Inspection Detail

Inspection: 301008272 - Farmers Co-Op Elevator & Mercantile Association

Inspection Information - Office: Wichita Area Office

Inspection Nr: 301008272

Report ID: 0729700

Date Opened: 02/04/1997

Site Address:
Farmers Co-Op Elevator & Mercantile Association
8 Mi. E. Of Dighton On Hwy 96
Alamota, KS 67839

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 909, Dighton, KS 67839

Union Status: NonUnion

SIC:5153

NAICS: 0

Inspection Type: Accident

Scope: Partial

Advanced Notice: Y

Ownership: Private

Safety/Health: Safety

Close Conference: 02/05/1997

Emphasis:

Case Closed: 08/20/1999

Related Activity
Type	Activity Nr	Safety	Health
Accident	101340164

Violation Summary
Violations/Penalties	Serious	Willful	Repeat	Other	Unclass	Total
Initial Violations	3	3				6
Current Violations	2				3	5
Initial Penalty	$6,000	$84,000	$0	$0	$0	$90,000
Current Penalty	$2,200	$0	$0	$0	$75,600	$77,800
FTA Penalty	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0

Violation Items
#	Citation ID	Citaton Type	Standard Cited	Issuance Date	Abatement Due Date	Current Penalty	Initial Penalty	FTA Penalty	Latest Event	Note
1.	01001	Serious	19100272 E02	07/31/1997	08/29/1997	$2,000	$2,000	$0	I - Informal Settlement	Citation has been deleted.
2.	01002	Serious	19100272 G01 I	07/31/1997	08/29/1997	$1,200	$2,000	$0	I - Informal Settlement
3.	01003	Serious	19100272 G01 III	07/31/1997	08/29/1997	$1,000	$2,000	$0	I - Informal Settlement
4.	02001	Unclass	19100272 G01 IV	07/31/1997	08/29/1997	$25,200	$28,000	$0	I - Informal Settlement
5.	02002	Unclass	19100272 G02	07/31/1997	08/29/1997	$25,200	$28,000	$0	I - Informal Settlement
6.	02003	Unclass	19100272 G03	07/31/1997	08/29/1997	$25,200	$28,000	$0	I - Informal Settlement

Investigation Summary

Investigation Nr: 14416424

Event: 02/03/1997

EMPLOYEE KILLED WHEN BURIED IN GRAIN ELEVATOR BIN

A 500,000-bushel grain elevator that was staffed by a single employee had problems with milo flowing in one of its bins. The lone employee, a branch manager, called for a second person to help him free the grain. An elevator operator who had frequently worked at that elevator arrived to help. The manager measured the grain to be 34 meters (111 feet) from the top of the bin. From this measurement, he estimated the depth of the grain to be 1 meter (3 feet). The manager decided to use sewer tape to try to free the grain. The operator donned a safety belt and rope, which was tied to a pulley system located on the bin just outside the manhole entry. However, the rope was not drawn tight, and there was too much slack in it. While the operator was in the bin, the manager went to the boot to run the sewer tape up through the chute and hopper. When the manager returned to the floor level, he discovered that the operator had been covered by the grain. The manager then tried to pull the injured employee out but failed. The manager then called for emergency medical services and returned to the bin. He tried to rescue the injured employee with a shovel but was again unsuccessful. Emergency medical services arrived and, 4 hours later, freed the injured employee from the bin. According to rescue personnel, there was about 3 meters (10 feet) of grain at the unsloped portion of the bin where the injured employee was found. The grain was apparently deeper there than it was near the edge of the bin. The employee, who had been buried under about 2.1 meters (7 feet) of grain, was pronounced dead at the scene. He had suffocated. The employees failed to follow entry permit procedures for the entry, and the employer's training of the employees in confined space entry procedures was inadequate.

Keywords: LIFELINE, CONFINED SPACE, SUFFOCATED, GRAIN, FLOWING MATERIAL, GRAIN ELEVATOR, BURIED, GRAIN BIN

Investigated Inspection
#	Inspection	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	301008272			Fatality	Asphyxia	Laborers, except construction

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