Text For Citation: 03 Item/Group: 002 Hazard:

29 CFR 1917.23(b)(1): The employer did not ensure that a properly equipped designated person tested the atmosphere in rooms, buildings, vehicles, railcars, or other spaces that contains or had contained a hazardous atmosphere, prior to employee entry to determine whether a hazardous atmosphere existed: a) At the facility, Silo 1: On February 24, 2017 the designated person was not properly equipped and did not test the silo atmosphere prior to employees entering to conduct wood pellet cargo reclaiming, exposing employees to an asphyxiation hazard. b) At the facility, Silo 2: On February 24, 2017 the designated person was not properly equipped and did not test the silo atmosphere prior to employees entering to conduct wood pellet cargo reclaiming, exposing employees to an asphyxiation hazard. c) At the facility, Silo 1: On February 25, 2017 the designated person was not properly equipped and did not test the silo atmosphere prior to employees entering to conduct wood pellet cargo reclaiming, exposing employees to an asphyxiation hazard. d) At the facility, Silo 2: On February 25, 2017 the designated person was not properly equipped and did not test the silo atmosphere prior to employees entering to conduct wood pellet cargo reclaiming, exposing employees to an asphyxiation hazard. e) At the facility, Silo 1: On February 26, 2017 the designated person was not properly equipped and did not test the silo atmosphere prior to employees entering to conduct wood pellet cargo reclaiming, exposing employees to an asphyxiation hazard. f) At the facility, Silo 2: On February 26, 2017 the designated person was not properly equipped and did not test the silo atmosphere prior to employees entering to conduct wood pellet cargo reclaiming, exposing employees to an asphyxiation hazard. g) At the facility, Silo 1: On February 27, 2017 the designated person was not properly equipped and did not test the silo atmosphere prior to employees entering to conduct wood pellet cargo reclaiming, exposing employees to an asphyxiation hazard. h) At the facility, in the Pit Area: On April 15, 2017 and times thereafter, the designated person was not properly equipped and did not test the pit area atmosphere prior to employees entering to pump fire suppression cooling water, exposing employees to an asphyxiation hazard. German Pellets Texas, LLC was previously cited for a violation of an equivalent Occupational Safety and Health Standard 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(5)(ii)(c), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 950187, citation number 01, item number 001/b and was affirmed as a final order on 5/16/2014, with respect to a workplace located at Port of Port Arthur, 498-A West Lakeshore Dr., Port Arthur, TX 77640.