OSHA Inspection: GREEN PLAINS WOOD RIVER LLC

Issued

Sep 11, 2023

Abate by

Oct 5, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $15,625

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(b)(6):  In locations where flammable vapors may be present, precautions were not taken to prevent ignition by eliminating or controlling sources of ignition.  Sources of ignition may include open flames, lightning, smoking, hot surfaces, frictional heat, sparks (static, electrical, and mechanical), spontaneous ignition, chemical and physical-chemical reactions, and radiant heat:  On or about April 17, 2023: Employees engaged in tank repairs at the Green Plains Wood River Ethanol Plant located at 140th Rd S, Wood River, Nebraska, were exposed to explosion hazards when using a handheld angle grinder to cut the bolts off the access door located on the top of the whole stillage tank. The grinder sparks ignited residual flammable vapors located in the top of the tank causing a catastrophic explosion, resulting in both employees being thrown from the tank; one employee fatality and the other with serious injuries.

Issued

Sep 11, 2023

Abate by

Oct 5, 2023

Penalty

Initial $11,162 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(a)(2)(ii):  Suitable extinguishing equipment was not maintained in a state of readiness for instant use:  On or about April 17, 2023: Employees engaged in tank repairs at the Green Plains Wood River Ethanol Plant located at 140th Rd S, Wood River, Nebraska, were performing hotwork on the top of a stillage tank.  The employees did not have any type of fire extinguishing equipment near them as they worked.

Issued

Sep 11, 2023

Abate by

Oct 5, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $15,625

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(a)(2)(iv): The individual responsible for authorizing cutting or welding operations did not designate precautions to be followed in granting authorization to proceed preferably in the form of a written permit:  On or about April 17, 2023:  Employees engaged in tank repairs at the Green Plains Wood River Ethanol Plant located at 140th Rd S, Wood River, Nebraska, were exposed to explosion hazards when using a grinder to remove fasteners on the tank. The manager responsible for the cutting operations did not complete the hot work permit by filling out the name of the person performing the hot work,  the name of the person performing fire watch,  and the LEL readings of flammable gas/vapors.