OSHA Inspection: SIDNEY SUGARS, INC.

Issued

2023-04-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-05-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $15625.00 · Current $15625.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(5)(i): The employer did not ensure that each employee on a runway or similar walkway is protected from falling 4 feet (1.2 m) or more to a lower level by a guardrail system:  a) Pulp Dryer Overhead Area: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to fall hazards of approximately twenty feet to the ground below while accessing equipment from unguarded walkways. Throughout the area there were missing and damaged railings.

Issued

2023-04-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-05-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $15625.00 · Current $15625.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(4)(i): Lockout or tagout devices were not affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees:  a) Boiler #1 Spreader #3: On or about October 08, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to crushing hazards from the unexpected machine startup while clearing a coal jam without the protection of lockout or tagout devices to control stored hazardous energies such as, but not limited to, electrical and mechanical.  b) Boiler #1 Spreader #3: On or about October 09, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to crushing hazards from then unexpected machine startup while clearing a coal jam without the protection of lockout or tagout devices to control stored hazardous energies such as, but not limited to, electrical and mechanical.

Issued

2023-04-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-05-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $15625.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(2)(i): When outside servicing personnel were engaged in activities in a facility, the onsite employer and the outside employer did not inform each other of their respective lockout or tagout procedures:  a) Granny Room Area: On or about October 28, 2022, and at times prior, employees of Sidney Sugars, Inc. were exposed to unexpected machine startup while conducting maintenance on the Granulator Air Lock when a subcontractor, Prairie Electric Inc., was brought in to isolate and control electrical power on the equipment. Prairie Electric Inc., and Sidney Sugars, Inc. did not inform each other of their respective lockout or tagout procedures.

Issued

2023-04-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-05-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $15625.00 · Current $15625.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    a) Beet End: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught in hazards from the ingoing nip point created by the unguarded drive pulley on the Soda Ash Pump.     b) Dryer Oven Overhead Area: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught in hazards from the ingoing nip point created by the unguarded pulleys on the Dryer Oven.    c) Beet End Wet Pulp: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught in hazards from the ingoing nip point while walking and working in and around the unguarded drive pulley. This drive motor and pulley is used to power the conveyor belt that transfers the wet beet pulp to the Pulp Press.     d) Pulp Press Area: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught in hazards from the ingoing nip point while walking and working in and around the unguarded drive pulley. This drive motor and pulley is used to power the #2 Pressed Pulp conveyor belt that transfers the pressed beet pulp to the dryers.

Issued

2023-04-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-05-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i): Horizontal belts which had both runs seven feet or less from the floor level were not guarded with a guard that extended to at least fifteen inches above the belt:    a) Beet End: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught in hazards from the ingoing nip point created by the unguarded horizontal belt on the Soda Ash Pump.     b) Dryer Oven Overhead Area: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught in hazards from the ingoing nip point created by the unguarded horizontal belts on the Dryer Oven.    c) Beet End Wet Pulp: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught in hazards from the ingoing nip point while walking and working around the unguarded transfer conveyor belt. This belt is used to transfer the wet beet pulp to the Pulp Press.     d) #2 Pressed Pulp Conveyor: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught in hazards from the ingoing nip point while walking and working around the unguarded transfer conveyor belt. This belt is used to transfer the pressed beet pulp to the dryers.

Issued

2023-04-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-05-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12278.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(i): Unguarded projecting shaft end(s) did not present a smooth edge and end and projected more than one half the diameter of the shaft:   a) Beet Wash Area: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught in hazards while walking and working in and around the unguarded one- and one-half inch diameter shaft on the Mud Drag roller. The shaft projected more than three inches from the roller.   b) Pulp Dryer Overhead Area: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught in hazards while walking and working in and around the two unguarded one- and one-half inch diameter shafts on the Pellet Cooler. The shafts projected more than three inches from the cooler.

Issued

2023-04-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-05-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $15625.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven (7) feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:  a) Pulp Dryer Overhead Top Floor: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to amputation hazards while walking and working in and around unguarded chains and sprockets used to drive multiple pieces of equipment.

Issued

2023-04-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-05-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $14733.00 · Current $14733.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): Pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers approved for the purpose:  a) Sidney Sugars, Inc.: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to shock and fire hazards from multiple pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings with open and exposed conductors.  b) Motor Control Room: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to shock and fire hazards from a missing MCC box for the West Main Limer Pump FVFD-211.  c) Pulp Dryers: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to shock and fire hazards from openings in Motor Control switch boxes labeled MCC-PD-1-1 and MCC-PD-1-2.

Issued

2023-04-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-05-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:  a) Pulp Press:  On or about October 27, 2022 and times prior, employees are exposed to electric shock hazards while using temporary flexible cords for a permanent power supply for Geiger Counter Meters.

Issued

2023-04-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-05-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $85938.00 · Current $85938.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:   a) Boiler #1 Spreader #3: On or about October 08, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to crushing hazards from the unexpected machine startup while clearing a coal jam without utilizing the machine specific procedure to control stored hazardous energies such as, but not limited to, electrical and mechanical.  b) Boiler #1 Spreader #3: On or about October 09, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to crushing hazards from then unexpected machine startup while clearing a coal jam without utilizing the machine specific procedure to control stored hazardous energies such as, but not limited to, electrical and mechanical.  c)  Sidney Sugars, Inc., 35140 County Rd 125, Sidney, MT: On or about October 08, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to amputations, burns, and electrical shock from the release of hazardous stored energies such as, but not limited to, thermal, electrical, pneumatic and mechanical energy. Employees were exposed while clearing jams and maintaining equipment with multiple energy sources without utilizing the machine specific procedure to control the stored hazardous energy.    This Employer was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1513727, citation number 01, item number 001a and was affirmed as a final order on July 08, 2021, with respect to a workplace located at 35140 County Rd 125, Sidney, MT, 59270.

Issued

2023-04-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-05-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $85938.00 · Current $85938.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide adequate training to ensure that employees acquired the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage and removal of energy control devices:  a) Sidney Sugars, Inc., 35140 County Rd 125, Sidney, MT: On or about October 08, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to amputations, burns, and electrical shock from the release of hazardous stored energy such as, but not limited to, thermal, electrical, pneumatic and mechanical energy. Employees were exposed while clearing jams and maintaining equipment with multiple energy sources from lack of training and implementation of the energy control program. The employer failed to provide adequate training to employees including, but not limited to authorized employee, exposed employees, and other employees, in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.   This Employer was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1513727, citation number 01, item number 001b and was affirmed as a final order on July 08, 2021, with respect to a workplace located at 35140 County Rd 125, Sidney, MT, 59270.

Issued

2023-04-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-05-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $85938.00 · Current $85938.00

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) Equipment Shop: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to becoming caught in rotation parts while using an unguarded, unnamed drill press.  b) Ag Shop: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to becoming caught in rotation parts while using an unguarded, Atlas drill press.  c) Ag Shop: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to flying chips and sparks while using an unguarded, Lagun Republic FT-2S Vertical Mill Machine.  d) Machine Shop: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to flying chips and sparks while using an unguarded, Cincinnati Bickford hydraulic press.  e) Pulp Dryer Area:  On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to amputation hazards from an improperly guarded gear and drive motor of Pulp Dryer Drum A. The guards in place had access holes that would allow hands to enter the rotating drive motor gear.  f) Pulp Dryer Area:  On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to amputation hazards from an improperly guarded gear and drive motor of Pulp Dryer Drum B. The guards in place had access holes that would allow hands to enter the rotating drive motor gear.  g) Beet End Wet Pulp Area: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught in hazards from the ingoing nip point while walking and working in and around the unguarded rotating idle rollers. These rollers are used to transport wet beet pulp to the Pulp Press.   h) Pulp Press Area: On or about October 27, 2022, and at times prior, employees were exposed to caught in hazards from the ingoing nip point while walking and working in and around the unguarded #2 Pressed Pulp Belt rotating idle rollers. These rollers are used to transport pressed beet pulp to the dryers.    This Employer was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard 1910.212(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1475098, citation number 01, item number 001 and was affirmed as a final order on August 21, 2020, with respect to a workplace located at 35140 County Road 125, Sidney, MT 59270.