OSHA Inspection: NEBRASKA BEEF, LTD

Issued

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $11,130 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized struck-by hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.  On or about October 30, 2023, at 4501 South 36th St., Omaha, Nebraska the employer failed to protect employees from struck-by hazards.  Two maintenance employees overloaded an electric Dayton Hoist by approximately 115%.  The employees used the hoist to lift and place a drive shaft unit onto a worktable.  The lift was approximately 37 inches.  The Dayton Hoist was rated at 500lbs.  The drive shift unit weighed 575lbs.      AMONG OTHER METHODS, FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHODS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:   i.   Replace the current hoist with a new hoist that is capable of lifting heavier equipment and or material   ii.   Develop, implement, and communicate to employees a written work rule that addresses load limits for the hoist and the proper procedures and practices to be used when lifting and rigging equipment.   iii.   Design training curriculum for employees that includes on job training, skill evaluations, and written evaluation on how to safely rig equipment per manufacturer recommendations and OSHA standards.

Issued

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $11,130 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(14)(i): The employer did not protect each employee on the unprotected working side of a slaughtering facility platform that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level from falling by using one of the systems listed in 29 CFR 1910.28(b)(14)(i)(A)-(B).  On or about January 18, 2024, where the employer had employees engaged in sanitation operations on the harvest floor at the facility located at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107; and were exposed to fall hazards in that during the inspection they were observed working at heights approximately 5 feet 8 inches and were not using any form of fall protection.

Issued

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $11,130 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(c)(3):The employer did not barricade the area into which objects could fall, prohibiting employees form entering the area, and keeping objects far enough away from an edge or opening to prevent them from falling to a lower level:  The employer is failing to protect employees from struck-by hazards in the fabrication department, between the crossover belt from table 1 to table 2 as a result of  meat entering the crossover belt piling up and falling onto table 2. This was most recently documented on or about October 30th, 2023, at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107 Where the employer has an employee operating bandsaw #3 was struck in the back by a rack of ribs forcing his hand into the point of operation of the bandsaw resulting in the amputation of a portion of his index finger.

Issued

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $11,130 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.30(a)(1): The employer did not provide training for each employee who uses personal fall protection systems or who is required to be trained as specified elsewhere in this subpart before any employee is exposed to a fall hazard.   On or about January 18, 2024, where the employer had employees engaged in sanitation operations throughout the facility located at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107; the employer failed to train cleaning employees on the recognition of fall hazards and use of fall protection equipment while exposing them to fall heights greater than 4 feet.

Issued

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $11,130 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii): Procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(A), (c)(4)(ii)(B), (c)(4)(ii)(C) and (c)(4)(ii)(D):   On or about January 18, 2024, Employees engaged in maintenance operations at the facility located at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107 were exposed to hazardous releases of stored energy as a result of improper identification markings for critical components and the Lockout and/or Tag Out (LOTO) procedures did not clearly describe the techniques to be used when isolating hazardous energy. Instances of failures include but are not limited to:     i.   Down Puller One Pneumatic Valve Location:  The LOTO procedure stated that three pneumatic valves were located on the machine was incorrect.  The referenced pneumatic valves were located on a catwalk which requires personnel to leave the harvest floor, climb stairs to the next level up and walk the catwalk to a platform approximately 20-30 feet above the down puller.     ii.  Down Puller One Pneumatic and Bleeder Valve Labeling and Identification:  Three pneumatic and one air bleeder valve was not labeled or otherwise easily identifiable.    iii.  Hide Press Energy Source:  The LOTO procedure failed to recognize gravity for the top plate as an energy source from inside the Hide Press.    iv.  Hide Press Energy Release:  The LOTO procedure failed to identify the location and instruct how to release hydraulic and pneumatic pressure from the bleed valve which was located approximately 30 feet away from the machine, in the basement.

Issued

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct an annual or more frequent inspection of the energy control procedure to ensure that the procedure and requirements of this standard were followed:  On or about October 30, 2023, Employees engaged in maintenance operations at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to electrical, pneumatic, and gravity pressure hazardous energy releases in that the employer did not conduct annual periodic inspections of written specific lockout tagout procedures. The following procedures were documented but not limited to:  i.    An annual periodic inspection was not performed on down puller #1.   ii.   An annual periodic inspection was not performed on the hide press in the basement.   iii.  An annual periodic inspection on bandsaws 1-16 in the fabrication department were not being performed.

Issued

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d)(4)(i): Lockout or tagout devices were not affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees:  On or about January 18, 2024, Employees engaged in maintenance operations at the facility located at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107 were exposed to hazardous releases of stored energy as a result of failure to affix either a lock or a tag to the air valves during isolation efforts.  Every night for the past six months before the inspection maintenance employees perform maintenance activities that require LOTO as means of isolating the hazardous stored energy of the Down Puller One Pneumatic and Bleeder Valve without affixing a lock or a tag to the valve.

Issued

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $7,950 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(e)(1):Alloy steel sling(s) did not have permanently affixed durable identification stating size, grade, rated capacity, and reach:   On or about October 30, 2023, where the employer had employees engaged in maintenance operations in the facility located 4501 South 36th Street Omaha, Nebraska 68107 and exposed to struck-by hazards in that two employees were using an unmarked alloy steel chain with the Electric Dayton Hoist to rig and lift a 575 pound drive shaft in the maintenance shop. The allow steel chain did not have an identification marking or tag listing the chain's maximum lift capacity.

Issued

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $7,950 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(e)(2)(ii):Makeshift links or fasteners formed from bolts or rods, or other such attachments, shall not be used.  On or about October 30, 2023, the employer had employees engaged in maintenance operations at the facility located 4501 South 36th Street Omaha, Nebraska, 68107 and were exposed to struck-by hazards in that two employees were using a standard off the shelf bolt with an unmarked alloy steel chain to rig and lift a 575 pound drive shaft in the maintenance shop. The chain was wrapped around the drive shaft with the bolt securing the two ends of the chain together.

Issued

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $7,950 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(1)(ii): Electrical equipment was not free from recognized hazards, based on the mechanical strength and durability, including, for parts designed to enclose and protect other equipment, the adequacy of the protection thus provided:  On or about October 30, 2023, where the employer had employees engaged in hide processing operations in the basement area of the facility located at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, and were exposed to electrical hazards in that the employees actuated the hide press on/off via switch on the electric box door.  The door was misaligned against the electric box due to broken door hinges.  The misalignment caused a gap between the electric box and door which thereby exposed employees to 7.4 AMPS/ 480/120V/Single and three phase electricity.

Issued

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:  On or about October 30, 2023, where the employer had employees engaged in hide operations in the basement area located at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to electrical hazards in that the employees utilizing the electrical switch for the hide press were exposed to live parts. The electrical box and door were not marked with the required warnings for electrical hazards greater than 50 volts. Missing information includes but is not limited to:   i.   Manufacturer's name ii.  Voltage, current, wattage or other ratings iii. Arc flash warning

Issued

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $7,950 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(b)(2)(i): Pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers approved for the purpose:  On or about October 30, 2023, where the employer had employees engaged in maintenance operations in the ozone cage of the facility located at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, were exposed to electrical shock and fire hazards in that employees were performing maintenance on equipment in the ozone cage and there was a junction box that was missing a face plate and was exposing an energized 480v circuit.

Issued

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,913 · Current $4,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:  On or about October 30, 2023, where the employer had employees engaged in meat processing operations at the facility located 4501 South 36th, Omaha, Nebraska 68107 and were being exposed to fire and electrical hazards on the west wall of the main cooler because the employer was using temporary flexible cord as a substitute for fixed wiring continually for at least six months.  Instances of exposure include but are not limited to:   i.    Flexible cords were zip tied to pipes/conduit in the ozone cage.  ii.   Flexible cords were zip tied to the sprinkler line pipe in boxing area.   iii.  Flexible cords were zip tied to conduit in the cooler.  iv.  Flexible cords in use were supplying power to the reciprocating saws.

Issued

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,913 · Current $4,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(D): Flexible cords were attached to building surfaces:  On or about October 30, 2023, where the employer had employees engaged in meat packing and maintenance operations in the boxing area, cooler, and ozone cage area(s) of the facility, located at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, and were exposed to electrical and fire hazards in that flexible cords were zip tied to various surfaces in the plant.   Instances of exposure include but are not limited to:   i.   Flexible cords were zip tied to pipes/conduit in the ozone cage.  ii.  Flexible cords were zip tied to the sprinkler line pipe in boxing area.   iii. Flexible cords were zip tied to conduit in the cooler.

Issued

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $138,273 · Current $95,000 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:  The employer is failing to protect employees from in running nip point hazards on the kill floor, specifically down puller 1. This was most recently documented on or about October 30th, 2023, at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, where the employer knowingly opens the gate that is designed to prevent employees from making contact with down puller.  The employer opens the gate to allow larger 30-month-old and /or blue cattle to fit into the area for processing.

Issued

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $7,950 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.  The employer failed to report an amputation within the required time frame. This was most recently documented on or about October 30th, 2023, at 4501 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107  On October 20, 2024, the employer had an employee operating bandsaw #3 and was struck in the back by a rack of ribs forcing his hand into the point of operation of the bandsaw resulting in the amputation of a portion of his index finger. The employer failed to report this amputation until October 23, 2024 exceeding the 24 hour requirement under this subpart.