OSHA Inspection: PETTISVILLE GRAIN CO.

Issued

Mar 2, 2023

Abate by

Mar 24, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,250 · Current $3,125 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.272(d):The employer did not develop and implement an emergency action plan meeting the requirements contained in 1910.38(a):  Pettisville Grain Co. located at 1825 County Road DE in Pettisville, Ohio 43553:  On or about October 27, 2022 the employer did not ensure an emergency action plan had been developed outlining the procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency. Employees were exposed to engulfment and entrapment hazards in that the procedures to be followed in the event of a grain emergency were not identified.

Issued

Mar 2, 2023

Abate by

Mar 24, 2023

Penalty

Initial $4,465 · Current $2,233 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.272(g)(1)(ii):Prior to entry, all mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment which presented a danger to employees inside grain storage structures in the grain handling facility were not disconnected, locked out and tagged, blocked-off, or otherwise prevented from operating by other equally effective means or methods:  Pettisville Grain Co. located at 1825 County Road DE in Pettisville, Ohio 43553:  The employer did not ensure all mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment which presents a danger to employees entering grain storage structures were deenergized and locked out.  Instance A  On or about October 27, 2022 the employer did not ensure the overhead infeed grain conveyor or the under floor grain conveyor was disconnected and/or isolated from their energy sources prior to employees accessing the grain storage bins. Three employees performing cleaning tasks in grain storage bins #8 and #9 were exposed to hazards associated with grain engulfment and entrapment.  Instance B   On or about October 27, 2022 the employer did not ensure procedures were implemented which afford the same level of protection equivalent to that provided by the implementation of personal lock out device for multiple employees entering grain storage bins for cleaning. Employees performing cleaning task in grain storage bins #8 and #9 were exposed to hazards associated with grain engulfment and entrapment in that group lock out tag out procedures were not implemented.

Issued

Mar 2, 2023

Abate by

Mar 24, 2023

Penalty

Initial $4,465 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.272(g)(1)(iii):The atmosphere within a bin, silo, or tank in the grain handling facility was not tested for the presence of combustible gases, vapors, and toxic agents prior to employee entry:  Pettisville Grain Co. located at 1825 County Road DE in Pettisville, Ohio 43553:  On or about October 27, 2022 the employer did not ensure that the internal atmosphere of grain storage structures were tested for combustible gases, vapors, or other agents prior to entry. Employees performing cleaning tasks in grain storage bins #8 and #9 were exposed to hazards associated with an oxygen deficient atmosphere such as, not limited to, mental confusion, loss of judgment, loss of coordination, weakness, nausea, fainting, loss of consciousness and death.

Issued

Mar 2, 2023

Abate by

Mar 15, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,250 · Current $3,125 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.272(g)(3):In the grain handling facility an observer, equipped to provide assistance, was not stationed outside the bin, silo, or tank being entered by an employee:  Pettisville Grain Co. located at 1825 County Road DE in Pettisville, Ohio 43553:  On or about October 27, 2022 the employer did not ensure an observer was stationed outside of the grain storage bin being entered by employees. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with confined spaces such as, but not limited to, entrapment, engulfment, and asphyxiation in that during bin entries into #8 and #9 for cleaning, an observer was not stationed at the entry of the grain bin to monitor the actions of entrants.

Issued

Mar 2, 2023

Abate by

Mar 24, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,250 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.272(g)(4):The employer did not provide equipment for rescue operations, which was specifically suited for the bin, silo, or tank being entered:  Pettisville Grain Co. located at 1825 County Road DE in Pettisville, Ohio 43553:  On or about October 27, 2022 the employer did not ensure rescue equipment specifically suited for bin entries was available. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with entry into grain bins such as, but not limited to, entrapment, engulfment, and asphyxiation in that a means to rescue an employee from within the grain bin was not available.