, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.23(b)(13): No employee carries any object or load that could cause the employee to lose balance and fall while climbing up or down the ladder:   On or about July 8, 2022, at a workplace located at 14906 Maribel Road, Maribel, Wisconsin at the Feed Mill: An employee, while descending and ascending the fixed wooden ladder installed inside Feed Bin 10W, was carrying a 10 ft. metal rod/pipe, potentially exposing the employee to a fall hazard.

Issued

Dec 21, 2022

Abate by

Mar 31, 2023

Penalty

Initial $3,108 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.23(d)(2): The minimum perpendicular distance from the centerline of the steps or rungs, or grab bars, or both, to the nearest permanent object in back of the ladder is 7 inches (18 cm), except for elevator pit ladders, which have a minimum perpendicular distance of 4.5 inches (11 cm);    On or about July 8, 2022, at a workplace located at 14903 Maribel Road, Maribel, Wisconsin inside the Feed Mill: The fixed wooden ladder installed inside of the Feed Bin 10W was constructed of two x four inch boards attached to the side of the bin, permitting less than 7 inches of clearance between the centerline of ladder rungs and side of the bin. Employees had to step sideways on the ladder rungs while ascending and descending the ladder.

Issued

Dec 21, 2022

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $3,108 · Current $2,176 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.272(g)(1)(i): The employer shall issue a permit for entering bins, silos, or tanks unless the employer or the employer's representative (who would otherwise authorize the permit) is present during the entire operation. The permit shall certify that the precautions contained in this paragraph (1910.272(g)) have been implemented prior to employees entering bins, silos or tanks. The permit shall be kept on file until completion of the entry operations:  On or about July 8, 2022, at a workplace located at 14906 N Maribel Road, Maribel, WI within the Feed Mill: The employer failed to issue a permit prior to permitting employee(s) from entering Feed Mill Bin 10W. Employees were exposed to potential atmosphere hazards, engulfment and/or fall hazards while entering and working within the feed bin.

Issued

Dec 21, 2022

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.272(g)(1)(iii): The atmosphere within a bin, silo, or tank shall be tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors, and toxic agents when the employer has reason to believe they may be present. Additionally, the atmosphere within a bin, silo, or tank shall be tested for oxygen content unless there is continuous natural air movement or continuous forced-air ventilation before and during the period employees are inside. If the oxygen level is less than 19.5%, or if combustible gas or vapor is detected in excess of 10% of the lower flammable limit, or if toxic agents are present in excess of the ceiling values listed in Subpart Z of 29 CFR Part 1910, or if toxic agents are present in concentrations that will cause health effects which prevent employees from effecting self-rescue or communication to obtain assistance, the following provisions apply:   On or about July 8, 2022, at a workplace located at 14906 N Maribel Road, Maribel, WI within the Feed Mill: the atmosphere with Bin 10W was not tested for the presence of a hazardous atmosphere prior to an employee entering the bin exposing the employee to asphyxiation hazard from bridged and/or crusted feed condition(s).

Issued

Dec 21, 2022

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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.  On or about July 8, 2022, at a workplace located 14906 Maribel Road, Maribel, WI in the Feed Mill Bins: Employees attempting to clear bridged and/or crusted feed in Bin 10W were potentially exposed to an engulfment hazard while positioned on the bin ladder and/or the corner brackets constructed of 2x4s, while attempting to clear clogged and/or bridged feed.

Issued

Dec 21, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,108 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.39(a)(2): Basic Requirement. Within twenty-four (24) hours after the in-patient hospitalization of one or more employees or an employee's amputation or an employee's loss of an eye, as a result of a work-related incident, you must report the in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye to OSHA:   On or about July 11, 2022, at a workplace located at 14906 Maribel Road, Maribel, Wisconsin: The employer did not report a work-related hospitalization within twenty-four (24) hours after the in-patient hospitalization of one employee occurred to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).