OSHA Inspection: BISSWANGER FARMS, INC.

Issued

2024-08-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-09-24 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2074.00 · Current $2074.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:  a)  On or about February 7, 2024, inside grain bin #3, the employer did not have a written respiratory protection program for employees required to wear N95 filter facepiece respirators when performing grain storage, cleaning, and drying activities.  b)  On or about February 13, 2024, inside grain bin #4, the employer did not have a written respiratory protection program for employees required to wear N95 filter facepiece respirators when performing grain storage, cleaning, and drying activities.

Issued

2024-08-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-09-24 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:   a) On or about February 7, 2024, inside grain bin #3, employees required to wear N95 filter facepiece respirators when performing grain storage, cleaning, and drying activities were not provided a medical evaluation.  b) On or about February 13, 2024, inside grain bin #4, employees required to wear N95 filter facepiece respirators when performing grain storage, cleaning, and drying activities were not provided a medical evaluation.

Issued

2024-08-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-09-24 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator:  a) On or about February 7, 2024, inside grain bin #3, employees required to wear N95 filter facepiece respirators when performing grain storage, cleaning, and drying activities were not fit tested prior to initial use.  b) On or about February 13, 2024, inside grain bin #4, employees required to wear N95 filter facepiece respirators when performing grain storage, cleaning, and drying activities were not fit tested prior to initial use.

Issued

2024-08-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-09-24 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each employee could demonstrate knowledge of why the respirator was necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance could compromise the protective effect of the respirator:  a)  On or about February 7, 2024, inside grain bin #3, the employer did not have a written respiratory protection program for employees required to wear N95 filter facepiece respirators when performing grain storage, cleaning, and drying activities.  b)  On or about February 13, 2024, inside grain bin #4, the employer did not have a written respiratory protection program for employees required to wear N95 filter facepiece respirators when performing grain storage, cleaning, and drying activities.

Issued

2024-08-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-09-03 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4839.00 · Current $4839.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(e)(1)(ii): Current employees, and new employees prior to starting work in the grain handling facility were not trained in the specific procedures and safety practices applicable to their job tasks including but not limited to cleaning procedures for grinding equipment, clearing procedures for choked legs, housekeeping procedures, hot work procedures, preventive maintenance procedures and lock-out/tag-out procedures:   On or about February 7, 2024, inside grain bin #3, employees were performing work activities such as, but not limited to shoveling rice did not receive training on general safety precautions, including recognition and preventive measures for the hazard related to lock-out/tag-out and, bin entry procedures.

Issued

2024-08-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-09-03 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3457.00 · Current $3457.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(i): The employer did not issue a permit for entering bins, silos or tanks in the grain handling facility before the employees entered the bins, silos, or tanks:  On or about February 7, 2024, inside grain bin #3, the employer did not issue an entry permit prior to employees entering the storage bin to perform housekeeping activities such as, but not limited to shoveling rice.

Issued

2024-08-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-08-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4839.00 · Current $4839.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(ii):  Prior to entry, all mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment which presented a danger to employees inside grain storage structures in the grain handling facility were not disconnected, locked out and tagged, blocked-off, or otherwise prevented from operating by other equally effective means or methods:  On or about February 7, 2024, inside grain bin #3, employees performing work activities such as, but not limited to shoveling rice did not de-energize the equipment and machinery prior to entering the storage bin.

Issued

2024-08-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-09-03 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3457.00 · Current $3457.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(3): In the grain handling facility an observer, equipped to provide assistance, was not stationed outside the bin, silo, or tank being entered by an employee:   On or about February 13, 2024, inside grain bin #3, employees performing housekeeping activities were not protected from bin entry hazards.  The employer did not keep an observer stationed outside of the grain bin to monitor the entrant.

Issued

2024-08-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-09-03 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2765.00 · Current $2765.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief was provided that would prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws:  On or about February 7, 2024, in the grain bin area, employees were using a Hutchinson portable grain pump that was receiving power from a flexible cord that had the outer insulation pulled from the attachment plug,