OSHA Inspection: THE DODGE CITY COOPERATIVE EXCHANGE

Issued

Apr 28, 2026

Abate by

May 22, 2026

Penalty

Initial $14,895 · Current $9,682 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 December 10, 2025, at 710 W. Trail St., Dodge City, KS 67801, employees were exposed to fall hazards, caught in between hazards, and amputation hazards associated with being lifted and transported in the bucket of a wheel loader, model 624L 4WD Loader.  An employee was being lifted in the bucket of the wheel loader to grease the bearings of the hopper (blender) that was approximately 20 feet above them.  As they were being lifted in the bucket, the employee's hand was caught in between the edge of the bucket and a piece of iron framing at approximately 16 feet in the air. This caused injuries to the employee's left pinky finger, resulting in a medical amputation.   Feasible and acceptable abatement methods include:  - Follow manufacturer recommendations as indicated within the operator manual that states: Never use the loader to lift people. Do not allow anyone to ride in the bucket or use the bucket as a work platform. - Require that all operators demonstrate their knowledge of the proper operation of the machine.   - Identify proper equipment/machinery that might better suit lifting employees to the elevated work area to conduct necessary preventative maintenance; examples would include types of Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) such as aerial lifts, scissor lifts, vertical mast lifts, and other vertical elevation and boom lifts as appropriate to the specific tasks required.