The sugarbeet factory in Billings, Mont., faces more than $100,000 in fines for hazardous conditions, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Western Sugar Cooperative, which is based in Denver, was cited by OSHA for a total of nine safety violations found during a January inspection of the Billings facility.
Five of the violations are deemed “serious,” and four are considered “repeat.”
The proposed penalties are $115,900, which the company will have to pay if it does not comply with the safety standards in the next 15 days.
The last time the company was cited for safety hazards was in 2013, when it was fined $117,000.
The serious issues are related to fall hazards, unguarded floor holes and concerns about the electrical equipment.
The complaint states that every floor hole that was big enough for a person to accidentally fall through was not covered.
The company was also cited because the inspection found that certain parts of machinery were exposed, creating amputation hazards.
Another “serious” issue is the exposure of employees to explosion and fire hazards.
The concerns designated as “repeat” offenses relate to excessive accumulations of combustible coal dust, unguarded projecting shaft ends, open electrical junction boxes and temporary wiring.
“Western Sugar Cooperative should have been addressing these hazards before OSHA got involved,” said Art Hazen, OSHA’s area director in Billings. “The violations are particularly frustrating given that these are some of same hazards we found during a prior investigation.”
Source: www.kbzk.com