Columbia Grain, Choteau, Montana
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Columbia Grain Inc. in Choteau, MT, with two repeat and six serious violations for hazardous conditions found during a general scheduled inspection of the grain handling facility. OSHA has proposed fines totaling $60,390.
“Columbia Grain failed to provide its employees with a safe and healthful workplace,” said Christine A. Webb, OSHA’s area office director in Billings. “The hazards discovered during this inspection are well recognized in the grain handling industry and must be corrected.”
The serious violations are deficiencies in fall protection, inadequate housekeeping in areas where combustible dust build-up had exceeded allowable limits and a lack of emergency action procedures. A serious citation is issued when there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
The repeat violations, similar to violations for which the same company was cited in September 2010, are deficiencies involving confined space entry procedures and unclassified electrical equipment used in areas where combustible dust hazards exist. A repeat violation is issued when an employer has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the previous five years.