OSHA Inspection: BLACK RIVER COMMODITIES, LLC

Issued

Oct 24, 2024

Abate by

Nov 20, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,067 · Current $8,067

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:  a) On or about May 5, 2024, in Bin 3, employees were performing rice grain milling activities without a confined space entry permit.  b) On or about May 6, 2024, in Bin 4, employees were performing rice grain milling activities without a confined space entry permit.

Issued

Oct 24, 2024

Abate by

Nov 20, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,067 · Current $8,067

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:  a) On or about May 5, 2024, in Bin 3, employees were performing rice grain milling activities where the equipment and machinery such as but not limited to the sweep and pull-out augers were not de-energized prior to entering the storage bin.  b) On or about May 6, 2024, in Bin 4, employees were performing rice grain milling activities where the equipment and machinery such as but not limited to the sweep and pull-out augers were not de-energized prior to entering the storage bin.

Issued

Oct 24, 2024

Abate by

Nov 20, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,680 · Current $9,680

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 May 6, 2024, at Bin 4, employees performed rice grain milling activities where the following electrical boxes did not have covers:  a) electrical box providing power to the pull-out auger.  b) electrical box providing power to the sweep auger.   c) the junction boxes outside the electrical building, that provided power to the building.

Issued

Oct 24, 2024

Abate by

Nov 20, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,453 · Current $6,453

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(e)(1): Cabinets, cutout boxes, fittings, boxes, and panelboard enclosures were not weatherproof in wet locations:   On or about May 6, 2024, at Bin 4, employees were performing rice grain milling activities using electrical equipment such as, but not limited to lights receiving power from an outlet box that was not effectively closed due to damage.

Issued

Oct 24, 2024

Abate by

Nov 20, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,134 · Current $16,134

Hazardous substances 148019032080

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(g)(1)(iii): The atmosphere within a bin, silo, or tank in the grain handling facility was not tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors, and toxic agents prior to employee entry:  On or about May 6, 2024, Bin 4, employees entered the bin containing atmospheric hazards such as but not limited to hydrogen sulfide, phosphene, and nitrogen dioxide gases to perform rice grain milling activities including but not limited to cleaning and checking the area without performing atmospheric testing.  Black River Commodities, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1658029, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on October 19, 2023, with respect to a workplace located at 910 Townsend Drive, Pocahontas, AR 72455.

Issued

Aug 26, 2024

Abate by

Sep 20, 2024

Penalty

Initial $1,613 · Current $1,613

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.41(a)(1)(i):  The establishment had 20 or more employees but fewer than 250 employees at some time during the previous calendar year, and the establishment was classified in an industry listed in appendix A to subpart E of this part, and the employer did not electronically submit information from OSHA Form 300A Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses to OSHA or OSHA's designee by the specified date:  On or about March 2, 2024, the employer did not electronically submit information from OSHA Form 300A Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses for calendar year 2023 to OSHA by March 2, 2024.