OSHA Inspection: HORIZON BIOFUELS INC

Issued

2026-01-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-02-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $10758.00 · Current $10758.00

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 in that employees were exposed to the hazards of explosion, deflagration, and fire by working in a wood pellet and animal bedding manufacturing facility without adequate controls to prevent or mitigate wood dust explosions, in that:  a.	On or about July 29, 2025, the employer operated Cresswood HF wood grinder, Bliss 442 hammermill, Surge mixer, and interior bucket elevators without controls to prevent ferrous metals from scrap wood from entering the equipment and creating sparks or heat, which can serve as an ignition source for an explosion, deflagration, or fire.  b.	On or about July 29, 2025, the employer operated Cresswood HF wood grinder, Bliss 442 hammermill, Surge mixer, and interior bucket elevators without controls to prevent hot equipment surfaces, such as from bearings on the Surge mixer and the bucket elevator, which can ignite wood dust particles, causing an explosion, deflagration, or fire.  c.	On or about July 29, 2025, the employer operated Cresswood HF wood grinder, Bliss 442 hammermill, Surge mixer, and interior bucket elevators without controls to prevent  belt friction within the bucket elevators as a result of improper alignment of the belt, allowing it to rub against the enclosure, which can serve as an ignition source for an explosion, deflagration, or fire.

Issued

2026-01-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-02-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $10758.00 · Current $10758.00

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):  On or about July 29, 2025, at the facility located at 950 South Union Street in Freemont, NE the employer failed to protect employees from falls greater than 4ft.  An employee routinely traversed a single wooden plank catwalk to access elevated storage bins.  The catwalks rested on storage bin structural members and were suspended more than 4ft above the working surface.

Issued

2026-01-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-03-12 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7685.00 · Current $7685.00

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:  On or about July 29, 2025, an employee of Horizon Biofuels Inc. was engaged in woodworking machine maintenance activities at the facility located at 950 South Union Street, Fremont, NE 68025, and was exposed to amputation, caught between and electrocution hazards in that the employer did not ensure a periodic review of the woodworking equipment, to include the procedure with all employees authorized to lockout/tagout the machine., was conducted at least annually. Instances include but are not limited to:  i. Wood grinding machine. ii. Wood pelletizing machine.

Issued

2026-01-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-02-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $10758.00 · Current $10758.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(c)(2)(vi)(a): Only approved power operated industrial trucks designated as EX shall be used in atmospheres in which combustible dust is or may be in suspension continuously, intermittently, or periodically under normal operating conditions, in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures, or where mechanical failure or abnormal operation of machinery or equipment might cause such mixtures to be produced.  On or about July 29, 2025, an employee of Horizon Biofuels Inc. operated powered industrial trucks at the facility located at 950 South Union Street, Fremont, NE 68025, and was exposed to explosion hazards in that the employees used one of three propane powered industrial trucks within a woodworking facility that created large amounts of combustible dust during regular production operations.

Issued

2026-01-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-02-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $107584.00 · Current $107584.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that all places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces are kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.  On or about July 29, 2025, employees of Horizon Biofuels Inc. were engaged in wood pellet manufacturing activities at the facility located at 950 South Union Street, Fremont, NE 68025, and were exposed to explosion hazards in that they were working in a facility where the horizontal working surfaces of the structure supports and equipment  had consistent combustible dust in excess of 1/8-inch. Instances include but are not limited to:  i. Basement of facility. ii. Main work floor of facility. iii. Elevated bin areas of the facility. iv. Top floor of the facility.

Issued

2026-01-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-02-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): The employer did not ensure that the  floor of each workroom is maintained in a clean and, to the extent feasible, in a dry condition. The employer did not ensure that when wet processes are used, drainage is be maintained and, to the extent feasible, dry standing places, such as false floors, platforms, and mats are provided.  On or about July 29, 2025, employees of Horizon Biofuels Inc. were engaged in wood pellet manufacturing activities at the facility located at 950 South Union Street, Fremont, NE 68025, and were exposed to explosion hazards in that they were working in a facility where the walking working surfaces throughout the facility had consistent combustible dust in excess of 1/8-inch. Instances include but are not limited to:  i. Basement of facility. ii. Main work floor of facility. iii. Elevated bin areas of the facility. iv. Top floor of the facility.

Issued

2026-01-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-02-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(s)(6): Cleanliness around working machinery was not maintained to prevent fire hazards and ensure the effective functioning of guards:  On or about July 29, 2025, employees of Horizon Biofuels Inc. were engaged in wood pellet manufacturing activities at the facility located at 950 South Union Street, Fremont, NE 68025, and were exposed to fire and explosion hazards in that they were working with woodworking machinery that had not been maintained to prevent the buildup of combustible dust. Instances include but are not limited to:  i. Wood grinding machine. ii. Wood pelletizing machine.