PEORIA, Ill. – The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Region 5 Peoria office handles the most grain elevator inspections of any regional office in a five-state region. During the recent Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association annual conference in Peoria, area director Ed Marshall spoke to owners and operators of elevators and large farms about the role his office plays in keeping employees safe from harm, and the importance of maintaining OSHA safety standards in the workplace.

“We handle more complaint activity than any other office, so a lot of our inspections are generated (that way),” Marshall said. “These complaints come from current employees, former employees, contractors or other agencies. This often triggers one of our emphasis programs, which results in an inspection.”

Marshall encouraged employers to be vigilant about workplace safety when it comes to heat, which is one of OSHA’s national 2024 emphasis programs. Other areas of emphasis include falls, excavations, amputation hazards, lead, silica, warehousing and combustible dust. Specific Region 5 areas of emphasis are expanded to include powered industrial vehicles, grain handling, building renovations, tank cleaning and excess noise levels.

“This past year we had several instances of high heat, and OSHA, as you are probably aware, does not have temperature-related standards. But there has been a push from Congress and the public to ask OSHA to come up with a rulemaking process that would address not only heat, but cold weather reports as well,” said Marshall, who grew up on his family’s farm in LaSalle County, Ill.

“Last year we began issuing recommendations regarding heat breaks, maybe starting earlier in the day and finishing earlier, and other issues we’ve identified. As we get to the summer months you will want to avail yourself of any of the resources OSHA has put out there regarding our heat program, and begin educating your employees,” he added.

Region 5 is home to the most OSHA grain elevator inspection officers in the region. Bin entry issues, air contaminants and improper lock out-tag out techniques are among the top violations the officers encounter. “There have been a number of high-level violations that have resulted in significant fines from OSHA, from $600,000 to $1 million for repeat violations,” Marshall said.

The Region 5 director also informed the employers of the importance of providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees engaging in hazardous work. PPE can include safety glasses, goggles, face shields, hard hats, safety shoes, gloves, coveralls, bibs and vests. First, employers should assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of PPE. Once the proper PPE has been selected, the employer must provide training to each employee who is required to use PPE.

“Conduct an assessment of what can be hazardous in your workplace, and develop a plan to provide the proper PPE to your employees, train them on the use of that PPE, and ensure that they know how to use it properly,” Marshall advised. “Employees required to use PPE must know at least the following: when PPE is necessary, what type of PPE is necessary, how to properly put on, take off, adjust, and wear PPE, limitations of the PPE and proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal.”

Marshall noted that local emergency response organizations should coordinate with employers in their jurisdictions to ensure they are prepared to respond to and safely perform rescue operations as needed at worksites that may pose unique or particularly hazardous conditions for emergency responders.

“This may include preparing, training, and exercising capabilities for response and rescue operations at steep angles or heights, such as in pits, tanks, manholes, boilers, furnaces, silos, hoppers, vaults, pipes, ducts, and bins or on slopes, communication towers, or other tall structures, including those under construction; in confined spaces, trenches, or underground; and over, near, or in water of various depths,” according to OSHA.

“Such operations may require special engineering and administrative controls, work practices, and PPE to protect emergency response and recovery workers. Employers may need to select and provide workers with, for example, special safety harnesses, ropes or cables, and respirators and cartridges appropriate for the hazards they may encounter.”

Marshall wrapped up his presentation with a “top 10” list of most cited standards by OSHA during 2023. The violations, in order of frequency, were:

1. Fall Protection – General Requirements

2. Hazard Communication

3. Ladders

4. Scaffolding

5. Powered Industrial Trucks

6. Lockout/Tagout

7. Respiratory Protection

8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements

9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection

10. Machine Guarding

“Fall hazards have been our top violation for what seems like forever, with 2,000 to 3,000 reports per year,” Marshall said. For OSHA program updates, visit www.osha.gov.