OSHA Inspection: ALBANY FARMS, INC.

Issued

Jul 10, 2024

Abate by

Aug 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,292 · Current $6,775 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Points of operation of machinery were not guarded or guards were not designed and constructed to prevent employees from having any part of their body in the danger zones during operating cycles:   (a)Albany Farms Inc. at 1125 Bonanza Street, Belle Fourche, SD 57717: On or about and at times prior to January 23, 2024, the employer did not ensure that the points of operation on the rollers of the sheeting/thinning machine on the non-cupped/pouch ramen production line were properly guarded to prevent employees from having any part of their body in the danger zone during  machine operations. This condition exposed employees to caught-in and amputation hazards and resulted in an employee injury.  (b)Albany Farms Inc. at 1125 Bonanza Street, Belle Fourche, SD 57717: On or about and at times prior to January 23, 2024, the employer did not ensure that the points of operation on the knifing system at the end of the sheeting/thinning machine on the non-cupped/pouch ramen production line were properly guarded to prevent employees from having any part of their body in the danger zone during  machine operations. This condition exposed employees to caught-in and amputation hazards.  (c)Albany Farms Inc. at 1125 Bonanza Street, Belle Fourche, SD 57717: On or about and at times prior to January 23, 2024, the employer did not ensure that the points of operation on the heat sealing system on the  cupped ramen production line were properly guarded to prevent employees from having any part of their body in the danger zone during  machine operations. This condition exposed employees to caught-in and amputation hazards.  (d)Albany Farms Inc. at 1125 Bonanza Street, Belle Fourche, SD 57717: On or about and at times prior to January 23, 2024, the employer did not ensure that the points of operation on the flour bin on the flour hopper on the second floor of the non-cupped/pouch ramen production line were properly guarded to prevent employees from having any part of their body in the danger zone during  machine operations. This condition exposed employees to caught-in and amputation hazards.

Issued

Jul 10, 2024

Abate by

Aug 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(f)(1): Gear(s) were not guarded by a complete enclosure or by one of the methods specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(f)(1)(ii) and (f)(1)(iii):   (a)Albany Farms Inc. at 1125 Bonanza Street, Belle Fourche, SD 57717: On or about and at times prior to January 23, 2024, the employer did not ensure that employees were protected from rotating parts and pinch points less than seven feet from the floor, in that guards were not installed over gears of the sheeting/thinning machine near the knifing system at the end of the non-cupped/pouch ramen production line.  This condition exposed employees to caught-in and amputation hazards.

Issued

Jul 10, 2024

Abate by

Aug 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,839 · Current $3,800 Reduced

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)Albany Farms Inc. at 1125 Bonanza Street, Belle Fourche, SD 57717: On or about and at times prior to January 23, 2024, the employer used flexible cords and/or cables as a substitute for the fixed wiring in that extension cords were being used to power fans used for employee heat relief throughout the production floor.  This condition exposed  employees to electrical shock hazards as well as fire hazards.

Issued

Jul 10, 2024

Abate by

Aug 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.334(a)(2)(ii): There was a defect or evidence of damage that could have exposed an employee to injury and the defective or damaged item was not removed from service and an employee was using it before repairs and tests necessary to render the equipment safe were made:  (a)Albany Farms Inc. at 1125 Bonanza Street, Belle Fourche, SD 57717: On or about and at times prior to January 23, 2024, the employer did not ensure that employees were protected from electrical shock in that an extension cord used to power fans on the production floor was damaged, improperly repaired, and not removed from service.  This condition exposed employees to shock and burn hazards.