Grantsburg (WQOW) – After an investigation into the death of a Burnett Dairy Cooperative employee, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety Health Administration identified two willful and eight serious safety violations at the dairy.
In November of 2014, a Burnett Dairy employee was attempting to unclog a sump when he was engulfed by corn and died in a grain bin. OSHA inspectors found that Burnett Dairy did not follow safety standards for entering grain bins. In a press release, OSHA said the company failed to deactivate a drag conveyor and allowed the worker to be in the bin while the corn was moving.
“Many people lost a loved one and friend that day,” Mark Hysell, OSHA’s area director in Eau Claire, said. “It takes seconds to become trapped in flowing grain.”
According to OSHA, the inspection found Burnett Dairy exposed the worker to engulfment hazards by not following required grain handling and energy control procedures. OSHA also said the company violated confined space regulations by failing to have an attendant trained in confined space rescue for the worker while inside the grain bin.
OSHA proposed penalties of $193,200 and placed the company in its Sever Violator Enforcement Program. Burnett has 15 business days to comply, contest or request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director.
“Burnett Dairy is familiar with the precautions to protect its workers, but failed to follow them,” Hysell said. “Life or limb should never be the cost of doing business.”
By: Emily Van Ort, Internet Director
Source: WQOW