OSHA Inspection: KALMBACH FEEDS, INC.

Issued

Apr 15, 2024

Abate by

Jun 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,445 · Current $12,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(2): The employer did not ensure that the minimum perpendicular distance from the centerline of the steps or rungs, or grab bars, or both, to the nearest permanent object in back of the ladder is 7 inches (18 cm), except for elevator pit ladders, which have a minimum perpendicular distance of 4.5 inches (11 cm).  a. Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. - Upper Sandusky, Ohio: On or about January 22, 2024, employees who climbed the fixed ladder used to access the Mix Line #2 Landing, Distributor, and Whirley platforms were exposed to fall hazards in that at least seven inches of space was not maintained between the back of the ladder and permanent objects such as guardrails/toeboards.  b. Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. - Upper Sandusky, Ohio: On or about January 22, 2024, employees who climbed the fixed ladder to access the Mix Line #2 2-Way platform were exposed to fall hazards in that at least seven inches of space was not maintained between the back of the ladder and permanent objects such as guardrails/toeboards.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 15, 2024

Abate by

Jun 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(12)(ii): The employer did not ensure that the step-across distance from the centerline of the rungs or steps for side-step ladders, is not less than 15 inches (38 cm) and not more than 20 inches (51 cm) to the access points of the platform edge.  a. Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. - Upper Sandusky, Ohio:  On or about January 22, 2024, the step-across distance from a fixed ladder did not ensure a safe transition from the ladder to the 2-Way platform located at Mix Line #2, in that the step-across distance was 12.75 inches.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 15, 2024

Abate by

Jun 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,445 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(13)(i): The employer did not ensure that fixed ladders that do not have cages or wells have a clear width of at least 15 inches (38 cm) on each side of the ladder centerline to the nearest permanent object.  a. Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. - Upper Sandusky, Ohio: On or about January 22, 2024, a clear width of at least 15 inches on each side of the fixed ladder used to access the Mix Line #2 2-Way platform was not maintained in that the distance from the centerline of the rung to the fixed platform edge was 12.75 inches.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 15, 2024

Abate by

Jun 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(13)(ii): The employer did not ensure that fixed ladders that do not have cages or wells have a minimum perpendicular distance of 30 inches (76 cm) from the centerline of the steps or rungs to the nearest object on the climbing side. Or, when unavoidable obstructions are encountered, a minimum clearance at the obstruction of 24 inches (61 cm), provided deflector plates are installed.  a. Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. - Upper Sandusky, Ohio:  On or about January 22, 2024, a clear width of at least 30 inches on the climbing side of the fixed ladder used to access the Mix Line #2 2-Way platform was not maintained in that the distance from the centerline of the rung to the fixed platform edge was approximately 24 3/8 inches.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 15, 2024

Abate by

Apr 22, 2024

Penalty

Initial $14,518 · Current $14,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(iv):  The employer did not provide that each employee be protected from falling into a ladderway floor hole or ladderway platform hole by a guardrail system and toe-boards erected on all exposed sides, except at the entrance to the hole, where a self-closing gate or an offset must be used.  a. Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. - Upper Sandusky, Ohio:  On or about January 22, 2024, the employer did not ensure that the ladderway platform hole, located on the Whirley platform of Mix Line #2, was guarded to protect employees from fall hazards of approximately 18 feet and ten inches.  b. Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. - Upper Sandusky, Ohio: On or about January 22, 2024, the employer did not ensure that the ladderway platform hole, located on the distributor platform of Mix Line #2, was guarded to protect employees from fall hazards of approximately nine feet and ten inches.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 15, 2024

Abate by

Jun 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,445 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(v):  The employer did not ensure that each employee is protected from falling through a hatchway and chute floor-hole by one of the methods listed in 29 CFR 1910.28(b)(v)(A)-(C):  a. Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. - Upper Sandusky, Ohio:  On or about January 22, 2024, the employer did not ensure that the hatchway, located on the 2-Way platform of Mix Line #2, was guarded to protect employees from fall hazards of approximately six feet and four inches.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.