By Jim Misunas
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

ROZEL — The Occuptaional Ssafety and Health Administration cited Golden Valley Inc. for seven serious safety violations in 2011, including protective guardrails that were not installed; floor holes that were not covered; the lack of a guard system over a pulley system, breakers not properly labeled and PVC pipe not properly protected.

CITATION 1, ITEM 1
SERIOUS VIOLATION
At the establishment, in the tire shop, one-inch diameter PVC Schedule 40 pipe was being used to transport compressed air up to 130 psi and was not encased in conduit or shatter resistant materials. Employees were exposed to struck-by hazards from potential rupturing plastic PVC pipe being used to transport compressed air throughout the shop facility in 1-inch diameter size.
Employer Knowledge — PVC pipe has been installed in the facility for more than six months, since the addition was constructed in 2002. The PVC piping was part of the construction of the building, per GM comments during the walk around portion of inspection and confirmed with EE interview. Operation of typical mechanic tools requires air pressure greater than 30 PSI for the tools to operate properly.
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) — Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is — Encase the PVC pipe in conduit or shatter resistant materials of sufficient strength for air pressures as recommended in the Plastic Pipe Institute Recommendation B, dated Jan. 19, 1972, and revised Dec. 30, 2005.
29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is completed.
Penalty — $2,800

CITATION 1, ITEM 2
SERIOUS VIOLATION
29 CFR 1910.23(a)(2) — Ladderway floor openings or platforms were not provided with swinging gates or were not so offset that a person could not walk directly into the opening:
The ladderway to the headhouse level at the East elevator was not protected so that an employee could not walk directly into the ladder well. Employees were exposed to hazards of falling approximately 10 feet to the next lower level concrete floor.
Employer Knowledge — Ladder way for similar location on west elevator had guardrail with gate installed. Safety Director goes throughout the facilities, and reports to GM what the Safety Director has been observed within the facility or told by employees.
MOA — Install guardrail system around ladder way opening.
29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1) requires certification and documentation that the abatement of the above violation is completed.
Penalty — $3,500

CITATION 1, ITEM 3
SERIOUS VIOLATION
29 CFR 1910.23(a)(6) — Manhole floor openings with the covers removed were not constantly attended by someone or protected on all exposed sides by removable standard railings.
On or about June 22, 2011, Grain Bin No. 10 manhole in the East Elevator was opened without an attendant or a removable standard railing in place. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with falling approximately 73 feet into the grain bin.
Employer Knowledge — Employer has work rule for employees not to “stand on lids,” and an unwritten work rule to use a “bin in corner,” to sweep into, without identifying any specific bin numbers. There is no requirement that the lid be opened the minimum amount, only that the lid be removed “enough” or as “little as possible,” to sweep into, and no probation on type or size of broom to be used for sweeping, nor is there “any rule to have an other employee as “standby,” while bin lid has been opened. Employer expects sweepings to be removed by deposit into a bin, with no guidance/expectation or explicitly of where or how to dispose of sweepings, just do it.
MOA — Require an attendant to remain close by, install a temporary guard rail system around the hole, install retaining device to reduce size of opening to prevent employees from “passing through,” the openings, or require a fall protection system — harness and lanyard — be worn when the bin lids are opened.
29 CFR 1903.19(dl)(1) requires certification and documentation that the abatement of the above violation is completed.
Penalty — $7,000

CITATION 1, ITEM 4
SERIOUS VIOLATION
29 CFR 1910.23(a)(8) — Floor holes, into which persons could accidentally walk, were not guarded by standard railings with standard toeboards on all exposed sides or by floor hole covers of standard strength and construction:
At the establishment, distributor levels in the east and west elevators, floor openings for transferring grain from the distributors to the spouts to the individual grain bins were not protected with a cover when not in use. Employees cleaning these areas were exposed to hazards associated with stepping into an uncovered floor hole.
On or about the 23rd of June, 2011, the floor openings for transferring grain from the distributor to the spouts leading to the individual bins were not protected with a cover when not in use. Employees cleaning this area were exposed to steeping into a floor opening approximately 12 inches in diameter. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with steeping into floor holes.
Employer Knowledge — Employer provided lids to cover holes on site, but did not have a requirement that holes were to be covered when not being used. This equipment is used on an almost daily basis to move grain into or between bins as part of normal operation(s). The primary use of the lids is to prevent the intermixing of grains into the same bin, not for employee protection thus lids are placed when a change of grains between bins is required.
MOA — Install covers over holes not actually being used to transferrer grain, especially when sweeping area.
29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is completed.
Penalty — $2,800

CITATION 1, ITEM 5
SERIOUS VIOLATION
29 CFR 191O.23(d)(I)(ii) — Flights of stairs with four or more risers, “less than 44 inches wide and having one side open, were not equipped with a standard stair railing on the open side:
The circular stairway to the boot pit of the east elevator did not have a handrail installed on the open side of the stairway. The stairway was used without a handrail installed for employees to grasp as’ ascending or descending to/from the “boot pit.” Employees were exposed to hazards associated with falling more than four concrete risers, or greater than 76 inches, to the concrete floor below.
Employer Knowledge — All other stairways observed by CSHO had handrails installed. Safety Director stated that he had been through the entire facility, and goes through the facility when he can/has time when at the facility. Employee interview confirmed that Safety Director. goes through facility, and reports to GM.
MOA — ER install partial handrail, was not complete in photographs taken by CSHO Hoffman.
29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is completed.
Penalty — $2,800

The alleged violations below have been grouped because they involve similar, or related hazards that may increase the potential for injury resulting from an accident.

CITATION 1, ITEM 6
SERIOUS VIOLATION
29 CPR 1910.219(d)(I) — Pulleys with parts seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified at 29 CPR 1910.219(m) & (0).
The pulley for the dust collection system motor for the East elevator was not guarded from the operator side of the electrical switch. Employees attempting to start/stop the system were exposed to hazards associated with being caught by the rotating pulley.
Employer Knowledge — Guard was installed on other side of motor, not on readily accessible side or operator side. The on/off switch/button is located on ground level, within arms reach, at a height between CSHO waist to chest high.
MOA — Install guard over pulley on operator side.
29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) Requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is completed.
Penalty — $2,800

CITATION 1, ITEM 6B
SERIOUS VIOLATION
29 CPR 1910.219(e)(I)(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 15 inches above the belt.
The horizontal belt for the dust removal system located at the East’ elevator did not have a guard installed. Employees attempting to start/stop the motor were exposed to in-running nip point hazards from being in close proximity to the unprotected horizontal belt.
Employer Knowledge — Guard was installed on side not accessible to employees attempting to start/stop equipment. Height of belts and pulley are within arms reach, at a height between CSHO waist to chest high.
MOA — Install guard on side not guarded.
29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is completed.
Penalty — $0

CITATION 1, ITEM 7
SERIOUS VIOLATION
29 CPR 1910.303(f)(2) — Each service feeder, and branch circuit, at it disconnecting means or overcurrent device was not legibly marked to indicate its purpose, unless located and arranged so the purpose is evident.
At the establishment in the tire shop, circuit breakers contained in the control panel for the new automotive lift were not marked to indicate their purpose. Breakers for the lift were the only ones to be identified, the other breakers were not. Employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards.
Employer’ Knowledge — All other breaker boxes had individual breakers marked that were observed by CSHO, and new automotive lift breakers were marked. Safety Director makes unscheduled walk troughs of the facility, reporting to General Manager his findings.
MOA — Label breakers to the equipment that they control.
29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is completed.
Penalty — $2,800
Total Penalties — $24,500