OSHA Inspection: HEARTLAND TANK INC.

Issued

Feb 6, 2025

Abate by

Mar 11, 2025

Penalty

Initial $3,783 · Current $3,380 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1903

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1): 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): (Construction Reference: 1926.59):  a)Heartland Tank Inc. at 21242 461st Avenue, Volga, SD 57071:  On or about and at times prior to September 7, 2024, the employer did not develop and implement a written hazard communication program which at least described how the criteria specified for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met, and which also included a hazardous chemicals list and methods used to inform employees of the hazards of non-routine tasks, had not been developed for employee exposures, such as but not limited to the following chemical:   (1)     Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

Issued

Feb 6, 2025

Abate by

Mar 11, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(3)(i):The employee training did not include the methods and observations used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area: (Construction Reference: 1926.59):  a)Heartland Tank Inc. at 21242 461st Avenue, Volga, SD 57071: On or about and at times prior to September 7, 2024, the employer did not ensure employees were provided training to include the methods and observations needed to detect the presence or release of nitrogen dioxide in the work area of the Harvestore silo on site. This condition exposed  employees to an oxygen deficient atmosphere within the silo due to Nitrogen Dioxide off-gassing from silage.

Issued

Feb 6, 2025

Abate by

Mar 11, 2025

Penalty

Initial $2,837 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.251(d)(6): Natural and synthetic fiber rope slings were not immediately removed from service when any of the following conditions specified in 1926.251(d)(6)(i) through (d)(6)(vi) were present:  a)Heartland Tank Inc. at 21242 461st Avenue, Volga, SD 57071:  On or about and at times prior to September 7, 2024, the employer did not ensure adequate ropes were provided to employees for hoisting tools and equipment while conducting work on the top of a Harvestore silo. The rope slings being utilized on site were damaged and not removed from service.  This condition exposed employees to struck-by hazards due to rope damage and failure.

Issued

Feb 6, 2025

Abate by

Mar 11, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,620 · Current $6,620

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1203(d):The employer did not implement a written permit space program as required by the standard after it decided that employees it directs will enter a permit space:  a)Heartland Tank Inc. at 21242 461st Avenue, Volga, SD 57071: On or about and at times prior to September 7, 2024, the employer did not ensure that a permit space program was written and implemented prior to  employees entering the permit required confined space. As a result, two employees entered the oxygen deficient permit required confined space of a Harvestore Silo and died as a result. This condition exposed employees to hazards associated with permit required confined spaces such as but not limited to entering spaces with an oxygen deficient atmosphere as a result of nitrogen dioxide off-gassing.

Issued

Feb 6, 2025

Abate by

Mar 11, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1207(d):  The employer did not maintain training records to show that the training required by paragraphs (a) through (c) of this standard has been accomplished. The training records must contain each employee's name, the name of the trainers, and the dates of training. The documentation must be available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives, for the period of time the employee is employed by that employer:  a)Heartland Tank Inc. at 21242 461st Avenue, Volga, SD 57071:  On or about and at times prior to September 7, 2024, the employer did not ensure training records were maintained to show training required for confined spaces.  This condition exposed employees to hazards associated with confined spaces.