Fall into grain bin kills employee; OSHA issues fine

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.

Fred Hosier

Fred Hosier is the editor of Safety News Alert and has spent more than 20 years covering safety. He's been in the communications business since 1985, including 11 years in radio.