OSHA’s grain safety outreach and enforcment campaign is a result of a record number of grain entrapments in 2010 that resulted in the death of 31 workers nationwide.
Of the 19 citations issued by OSHA against CHS, 14 are considered “serious.” Funke said CHS failed to test the air quality for hazardous gases and combustible dust. Other serious violations include inadequate confined space entry and recovery procedures. A press release by OSHA explains this can result in immediate death, incapacitation or impede the ability to be rescued.
They also found inadequate machine guarding, which exposes workers to amputations and lacerations and obstructed exit routes, which can lead to entrapment.
CHS still has an opportunity to meet with OSHA officials and correct the violations.