OSHA Inspection: RIPPEN INC.

Issued

Nov 8, 2024

Abate by

Dec 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,839 · Current $3,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.  On or about May 13, 2024, employees in the maintenance shop were exposed to explosion hazards at the facility located at 37261 Valley Drive, Culbertson, NE 69024.  The employer failed to ensure employees were protected from explosive tire and wheel separation while servicing an irrigation pivot tire.    AMONG OTHER METHODS, FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHODS TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD ARE:  i. Ensure that all servicing and inflation of tires, not mounted to a vehicle or trailer, are performed inside an approved tire cage, or with the use of an inline pressure gauge and a clip-on chuck while maintaining a safe standoff distance as per tire manufacturer guidelines.  ii. Develop and communicate a training curriculum, based on safety operating procedures, for addressing safely servicing tires.  iii. Develop and implement a safe operating procedure for servicing single and split piece rims

Issued

Nov 8, 2024

Abate by

Dec 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,074 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1):  The employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program that included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):  On or about June 25, 2024, employees of the Rippen Inc. farm located at 37258 Valley Drive. Culbertson, Nebraska were exposed to chemical hazards in that the employer did not develop and maintain a written hazard communication program.  The employer uses a number of chemicals such as but not limited to motor oil, petroleum based lubricants, and fuels.

Issued

Nov 8, 2024

Abate by

Dec 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1)(i): The employer did not compile a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present using a product identifier that was referenced on the appropriate safety data sheet.   On or about June 25, 2024, employees of the Rippen Inc. farm located at 37258 Valley Drive Culbertson, Nebraska were exposed to motor oil, petroleum based lubricants, and fuels, and the employer had not assembled a master list of hazardous chemicals.

Issued

Nov 8, 2024

Abate by

Dec 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:   On or about June 25, 2024, employees of the Rippen Inc. farm located at 37258 Valley Drive. Culbertson, Nebraska were exposed to chemical hazards and the employer had not provided training to identify and avoid hazards related to these chemicals such as flammability and carcinogenicity. The employer uses a number of chemicals such as but not limited to motor oil, petroleum based lubricants, and fuels.

Issued

Nov 8, 2024

Abate by

Dec 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(g)(8):   The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical   On or about June 25, 2024, employees of the Rippen Inc. farm located at 37258 Valley Drive. Culbertson, Nebraska were exposed to chemical hazards in that the employer did not provide and maintain Safety Data Sheets for all chemicals on site.  The employer uses a number of chemicals such as but not limited to motor oil, petroleum based lubricants, and fuels.