Fines Pile Up for Texas Firm Following Worker's Grain Engulfment
OSHA cited Corpus Christi Grain Co. for six willful and 20 serious violations with total proposed penalties of $258,900.
OSHA has cited Corpus Christi Grain Co. in Corpus Christi, Texas, for six willful and 20 serious violations with total proposed penalties of $258,900. OSHA's Corpus Christi Area Office initiated its inspection at the company's facility after it was reported that a worker was engulfed while emptying grain from a storage bin. The employee was rescued due to the exceptional efforts of the Corpus Christi Fire Department.
"Employees working in grain storage buildings are exposed to dangerous conditions, and proper safety measures must be taken," said Michael Rivera, director of OSHA's Corpus Christi office. "If OSHA's standards were followed, it is possible this unfortunate incident could have been avoided."
The willful violations include failing to provide personal protective equipment, such as a body harness and life line, for employees working with stored grain; perform lockout/tagout procedures for the energy sources of equipment, such as augers and conveyors, while workers are inside the grain bins; and have a competent attendant present with rescue equipment when workers enter grain storage bins.
The serious violations include failing to ensure that employees are trained on the hazards associated with grain handling, cover openings with grates in grain bins, ensure that workroom floors are clear of combustible dust, and provide a preventive maintenance schedule for machinery.