- Alliance Background
Date Signed:
December 27, 2005
Alliance Overview.
OSHA, Onsite Consultation and the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois (GFAI)
formed an Alliance to provide the GFAI members and others with information,
guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect
employees’ health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure
to falls, confined space hazards, fire hazards and amputation hazards. The
alliance in 2008 focused on developing suitable bin entry procedures, installing
or repairing machine guarding controls, electrical safety, controlling fall
hazards, and ensuring an understanding of combustible dust hazards.
Implementation Team Members.
Peggy Zweber, Compliance Assistance Specialist (CAS) with the Peoria OSHA Office
and John Lee, Grain and Feed Association of Illinois Safety Director began the
year as the implementation team members. Brian Bothast, Peoria OSHA Office CAS
assumed the leadership duties for the implementation of this alliance in January
2008.
- Implementation Team Meetings
January 7, 2008 – Brian Bothast contacted John Lee to address the lack of
results over the last two years and determine if the alliance should be
terminated or something could be done to re-invigorate the alliance.
January 25, 2008 – Brian Bothast met with the GFAI Board of Directors and GFAI
Executive Director to address the current status of the alliance and address
options for moving forward. Following the meeting with the GFAI Board, Brian
Bothast and John Lee held an implementation team meeting to evaluate possible
focus areas and discuss possible outreach activities for 2008.
March 31, 2008 - John Lee and Brian Bothast organized the session topics for the
outreach sessions for GFAI members in June, 2008, and initiated the development
of a bin entry permit to assist facilities in identifying and controlling
hazards prior to entry.
- Activities and Products
Evaluation Period.
December 27, 2007 to December 27, 2008.
Alliance Activity.
On January 25, 2008, Brian Bothast addressed the GFAI Board of Directors and
GFAI Executive Director to address the alliance, the Voluntary Protection
Program and OSHA emphasis programs.
On February 18, 2008, Brian Bothast provided a presentation at the Grain and
Feed Association of Illinois Annual Statewide Conference. Brian discussed OSHA’s
inspection and citation development process, the national and local emphasis
programs and the pandemic flu guidelines.
April 28, 2008 – John Lee and Brian Bothast finalized a new bin entry permit for
participants at the outreach sessions in June 2008.
On June 3, 2008, John Lee and Brian Bothast provided presentations at the McLean
County Farm Bureau Building in Bloomington, IL. The sessions addressed bin
entry, machine guarding, fall protection, electrical safety, and combustible
dust.
On June 11, 2008, John Lee and Brian Bothast provided presentations at the
Mendota Civic Center on bin entry, machine guarding, fall protection, electrical
safety, and combustible dust.
Alliance Products.
In 2008, Brian Bothast and John Lee worked together to develop a bin entry
permit to assist members in developing suitable bin entry procedures to ensure
the safe entry for all entrants. See bin entry permit following this evaluation.
- Results
|
Type of Activity |
Number of Individuals Reached or Trained |
|
Grain and Feed Association of Illinois Annual Statewide Conference |
44 |
|
GFAI outreach training sessions in Bloomington |
80 |
|
GFAI outreach training sessions in Mendota, IL. |
40 |
|
The new bin entry permit was sent out twice by email and once by U.S. mail
from the GFAI to 250 companies (900 facilities). |
250 |
| TOTAL |
414 |
In addition to the outreach sessions, the GFAI and OSHA requested participants
return to their worksites and make an effort to control specific hazards that
were discussed. The following chart details hazards that 91 participants
reported back to the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois that they had
addressed.
Fall Protection Hazards Eliminated .......... 189 Total
A. Handrails added or repaired 37
B. Fixed Ladders repaired 72
C. Portable ladders (removed from service) 55
D. Fall Arrest Equipment purchased 25
Machine Guarding Hazards Eliminated .......... 148 Total
A. New machine guards installed 72
B. Existing machine guards repaired 76
Electrical Hazards Eliminated 442 .......... Total
A. Equipment removed from service 145
B. Equipment repaired or replaced 138
C. Comprehensive inspection 102
D. Extension cords removed from service 57
Bin Entry .......... 57 Total
A. Implemented permit system 18
B New equipment purchased 13
C. Other improvement made to program 26
Total Actions .......... 836
- Upcoming Milestones
Through work with the GFAI, Brian Bothast was selected to speak at the National
Grain Elevator and Processing Society Conference at the convention center in St.
Louis, Missouri in 2009.
Report prepared by: Brian Bothast
Grain Bin/Silo Entry Checklist
|
Issue |
Action |
Verified by |
| Has all
mechanical energy been locked out? |
|
|
| Has all
electrical energy been locked out? |
|
|
| Has all
pneumatic equipment been locked out? |
|
|
| If there is
potential for combustible gas, vapors or toxic agents, if yes, has it been
tested? |
|
|
| If there is
any potential the grain to be waist high, what method will be used to
protect workers from the engulfment hazard? |
|
|
|
Employees shall not enter bins, silos, tanks or flat storage where there is
a bridging condition, grain on the sides that could bury them or any
engulfment hazard. |
| If worker
enters, is an observer in communication? |
|
|
| Is rescue
equipment provided and specifically suited for entry? |
|
|
| Is the
observer trained and able to initiate rescue? |
|
|
| Participants |
Name |
Signature |
| Entrant(s) |
|
|
|
Observer/Rescue |
|
|
|
As the responsible person I am familiar with the hazards of the space and
have verified that precautions are in place to protect workers entering the
space |
| Responsible
person |
|
|
|
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