OSHA emphasis program finds 22 violations at Texas feed manufacturer

Employer’s name: CPE Feeds Inc.
2102 Lubbock Road
Brownfield, Texas

Citations issued: Nov. 28, 2016

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspected CPE Feeds in June 2016 as part of the Regional Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities. The agency cited the company, which manufactures feed and sells used agricultural machinery for processing feed, for failing to provide a safe working environment for its employees. OSHA inspectors identified 22 violations including:

• Lack of guarding on machines.
• Exposed energized wires.
• Lack of guarding on runways and platforms.
• Lack of handrails on stairwells.
• Welding cylinders not properly stored.
• Fire extinguishers not kept in designated locations.
• Using flexible cords as fixed wiring.
• Not providing hearing protection.

Proposed Penalties: $83,059

Quote: “As an employer, CPE Feeds must protect its employees from amputation, electrocution and grain- handling hazards. It must also train its workers in how to work safely,” said Elizabeth Linda Routh, OSHA’s area director in Lubbock. “Our emphasis program will continue to target the industry and CPE Feeds until safety becomes part of a critical part of this company’s culture.”

View citations at: https://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/CPEFeeds_1152337.pdf

Information: CPE Feeds has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency’s Lubbock Area Office at 806-472-7681.