OSHA Inspection: FERMENTATIONEXPERTS USA, LLC

Issued

Jan 4, 2024

Abate by

Jan 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,875 · Current $6,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Point of operation guards were not designed and constructed as to prevent the operator from having any part of their body in the danger zone during the operating cycle:  (a)Fermentationexperts USA, LLC at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107:  On or about and at times prior to August 15, 2023, the employer did not ensure guarding was in place on the Jet Drill Press, model number JDF-20MF, serial number 354170 within the Fermentation Room and Bagging Area.  This condition exposed employees to amputation hazards associated with the unguarded point of operation.

Issued

Jan 4, 2024

Abate by

Jan 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,875 · Current $6,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(h)(1): Projecting keys, setscrews, or other projections in revolving parts were not removed, made flush, or guarded by metal covers:  (a)Fermentationexperts USA, LLC at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107:  On or about and at times prior to August 15, 2023, the employer did not ensure two spinning drive mechanisms with projecting set screws on the Bagging Station conveyor belt system equipment in the Bagging Area were guarded.  This condition exposed employees to caught-in hazards associated with the unguarded drive mechanism.  (b)Fermentationexperts USA, LLC at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107:  On or about and at times prior to August 15, 2023, the employer did not ensure a spinning drive mechanism with projecting bolt heads on the Surge Drag equipment in the Basement Area were guarded.  This condition exposed employees to caught-in hazards associated with the unguarded drive mechanism.

Issued

Jan 4, 2024

Abate by

Jan 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $5,156 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(i): Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings were not effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment:  (a)Fermentationexperts USA, LLC at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107:  On or about and at times prior to August 15, 2023, the employer did not ensure that electrical equipment was effectively closed, in that employees were exposed to live electrical circuits associated with a missing knockout on the electrical junction box on the Tale Auger conduit line in the Drying Area.  This condition exposed employees to shock and electrocution as well as fire hazards associated with exposed wiring on the electrical boxes.  (b)Fermentationexperts USA, LLC at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107:  On or about and at times prior to August 15, 2023, the employer did not ensure that electrical equipment was effectively closed, in that employees were exposed to live electrical circuits associated with a missing knockout on the power panel in the MCC Room.  This condition exposed employees to shock and electrocution as well as fire hazards associated with exposed wiring on the electrical boxes.

Issued

Jan 4, 2024

Abate by

Jan 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $24,063 · Current $15,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:  (a)Fermentationexperts USA, LLC at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107:  On or about and at times prior to August 15, 2023, the employer did not ensure the Incline Drag Conveyor on the second level of the facility was guarded.  This condition exposed employees to caught-in and amputation hazards associated with the unguarded drag conveyor.  Fermentationexperts USA, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1585438, citation number 1, item number 4a, and was affirmed as a final order on October 3, 2022, with respect to a workplace located at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107.

Issued

Jan 4, 2024

Abate by

Jan 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $24,063 · Current $15,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulleys with parts seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):  (a)Fermentationexperts USA, LLC at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107:  On or about and at times prior to August 15, 2023, the employer did not ensure adequate guarding was in place on the Exbinner Machine within the Drying Area, in that the belt and pulley system were open and not adequately guarded.  This condition exposed employees to caught-in hazards associated with the unguarded belt and pulley.  (b)Fermentationexperts USA, LLC at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107:  On or about and at times prior to August 15, 2023, the employer did not ensure adequate guarding was in place on the Dryer Stirring Machine within the Drying Area, in that the belt and pulley system was open.  This condition exposed employees to caught-in hazards associated with the unguarded belt and pulley.  (c)Fermentationexperts USA, LLC at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107:  On or about and at times prior to August 15, 2023, the employer did not ensure adequate guarding was in place on a belt and pulley system on the Chocolate Wagon in the Cookie Room, in that the north side of the belt and pulley system were open and not fully guarded.  This condition exposed employees to caught-in hazards associated with the unguarded belt and pulley.  (d)Fermentationexperts USA, LLC at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107:  On or about and at times prior to August 15, 2023, the employer did not ensure adequate guarding was in place on the end of the Incline Drag Conveyor Auger system on the second floor, in that the belt and pulley system were open and not fully guarded.  This condition exposed employees to caught-in hazards associated with the unguarded belt and pulley.  (e)Fermentationexperts USA, LLC at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107:  On or about and at times prior to August 15, 2023, the employer did not ensure adequate guarding was in place on the end of the grain leg motor and flywheel system on the top exterior of the 917/918 bin, in that the belt and pulley system were open and not fully guarded.  This condition exposed employees to caught-in hazards associated with the unguarded belt and pulley.  Fermentationexperts USA, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1585438, citation number 1, item number 4d, and was affirmed as a final order on October 3, 2022, with respect to a workplace located at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107.

Issued

Jan 4, 2024

Abate by

Jan 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $13,751 · Current $12,000 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:  (a)Fermentationexperts USA, LLC at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107:  On or about and at times prior to August 15, 2023, the employer did not ensure that missing electrical equipment was replaced in that a light switch cover plate on the sixth floor was not installed.  This condition exposed employees to shock and electrocution hazards associated with the missing cover plate.  (b)Fermentationexperts USA, LLC at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107:  On or about and at times prior to August 15, 2023, the employer did not ensure that missing electrical equipment was replaced in that a junction box cover plate in the stairwell between the fifth and sixth floor was not installed.  This condition exposed employees to shock and electrocution hazards associated with the missing cover plate.  Fermentationexperts USA, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1585438, citation number 1, item number 8a, and was affirmed as a final order on October 3, 2022, with respect to a workplace located at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107.

Issued

Jan 4, 2024

Abate by

Jan 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv): Flexible cords and/ or cables were used for purposes prohibited by paragraphs (A) through (F) of 29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv):  (a)Fermentationexperts USA, LLC at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107:  On or about and at times prior to August 15, 2023, the employer allowed for extension cords to be utilized in the 900 Room in place of permanent wiring and routed through walls and openings.  This condition exposed employees to shock hazards associated with improper use of electrical equipment.  (b)Fermentationexperts USA, LLC at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107:  On or about and at times prior to August 15, 2023, the employer allowed for extension cords to be utilized in the ceiling of the Fermentation Room in place of permanent wiring and routed along the ceiling to serve as a power source.  This condition exposed employees to shock hazards associated with improper use of electrical equipment.  Fermentationexperts USA, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1585438, citation number 1, item number 8b, and was affirmed as a final order on October 3, 2022, with respect to a workplace located at 1201 North Ellis Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107.