OSHA Inspection: DAKOTA PROTEIN SOLUTIONS, LLC

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jul 8, 2025

Penalty

Initial $2,837 · Current $2,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(b)(8): The employer did not ensure that ladders are used only for the purposes for which they were designed:  a)Dakota Protein Solutions, LLC  at 27950 440th Avenue, Freeman, SD 57029: On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2024, the employer did not ensure employees were using an a-frame ladder properly in the deadstock room as they were transitioning from a-frame ladder to the  Rotobec: Optimax 950-SMX 12200213-184457-3-1 loader.  This condition exposed employees to fall hazards.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jul 8, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(8): The employer did not ensure that the cap (if equipped) and top step of a stepladder were not used as steps:  a)Dakota Protein Solutions, LLC. at 27950 440th Avenue, Freeman, SD 57029: On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2024, the employer did not ensure that employees did not use the top step of an a-frame ladder while accessing the Rotobec: Optimax 950-SMX 12200213-184457-3-1 loader. This condition exposed employees to fall hazards.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jul 8, 2025

Penalty

Initial $3,547 · Current $2,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.28(b)(1)(i):Except as provided elsewhere in this section 29 CFR 1910.28, the employer did not ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by one or more of the systems described in 29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i):  a)Dakota Protein Solutions, LLC at 27950 440th Avenue, Freeman, SD 57029: On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2024, the employer did not ensure employees were protected from falls while accessing the back of the grinder area in the deadstock room  This condition exposed employees to fall hazards greater than 4 feet.  b)Dakota Protein Solutions, LLC. at 27950 440th Avenue, Freeman, SD 57029: On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2024, the employer did not ensure employees were protected from falls while working near the mixer area in the deadstock room.  This condition exposed employees to fall hazards greater than 4 feet.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jul 8, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(3): The employer did not ensure that walking-working surfaces are maintained free of hazards such as sharp or protruding objects, loose boards, corrosion, leaks, spills, snow, and ice:  a)Dakota Protein Solutions, LLC at 27950 440th Avenue, Freeman, SD 57029: On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2024, the employer did not ensure a metal grated walkway surface was secured in front and over the auger system located inside the deadstock room.  This condition exposed employees caught-in and amputation hazards.  b)Dakota Protein Solutions, LLC.  at 27950 440th Avenue, Freeman, SD 57029: On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2024, the employer did not ensure adequate walkways in that  a metal beam was protruding directly into the walkway within the deadstock room.  This condition exposed employees to struck-by hazards.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jul 8, 2025

Penalty

Initial $3,547 · Current $2,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not 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:  a)Dakota Protein Solutions, LLC  at 27950 440th Avenue, Freeman, SD 57029: On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2024, the employer did not ensure a rotating auger was adequately guarded as the metal flooring did not fully extend to cover it within the deadstock room. This condition exposed employees to caught-in, pinch point, and amputation hazards..

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(e)(1)(i): Horizontal belts which had both runs 42 inches or less from the floor level were not fully enclosed by guards conforming to requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):  a)Dakota Protein Solutions, LLC.  at 27950 440th Avenue, Freeman, SD 57029: On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2024, the employer did not ensure a guard was attached to the rotating belt powered by the Marathon Electric Series E motor within the cooker room. This condition exposed employees to caught-in and pinch point hazards.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i): Vertical or inclined belt(s) were not enclosed by guard(s) conforming to the requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.219(m):  a)Dakota Protein Solutions, LLC.  at 27950 440th Avenue, Freeman, SD 57029: On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2024, the employer did not ensure an adequate guard was in place that fully covered the bottom of belt driven, M_111 powered motor on the north side of the grinder, located in the deadstock room. This condition exposed employees to caught-in and pinch point hazards.  b)Dakota Protein Solutions, LLC.  at 27950 440th Avenue, Freeman, SD 57029: On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2024, the employer did not ensure an adequate guard was in place that fully covered the bottom of belt driven, M_111 powered motor on the south side of the grinder, located in the deadstock room. This condition exposed employees to caught-in and pinch point hazards.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jul 8, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(e)(3)(ii):All guards for inclined belts were not arranged in such a manner that a minimum clearance of seven (7) feet is maintained between belt and floor at any point outside of guard:  a)Dakota Protein Solutions, Inc. at  27950 440th Avenue, Freeman, SD 57029:  On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2024, the employer did not ensure a guard was attached to the rotating belt powered by the Rotex Screener Model No: Model No: 581A-AAMS, Serial No: R203221A, in the meal room. This condition exposed employees to caught-in and pinch point hazards.

Issued

Jun 4, 2025

Abate by

Jul 8, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.25(c)(2): The employer did not ensure that standard stairs have a maximum riser height of 9.5 inches (24 cm):  a)Dakota Protein Solutions, LLC.  at 27950 440th Avenue, Freeman, SD 57029: On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2024, the employer did not ensure that two different levels of walkway/ working surfaces had at least stairs or a step when transitioning up or down between the two levels within the grinder area. This condition exposed employees to slips, trips and fall hazards between the two levels.