OSHA Inspection: MENNEL MILLING COMPANY

Issued

Nov 13, 2024

Abate by

Jan 31, 2025

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $8,066 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed:  a) On or about May 21, 2024, the employer did not ensure periodic inspections of the energy control procedures for the Buhler roller mill located on the third floor were completed at least annually. Employees are required to perform mill roller changes which requires the use of energy control procedures that have not been reviewed for deficiencies thereby exposing employees to pinch point and rotating part hazards.  b) On or about July 15, 2024, the employer did not ensure periodic inspections of the energy control procedures for the in-flowing conveyor to the grain bins were completed at least annually. Employees are required to enter grain bins for cleaning which requires the use of energy control procedures that have not been reviewed for deficiencies thereby exposing employees to engulfment hazards.   c) On or about July 15, 2024, the employer did not ensure periodic inspections of the energy control procedures for the grain bin sweep augers were completed at least annually. Employees are required to enter grain bins for cleaning which requires the use of energy control procedures that have not been reviewed for deficiencies thereby exposing employees to caught in and rotating part hazards.

Issued

Nov 13, 2024

Abate by

Dec 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $8,066 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(e)(1): The employer did not provide training to employees at least annually and when changes in job assignment will expose them to new hazards on the general safety precautions and specific procedures and safety practices listed in section (e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii).  On or about August 2, 2024, the employer did not ensure new employees were provided with training prior to starting work and that current employees were provided with training annually on general safety precautions with the facility, recognition and preventative measures for the hazards related to dust accumulations, common dust ignition sources, housekeeping procedures, preventive maintenance procedures, and lock-out/tag-out procedures.

Issued

Nov 13, 2024

Abate by

Dec 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Authorized employee(s) did not receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control:  b) On or about July 15, 2024, the employer did not ensure employees tasked with entering and cleaning out a grain bin were provided with authorized employee LOTO training covering the hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy, and the methods and means for energy isolation and control.

Issued

Nov 13, 2024

Abate by

Dec 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $8,066 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(e)(2): Employees assigned special tasks in the grain handling facility, such as bin entry and handling of flammable or toxic substances, were not provided training to perform these tasks safety:  On or about July 15, 2024, the employer did not ensure employees tasked with bin entry to clean the bin were trained on the company's confined space safety program including the procedures to complete a bin entry permit, the methods to test the bin for oxygen content prior to entry, the procedures to deenergize equipment which pose a danger to employees inside the bin, and the need for an observer and the responsibilities of an observer while an entry takes place.

Issued

Nov 13, 2024

Abate by

Dec 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $8,066 Reduced

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 July 15, 2024, the employer did not ensure bin entry permits were issued prior to employees entering a bin to perform bin cleaning activities to ensure in-feeding conveyors and sweep auger were locked out, that oxygen levels were monitored, that entrants were authorized employees, and that an observer was assigned to monitor the entrant(s).

Issued

Nov 13, 2024

Abate by

Dec 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 equally effective means or methods.  On or about July 15, 2024, the employer did not ensure the in-feeding conveyor and sweep auger were deenergized and locked out prior to employees entering a grain bin to perform cleaning activities. Employees were exposed to engulfment, caught in, and rotating part hazards.

Issued

Nov 13, 2024

Abate by

Dec 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 oxygen content prior to employee entry:  On or about July 15, 2024, the employer did not ensure the atmosphere inside a bin was tested for oxygen prior to employee entry when two employees entered a bin to perform cleaning activities.

Issued

Nov 13, 2024

Abate by

Jan 31, 2025

Penalty

Initial $15,211 · Current $7,604 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(m)(1)(i): Preventive maintenance procedures in the grain handling facility were not implemented to provide regularly scheduled inspections of the mechanical and safety control equipment associated with dryers, grain stream processing equipment, dust collection equipment including filter collectors, and bucket elevators.  On or about August 2, 2024, the employer did not ensure preventive maintenance procedures were implemented and that inspections of the mechanical and safety control equipment for the grain stream processing equipment, dust collection equipment and bucket elevators were performed.

Issued

Nov 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.272(k): Receiving pit feed openings in the grain handling facility, such as truck or railcar receiving pits, were not covered by grates which had a maximum opening width of 2.5 inches:   On or about August 2, 2024, the employer did not ensure that the mill receiving pit grate cross bars were maintain in a manner to ensure openings did not exceed 2.5 inches.