1,224,460Inspections Most recent open 2026-07-13 Last loaded 2026-07-16
Safety Incidents OSHA Severe Injury Reports · 2015–2025

FORT MORGAN, CO —

OSHA Inspection: THE WESTERN SUGAR COOPERATIVE

Federal Agency inspection · Health discipline

At a glance

On , OSHA opened a federal Agency health inspection of THE WESTERN SUGAR COOPERATIVE in 18317 HIGHWAY 144, FORT MORGAN, CO 80701 (NAICS 311313). OSHA activity number 347517054.

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Where did this inspection happen?

Establishment
THE WESTERN SUGAR COOPERATIVE
Site address
18317 HIGHWAY 144
City
FORT MORGAN
State
CO
ZIP
80701
Mailing
7555 E HAMPDEN AVENUE, SUITE 600, DENVER, CO 80231

What kind of inspection was it?

Inspection type
Federal Agency (M)
Scope
Partial (B)
Discipline
Health
Advance notice
No
Union status
A

When did the case open and close?

Opened
Closing conference
Case closed
Last modified
Data loaded

Establishment context

NAICS code
311313
Employees
90
Ownership type
A

Citations

15 citations on file for this inspection.

1910.132 D01

Serious Gravity 5 1 instance 4 exposed
Issued
Abate by
Penalty
Initial $11524.00 · Current $11524.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present, or were likely to be present, which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment:  (a) On or about May 29, 2024, at 18317 Highway 144, Fort Morgan, CO: The employer did not assess the lower pump house to determine if hazards were present, or likely to be present, which would necessitate the use of PPE.  The employer did not ensure a hazard assessment was performed and personal protective equipment was assigned during a line break and pump removal in the lower pump house. This condition exposed employees hands, arms, face, and body to contaminated water as a result of performing maintenance on pumps.  Abatement note: The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that shall include the following:  (1)	Identifies the workplace evaluated; (2)	The person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; (3)	The date(s) that the hazard assessment was performed; and (4)	Which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.
Recent events (2)
  • — I (S) $11524
  • — Z (S) $11524

1910.134 D01 III

Serious Gravity 10 2 instances 1 exposed
Issued
Abate by
Penalty
Initial $16131.00 · Current $16131.00

Hazardous substances 05601480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(iii): The employer did not identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace; including a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazards and identification of the contaminant's chemical state and physical form:  (a) On or about May 29, 2024, at 18317 Highway 144, Fort Morgan, CO: The employer did not identify and evaluate employee exposure to hydrogen sulfide while performing a line break and pump removal within the lower pump house. This condition exposed multiple employees to hazards involving hydrogen sulfide;  (b) On or about May 29, 2024, at 18317 Highway 144, Fort Morgan, CO: The employer did not identify and evaluate employee exposure to carbon monoxide while performing a line break and pump removal within the lower pump house. This condition exposed multiple employees to hazards involving carbon monoxide.
Recent events (2)
  • — I (S) $16131
  • — Z (S) $16131

1910.146 C01

Serious Gravity 10 1 instance 4 exposed
Issued
Abate by
Penalty
Initial $16131.00 · Current $16131.00

General-duty citation text

1910.146(c)(7)(iv): When hazards arose within a confined space that was declassified to a non-permit space under paragraph (c)(7) of this section, each employee in the space did not exit the space. The employer did not reevaluate the space and determine whether it must be reclassified as a permit space, in accordance with other applicable provisions of this section:    (a) On or about May 29, 2024, at 18317 Highway 144, in Fort Morgan, CO: The employer did not evaluate the workplace when conditions changed in the space. Employees were exposed to atmospheric hazards and Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) condition associated with hydrogen sulfide exposure while performing a line break and pump removal within the lower pump house.
Recent events (2)
  • — I (S) $16131
  • — Z (S) $16131

1910.146 C02

Serious Gravity 10 1 instance 4 exposed
Issued
Abate by
Penalty
Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 05601480

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) On or about May 29, 2024, at 18317 Highway 144, in Fort Morgan, CO: The employer did not inform exposed employees by posting danger signs or by other equally effective means of the existence and location and the danger posed by entering and performing maintenance activities involving a line break and pump removal in the lower pump house.  Employees were exposed to atmospheric hazards and Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) condition associated with hydrogen sulfide while performing maintenance activities. This condition exposed employees to hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide.
Recent events (2)
  • — I (S) $0
  • — Z (S) $0

1910.146 D03

Serious Gravity 10 1 instance 4 exposed
Issued
Abate by
Penalty
Initial $16131.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), 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 (d)(3)(i) through (d)(3)(vi) of this paragraph:  (a) On or about May 29, 2024, at 18317 Highway 144, Fort Morgan, CO: The employer failed to implement procedures and practices necessary for safe entry operations when conditions changed in the space. Employees were exposed to atmospheric hazards and Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) condition associated with hydrogen sulfide exposure while performing a line break and pump removal within the lower pump house
Recent events (2)
  • — I (S) $0
  • — Z (S) $16131

1910.146 D05 III

Serious Gravity 10 1 instance 4 exposed
Issued
Abate by
Penalty
Initial $16131.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(5)(iii): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), when testing for atmospheric hazards, the employer did not evaluate permit space conditions when entry operations were conducted by testing first:   (a) On or about May 29, 2024, at 18317 Highway 144, Fort Morgan, CO: The employer failed to evaluate the conditions in the space for atmospheric hazards when conditions changed in the space. Employees were exposed to atmospheric hazards and Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) condition associated with hydrogen sulfide exposure while performing a line break and pump removal within the lower pump house.
Recent events (2)
  • — I (S) $0
  • — Z (S) $16131

1910.146 E01

Serious Gravity 10 1 instance 4 exposed
Issued
Abate by
Penalty
Initial $16131.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(e)(1): Before entry was authorized, the employer did not document the completion of measures required by 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3) by preparing an entry permit:  (a) On or about May 29, 2024, at 18317 Highway 144, Fort Morgan, CO: The employer did not prepare an entry permit when conditions changed in the lower level of the pump house due to a line break and pump removal.
Recent events (2)
  • — I (S) $0
  • — Z (S) $16131

1910.1000 B02

Serious Gravity 10 1 instance 1 exposed
Issued
Abate by
Penalty
Initial $16131.00 · Current $16131.00

Hazardous substances 1480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(b)(2): Acceptable ceiling concentrations. An employee's exposure to a substance listed in Table Z-2 shall not exceed at any time during an 8-hour shift the acceptable ceiling concentration limit given for the substance in the table, except for a time period, and up to a concentration not exceeding the maximum duration and concentration allowed in the column under "acceptable maximum peak above the acceptable ceiling concentration for an 8-hour shift":  (a) On or about May 29, 2024, at 18317 Highway 144, Fort Morgan, CO: A maintenance employee was exposed to hydrogen sulfide in excess of the ceiling value of 20 parts per million (ppm) while responding to an emergency situation and entering the confined space in an attempt to rescue a maintenance employee within the lower pump house.
Recent events (2)
  • — I (S) $16131
  • — Z (S) $16131

1910.146 G01

Deleted Serious Gravity 10 1 instance 5 exposed
Issued
Abate by
Penalty
Initial $16131.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

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):  (a ) On or about May 29, 2024, at 18317 Highway 144, Fort Morgan, CO: The employer did not ensure employees required to enter permit required confined spaces within the lower pump house to perform a line break and pump removal, were provided training involving the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties surrounding entry into permit required confined spaces as required by 29 CFR 1910.146(a). This condition exposed employees to hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide gases.
Recent events (2)
  • — I (S) $0
  • — Z (S) $16131

1910.146 H01

Deleted Serious Gravity 10 1 instance 4 exposed
Issued
Abate by
Penalty
Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(h)(1): The employer did not ensure that all authorized entrants knew the hazards that could be faced during entry, including information on the mode, sign or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure:  (a) On or about May 29, 2024, at 18317 Highway 144, Fort Morgan, CO: The employer did not protect employees from hazards associated with confined-space entry in that all authorized entrants were not provided information involving atmospheric hazards to include mode, signs and symptoms and potential consequences related to the exposure involving hydrogen sulfide encountered during the entry. This condition exposed employees to hydrogen sulfide gas.
Recent events (2)
  • — I (S) $0
  • — Z (S) $0

1910.146 I

Deleted Serious Gravity 10 1 instance 5 exposed
Issued
Abate by
Penalty
Initial $16131.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(i): The employer did not ensure that each attendant was trained to perform the duties required by (i)(1)-(10) of this section (29 CFR 1910.146):  (a) On or about May 29, 2024, at 18317 Highway 144, Fort Morgan, CO: The employer did not protect employees from hazards associated with permit-required confined-space entry in ensuring a trained attendant was involved in the entry. The employer did not provide an attendant to perform the required duties involving entry into the lower pump house to perform a line break and pump removal. This condition exposed employees to hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide gases
Recent events (2)
  • — I (S) $0
  • — Z (S) $16131

1910.146 J

Deleted Serious Gravity 10 1 instance 5 exposed
Issued
Abate by
Penalty
Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 05601480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(j): The employer did not ensure that each entry supervisor was trained to perform the duties required by (j)(1)-(6) of this section (29 CFR 1910.146):  (a) On or about May 29, 2024, at 18317 Highway 144, Fort Morgan, CO: The employer did not protect employees from hazards associated with permit-required confined-space entry in ensuring an entry supervisor had been provided training associated with the hazards, verified appropriate entries have been made on the permit, terminated entry and canceled the permit, removed unauthorized individuals, and determined responsibility for the permit space operation. The condition within the lower pump house exposed employees to hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide gas while employees conducted a line break and pump removal.
Recent events (2)
  • — I (S) $0
  • — Z (S) $0

1910.146 K01 II

Deleted Serious Gravity 10 1 instance 5 exposed
Issued
Abate by
Penalty
Initial $16131.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(k)(1)(ii): When designating rescue and emergency services pursuant to paragraph (d)(9), the employer did not evaluate the prospective rescuer's ability, in terms of proficiency with rescue-related tasks and equipment, to function appropriately while rescuing entrants from the particular space or types of spaces identified:   (a) On or about May 29, 2024, at 18317 Highway 144, Fort Morgan, CO: The employer did not protect employees from hazards associated with confined-space entry in that, the employer did not evaluate local fire departments rescue ability and proficiency with rescue-related tasks and equipment involving rescue from the lower pump house. Multiple employees entered the lower pump house and were over-exposed to hydrogen sulfide gas and the employer relied on two local fire departments to provide rescue for employees. The volunteer fire departments called to provide assistance were not equipped to reach victim(s) within a time frame that was appropriate for exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas, prepared or proficient in performing the rescue. This condition exposed employees to hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide gas.
Recent events (2)
  • — I (S) $0
  • — Z (S) $16131

1910.1200 G08

Deleted Serious Gravity 5 1 instance 6 exposed
Issued
Abate by
Penalty
Initial $11524.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(g)(8): The employer shall maintain in the workplace copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical, and shall ensure that they are readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they are in their work area(s):    (a) On or about May 29, 2024 at 18317 Highway 144, Fort Morgan, CO: The employer did not maintain copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical in the workplace. Employees were exposed to hydrogen sulfide gas which was in the discharge line within the lower pump house. The employer did not have a required hydrogen sulfide safety data sheet.
Recent events (2)
  • — I (S) $0
  • — Z (S) $11524

1910.1200 H03 I

Deleted Serious Gravity 5 1 instance 3 exposed
Issued
Abate by
Penalty
Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 1480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(i): Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area (such as monitoring conducted by the employer, continuous monitoring devices, visual appearance or odor of hazardous chemicals when being released, etc.):   (a) On or about May 29, 2024, at the jobsite located at 18317 Highway 144, in Fort Morgan, CO: The employer did not use methods and observations to detect the presence or release of hydrogen sulfide in the work area. Employees involved in a line break and pump removal were exposed to hydrogen sulfide gas. The employer did not provide training on the methods to detect the release and accumulation of hydrogen sulfide gas to include the physical and health hazards and characteristics related to exposure. The employer did not provide employees with measures to protect themselves from these hazards to include specific procedures involving work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment to be used. This condition exposed employees to hydrogen sulfide gas related to performing maintenance activities.
Recent events (2)
  • — I (S) $0
  • — Z (S) $0

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Source

This record is reproduced from the U.S. Department of Labor Open Data API (OSHA inspection dataset). The original IMIS detail view is available at OSHA's Establishment Search for activity number 347517054.