An OSHA investigation has determined that an Illinois grain company experienced two safety incidents within five months of each other. In February, a worker was trapped in a grain bin for five hours, and in July, an employee suffered a severe leg injury that required a partial leg amputation. The investigation determined that Littlejohn Grain Inc. failed to de-energize and lock out an auger before allowing the worker to enter the bin, in addition to not testing the bin for oxygen content and exposing the worker to a fall hazard above dangerous equipment. The company faces two willful violations and one serious violation for the July incident. The grain company will have to pay $115,855 in penalties. Littlejohn Grain was also cited for 21 violations following the incident in February.
In a recent quote, OSHA Area Director Edward Marshall said, “Twice in less than six months, employees were endangered, one of whom suffered injuries with lifelong consequences. The grain elevator’s operator could have protected its employees by following federal and industry-recommended safety procedures.”