Fall into grain bin kills employee; OSHA issues fine

December 28, 2010 by Fred Hosier

Posted in: Fatality, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, OSHA news, Who Got Fined and Why?

A grain elevator company faces $75,000 in OSHA fines following the death of a worker.

In June 2010, 21-year-old Brett Spressor died after falling about 50 feet into a hole at the top of a grain elevator owned by CHS, Inc., dba United Plains Ag Co-op in Weskan, KS. The bin was half-full of grain at the time.

OSHA issued one willful citation for violation of fall protection requirements, specifically unguarded hatchways and floor chute openings. The agency also issued a serious citation that addresses machinery hazards associated with unguarded sprocket wheels and chains.

CHS has 15 days to decide whether to contest the fines.

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Tags: fall kills employee, grain elevator, open hatchways

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