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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 1551959.015 - Heartland Co-Op
Inspection Information - Office: Lubbock Area Office
Site Address:
Heartland Co-Op
503 Gardner Ave
Bovina, TX 79009
Mailing Address:
2829 Westtown Pkwy Suite 350, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:
NAICS: 424510/Grain and Field Bean Merchant Wholesalers
Inspection Type: Fat/Cat
Scope: Complete
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 09/08/2021
Emphasis: P:Grain, L:Grain
Case Closed: 02/28/2022
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 1808092 | ||
| Inspection | 1551962 | Yes |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 3 | 3 | ||||
| Current Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $43,506 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $43,506 |
| Current Penalty | $20,303 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $20,303 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001A | Serious | 19100272 G01 I | 01/19/2022 | 02/16/2022 | $10,152 | $14,502 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 2. | 01001B | Serious | 19100272 G04 | 01/19/2022 | 02/16/2022 | $0 | $14,502 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19100272 G05 | 01/19/2022 | 02/16/2022 | $10,151 | $14,502 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
At 3:00 p.m. on September 7, 2021, Employee #1 and three coworkers were cleaning the inside of a corn silo. Employee #1 worked for the facility, and the three coworkers worked for a staffing company. The four-person crew had been performing this work on various bins for the past two weeks. They were using a Christianson Systems, Inc. model 6068-D vacuum to remove the corn from a silo that was 24' by 147' tall. When they began work on this silo, Employee #1 and Coworkers #1 and #2 noticed the bin was filled higher than expected when they opened the side hatch and corn fell out. They called the lead, Coworker #3, to discuss what to do next. They decided that Coworker #1 would go below the silo to open the spout so that corn could start draining, and Employee #1 would use the vacuum to suck the corn out through the side hatch. Coworker #3 reminded the crew not to enter the bin until the corn level dropped, and then Coworker #3 left the work area. Coworker #1 operated the vacuum, Coworker #2 monitored the side hatch, and Employee #1 entered the bin with the vacuum hose to remove the corn. Soon after entering the bin, Employee #1 sank into the corn and was engulfed. Coworker #2 notified Coworker #1 and then ran to get Coworker #3. While Coworker #2 was away, Coworker #1 entered the silo and attempted to dig out Employee #1, but he was unsuccessful and soon exited the silo. First responders arrived onsite approximately ten minutes later. Employee #1 was retrieved from the bin, but first responders were unable to resuscitate him. Employee #1 was killed when he was crushed and suffocated by the corn.
Keywords: Cleaning, Confined Space, Corn, Crushed, Engulfed, Grain, Grain Bin, Hatch, Silo, Suffocated, Tank Cleaning, Vacuum Cleaner
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1551959.015 | 51 | M | Fatality | Equipment Operator: Heavy |