OSHA Inspection: ROCKWELL MINING LLC

Issued

Mar 29, 2018

Abate by

Apr 24, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,934 · Current $12,934

Hazardous substances 1640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1): The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces:  (a) Casey Hollow, Dakota Mine Drainage Treatment Ponds:  On or about November 28, 2017 the employer had not evaluated the site to determine if permit-required confined spaces, such as the below grade manholes, were present.

Issued

Mar 29, 2018

Abate by

Apr 24, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,934 · Current $12,934

Hazardous substances 1640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2): The employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces:    (a) Casey Hollow, Dakota Mine Drainage Treatment Ponds:  On or about November 28, 2017 the employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the dangers posed by the permit spaces such as, but not limited to, the manholes that were connected by open pipes to an abandoned underground mine that is a source of methane gas.  The presence of the methane gas posed both a fire and an asphyxiation hazard.

Issued

Mar 29, 2018

Abate by

Apr 24, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,934 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3): The employer did not develop and implement the means, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations, including, but not limited to items (3)(i) through (3)(vi) of this paragraph:    (a) Casey Hollow, Dakota Mine Drainage Treatment Ponds:  On or about November 28, 2017 the employer had not developed and implemented the means, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations, including, but not limited to items (3)(i) through (3)(vi) of this paragraph prior to an employee entering a below grade manhole that was connected by open pipes to an abandoned underground mine that is a source of methane gas.

Issued

Mar 29, 2018

Abate by

Apr 24, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(g)(1): The employer did not provide training so that all employees whose work was regulated by 29 CFR 1910.146 (permit required confined spaces) acquired the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned under 29 CFR 1910.146:    (a) Casey Hollow, Dakota Mine Drainage Treatment Ponds:  On or about November 28, 2017 the employer had not provided training so that all employees whose work was regulated by 29 CFR 1910.146 (permit required confined spaces) acquired the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary prior to an employee entering a below grade manhole that was connected by open pipes to an abandoned underground mine that is a source of methane gas.

Issued

Mar 29, 2018

Abate by

Apr 24, 2018

Penalty

Initial $7,391 · Current $7,391

Hazardous substances 1640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(ii): The written hazard communication program did not include the methods the employer will use to inform employees of the hazards of non routine tasks, and the hazards associated with chemicals contained in unlabeled pipes in their work areas:    (a)  Casey Hollow, Dakota Mine Drainage Treatment Ponds:  On or about November 28, 2017 the employer's written hazard communication program did not include the methods the employer will use to inform employees of the hazards of non routine tasks such as, but not limited to, working near the drainage manholes which were openly connected to an abandoned mine that was a source of flammable methane gas.

Issued

Mar 29, 2018

Abate by

Apr 24, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(2)(ii): The employer did not provide information to the employees on operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals were present:    (a) Casey Hollow, Dakota Mine Drainage Treatment Ponds:  On or about November 28, 2017 the employer had not informed employees of the presence of flammable methane gas from the drainage manholes, which were openly connected to an abandoned mine, prior to assigning employees to go to the site.  This posed a fire hazard when working near the manholes.

Issued

Mar 29, 2018

Abate by

Apr 24, 2018

Penalty

Initial $1,848 · Current $1,848

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.29(a): A Log of all Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (OSHA Form 300), and/or Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, (OSHA Form 300-A), and/or the Injury and Illness Incident Report (OSHA Form 301) or equivalent forms were not kept by the establishment:  (a)  On or about December 6, 2017 the employer had not developed an OSHA-300 log of Occupational Injuries and Illness, or equivalent form, within seven calendar days of a workplace fatality that occurred on November 29, 2017.  (b)  On or about February 1, 2018 the employer had not developed an OSHA-300A Summary of Occupational Injuries and Illness, or equivalent form, to summarize the recordable instances for 2017 including a workplace fatality that occurred on November 29, 2017.

Issued

Mar 29, 2018

Abate by

Apr 24, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.145(c)(3): Safety instruction sign(s) were not used where there was a need for general instructions and suggestions relative to safety measure(s):  (a) Casey Hollow, Dakota Mine Drainage Treatment Ponds:  On or about January 11, 2018 "No Smoking" signs were not posted at the site where flammable methane gas vented from underground manholes connected to an abandoned mine.