OSHA Inspection: SANDY BAY MINK RANCH, LLC

Issued

Sep 12, 2024

Abate by

Oct 10, 2024

Penalty

Initial $5,531 · Current $2,765 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).  On or about May 2, 2024, at an establishment located at 2228 Cherney Road in Mishicot, Wisconsin; the employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present, or likely to be present, which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as, but not limited to, hand, skin, face, and eye protection while processing bovine carcasses.

Issued

Sep 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.133(a)(1): The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.   On or about May 2, 2024, at an establishment located at 2228 Cherney Road in Mishicot, Wisconsin; the employer did not ensure that employees processing bovine carcasses used appropriate eye and face protection when exposed to projectiles such as, but not limited to, bovine fluids and bone shards.

Issued

Sep 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): General requirements. Employers shall select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.   On or about May 2, 2024, at an establishment located at 2228 Cherney Road in Mishicot, Wisconsin; the employer did not select, provide, and require employees to use appropriate hand protection while processing bovine carcasses, exposing employee hands to severe cuts and lacerations from knives.

Issued

Sep 12, 2024

Abate by

Oct 10, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,452 · Current $3,226 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be 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.   At an establishment located at 2228 Cherney Road in Mishicot, Wisconsin:  a) On or about May 2, 2024, in the mink food mixer room, employees were exposed to amputation and entanglement hazards created by the unguarded transfer screw conveyor downstream of the mink feed mixer. The machine was not effectively guarded on the intake and discharge chutes to prevent exposure to these hazards.  b) On or about May 2, 2024, in the mink food mixer room, employees were exposed to amputation and entanglement hazards created by the unguarded impeller on the back of the hydraulic motor powering the hydraulic discharge gate on the mink feed mixer. The machine was not effectively guarded to prevent exposure to these hazards.  c) On or about May 2, 2024, in the mink food mixer room, employees were exposed to amputation and entanglement hazards created by the unguarded discharge screw conveyor on the mink feed homogenizer. The machine was not effectively guarded at the intake chute to prevent exposure to these hazards.  d) On or about May 2, 2024, in the deboning area, employees were exposed to amputation and entanglement hazards created by the two unguarded chain winches used to pull bovine carcasses into the room and to remove the hides. The machines were not effectively guarded on the chain spool to prevent exposure to these hazards.  e) On or about May 2, 2024, to May 8, 2024, in the pet food processing area, employees were exposed to amputation and entanglement hazards created by the unguarded transfer screw conveyor downstream of the pet food mixer. The machine was not effectively guarded at the intake chute to prevent exposure to these hazards.

Issued

Sep 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprockets and chains. All sprocket wheels and chains shall be enclosed unless they are more than seven (7) feet above the floor or platform. Where the drive extends over other machine or working areas, protection against falling shall be provided.    On or about May 2, 2024, to May 8, 2024, at an establishment located at 2228 Cherney Road in Mishicot, Wisconsin; in the pet food processing area, employees were exposed to amputation hazards created by the unguarded drive chain and sprocket on the pet food mixer. The chain and sprocket were not effectively guarded to prevent exposure to these hazards.

Issued

Sep 12, 2024

Abate by

Dec 2, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,610 · Current $2,305 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(6): Deteriorating agents. Unless identified for use in the operating environment, no conductors or equipment shall be located in damp or wet locations; where exposed to gases, fumes, vapors, liquids, or other agents that have a deteriorating effect on the conductors or equipment; or where exposed to excessive temperatures.   On or about May 2, 2024, at an establishment located at 2228 Cherney Road in Mishicot, Wisconsin; employees operating the chain winches used to pull bovine carcasses into the deboning area were exposed to electrical shock and electrocution hazards when the cover and bottom on the front of electrical box had been rusted through, exposing the live conductors inside. The box was not identified for use to withstand the damp environment and potential deteriorating effect of the fluids produced during the slaughter process.

Issued

Sep 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(i): Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings shall be effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment.  On or about May 2, 2024, to May 8, 2024, at an establishment located at 2228 Cherney Road in Mishicot, Wisconsin; the cover on a 110 V electrical junction box on the side of the drive motor for a transfer belt conveyor was not effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment.

Issued

Sep 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(iv): Mechanical execution of work. Electric equipment shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner. There shall be no damaged parts that may adversely affect safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment, such as parts that are broken, bent, cut, or deteriorated by corrosion, chemical action, or overheating.   On or about May 2, 2024, at an establishment located at 2228 Cherney Road in Mishicot, Wisconsin; employees operating the chain winch used to pull bovine carcasses into the deboning area were exposed to electrical shock and electrocution hazards when the cover on the front of the throw switch box that powered the winch had been rusted through, exposing the live conductors inside.

Issued

Sep 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(c)(3)(i): Splices. Conductors shall be spliced or joined with splicing devices identified for the use or by brazing, welding, or soldering with a fusible metal or alloy. Soldered splices shall first be spliced or joined to be mechanically and electrically secure without solder and then soldered. All splices and joints and the free ends of conductors shall be covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device identified for the purpose.  On or about May 2, 2024, at an establishment located at 2228 Cherney Road in Mishicot, Wisconsin; employees were exposed to electrical shock and electrocution hazards when the 480V flexible cord powering the motor of the ValMetal transfer conveyor was spliced in at least two places. The splices were not covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device identified for the purpose.