OSHA Inspection: NEBRASKA BEEF, LTD

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $11,162 · Current $8,372 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(3): The employer did not ensure that walking-working surfaces are maintained free of hazards such as sharp or protruding objects, loose boards, corrosion, leaks, spills, snow, and ice.  Employees engaged in material handling and distribution operations at 4410 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to falling and tripping hazards in that two protruding "L" shaped steel bars were bolted on two sides of a hole in the floor of the swing dock area adjacent to where exposed employees park the powered industrial trucks.

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(ii): Each employee is protected from tripping into or stepping into or through any hole that is less than 4 feet (1.2 m) above a lower level by covers or guardrail systems;   Employees engaged in material handling and distribution operations at 4410 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to falling and tripping hazards.  An elongated-curved hole around a pillar located in the swing dock area adjacent to the powered industrial truck parking was not protected to prevent employees tripping or stepping into the hole.

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $13,394 · Current $10,046 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(c): The employer did not provide, and ensure each employee uses, a safe means of access and egress to and from walking-working surfaces.  Employees engaged in material handling and distribution operations at 4410 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to fall hazards in that employees were using an inadequate stairwell system at the swing dock area for access and egress of the facility. The unstable stairwell system was not equipped with handrails/guardrails and three of the four vertical stanchions supporting the stairwell system were resting on unsecured wood blocks.

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(11)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each flight of stairs having at least 3 treads and at least 4 risers is equipped with stair rail systems and handrails as described in 29 CFR 1910.28 Table D-2-Stairway Handrail Requirements.  Employees engaged in material handling and distribution operations at 4410 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to fall hazards in that employees were using an inadequate stairwell system at the swing dock area for access and egress of the facility.  The stairwell system was not equipped with handrails/guardrails.

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $11,719 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:  Employees engaged in maintenance operations at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to electrical and hydraulic hazardous energy releases in that employer failed to develop and implement written specific lockout tagout procedures for the hydraulic dock leveler plates/enclosures.  Instances of failure include but are not limited to:  a). DOCK 1 - SN # HD19657 CONTROL BOX 7152 SN # 00004 b). DOCK 2 - SN # HD19658 CONTROL BOX 7513 SN # 00008 c). DOCK 3 - SN # HD19659 CONTROL BOX 7154 SN # 00009 d). DOCK 4 - SN # HD19660 CONTROL BOX 7155 SN # 00010 e). DOCK 5 - SN # HD19661 CONTROL BOX 7156 SN # 00011 f). DOCK 6 - SN # HD19662 CONTROL BOX 7157 SN # 00012 g). DOCK 7 - SN # HD19663 CONTROL BOX 7158 SN # 00013 h). DOCK 8 - SN # HD19664 CONTROL BOX 7159 SN # 00014 i). DOCK 9 - SN # HD19665 CONTROL BOX 7160 SN # 00015 j). DOCK 10 - SN # HD19666 CONTROL BOX 7161 SN # 00016 k). DOCK 11 - SN # HD19667 CONTROL BOX 7162 SN # 00017 l). DOCK 12 - SN # HD19668 CONTROL BOX 7163 SN # 00019

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Abate by

Jan 16, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,162 · Current $8,372 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed.  Employees engaged in maintenance operations at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to electrical and air pressure hazardous energy releases in that the employer did not conduct annual periodic inspections of written specific lockout tagout procedures of the FA630 #20 box machine prior to employees preforming maintenance repairs.

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $11,162 · Current $8,372 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c):Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.  Employees engaged in material handling and distribution operations in the Swing Dock Area located at 4410 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to corrosive hazards in that the employees were servicing the forklift batteries by adding water to batteries with acid without having an eyewash or quick drenching facility readily available in the event of splashing.  The nearest adequate eye wash station was located at the main facility across the road.

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(g)(2): Battery changing and charging installations for industrial trucks were not provided with facilities for flushing and neutralizing spilled electrolyte:  Employees engaged in material handling and distribution operations in the Swing Dock Area located at 4410 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to chemical burn hazards in that employees were not provided with a spill kit for flushing and neutralizing chemical spills related to servicing forklift batteries.

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Abate by

Jan 16, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

1910.178(g)(7):  When charging batteries, acid shall be poured into water; water shall not be poured into acid.  Employees engaged in material handling and distribution operations at 4410 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, Swing Dock Area, were exposed to chemical hazards in that employees were servicing the forklift batteries by adding water to batteries already containing acid.

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $13,394 · Current $10,046 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l):  Employees engaged in material handling and distribution activities at the locations listed below were exposed to struck-by and crushing hazards due to the employer failing to provide training and evaluation as outlined in the standard:    1)  Main Shipping Area located at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107.    2)  Swing Dock Area located at 4410 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107.

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $8,929 · Current $6,697 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1)(ii): Mechanical strength and durability, including, for parts designed to enclose and protect other equipment, the adequacy of the protection thus provided;  Employees engaged in distribution operations in the Main Shipping Area located at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to electrical hazards in that the employees utilizing the electrical switch for dock leveler number 2 were exposed to live parts.  The door on the electrical box was damaged creating a gap exposing the live parts within.  This door was fabricated in house to replace the manufacturers original equipment.

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Installation and use. Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling.  Employees engaged in distribution operations in the Main Shipping Area located at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to electrical hazards in that the employees utilizing the electrical switch for dock leveler number 2 were exposed to live parts.  The door was fabricated in house to replace the manufacturers original equipment and did not have any listing or labeling.

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $13,394 · Current $10,046 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i):Each outlet box in completed installations did not have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy:  Employees engaged in material handling and distribution operations in the Main Shipping Area located at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to electrical shock and fire hazards in that employees were using a 120-volt outlet without faceplate between door docks # 4-5 to power their glue gun.

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,696 · Current $5,022 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(iii)(D):  The raceway is sealed or plugged at the outer end using approved means so as to prevent access to the enclosure through the raceway;  Employees engaged in material handling and distribution operations in the Main Shipping area located at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to electrical and fire hazards in that the raceways were not sealed or plugged. Instances of exposure include but are not limited to:   a.	The top conduit entering dock leveler enclosure #1 was not sealed or plugged.  b.	The top conduit entering dock leveler enclosure #12 was not sealed or plugged.  c.	The top conduit entering dock leveler enclosure #7 was not sealed or plugged.  d.	The signal light between #6-7 docks was not sealed or plugged.  e.	The signal light between docks #4-5 was not sealed or plugged.

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(iii)(F): The raceway is fastened at its outer end and at other points as necessary;  Employees engaged in material handling and distribution operations in the Main Shipping Area located at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to electrical and fire hazards in that the raceways were not fastened at its outer end and other points. Instances of exposure include but are not limited to:   a.	The top conduit entering dock leveler enclosure #1 was not fastened at its outer end.  b.	The top conduit entering dock leveler enclosure #12 was not fastened at its outer end.  c.	The top conduit entering dock leveler enclosure #7 was not fastened at its outer end.  d.	The signal light between #6-7 docks was not fastened at its outer end.  e.	The signal light between docks #4-5 was not fastened at its outer end.

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,696 · Current $5,022 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(D): Flexible cords and/or cables in use were attached to building surfaces;  Employees engaged in material handling and distribution operations in the Main Shipping Area located at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to electrical and fire hazards in that the extension cord plugged in to a 120-volt outlet was zip tied to the electrical conduit located in the main shipping department, dock #12.

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,696 · Current $5,022 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(i): Portable cord and plug connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) shall be visually inspected before use on any shift for external defects (such as loose parts, deformed and missing pins, or damage to outer jacket or insulation) and for evidence of possible internal damage (such as pinched or crushed outer jacket). Cord and plug connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) which remain connected once they are put in place and are not exposed to damage need not be visually inspected until they are relocated.  Employees engaged in material handling and distribution operations in the Main Shipping Area of the facility located at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to electrical and fire hazards in that the employer failed to conduct inspections of flexible cord supplying power to equipment within the facility.  Instances include but are not limited to:  1. A damaged flexible cord running from a 120v outlet and supplying power to the 30" heavy duty drum fan near Dock #1.    2. A flexible cord running from a 120v outlet and supplying power to battery station located on the opposite side of Dock #12.

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Abate by

Jan 16, 2024

Penalty

Initial $156,259 · Current $117,194 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i)(A): By location in a room, vault, or similar enclosure that is accessible only to qualified persons.  The employer is failing to protect employees from electrocution hazards associated with unqualified employees accessing energized hydraulic dock leveler enclosures #1-12 when performing material handling and distribution operations in the shipping department. This was most recently documented on or about August 1st, 2023, at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68107.

Issued

Dec 18, 2023

Abate by

Jan 16, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.332(b)(2): Employees, who were not qualified persons, were not trained in and familiar with any electrically related safety practices not specifically addressed by 29 CFR 1910.331 through 29 CFR 1910.335, but which were necessary for their safety:  The employer is failing to protect employees from electrocution hazards associated with untrained employees accessing energized hydraulic dock leveler enclosures #1-12 when performing material handling and distribution operations in the shipping department. This was most recently documented on or about August 1st, 2023, at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68107.  The employer failed to ensure the employees accessing the manual override switch located within the hydraulic dock leveler enclosures without having been instructed or trained in the recognition of the hazards associated with working on or around energized electrical circuits or equipment and the methods to mitigate those hazards.