Biofuels Journal - January/February 2009 - (Page 14)

Electrical, Bin Entry Violations Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space Top OSHA Ethanol Violations tion in 2008 at ethanol plants was for walking/working surfaces (three). “This ties into a lot of different exposures and relies on the applicable building code as well as OSHA requirements, when the plant was designed,” Patin noted. Some of the standards cited included those related to housekeeping, aisles and guardrails, loading specifications, ladders, and railing, as well as floors with openings or holes. PSM Topped 2007 Lockout/tagout (illustrated above) and confined space issues topped the 2008 violations at ethanol plants inspected by OSHA in 2008 with four violations for each category. Of the 12 ethanol plants inspected by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 2008, four plants were cited for lockout/tagout violations and four were cited for confined space violations. Inorder to not be one of those plants to be inspected in 2009, ethanol producers are encouraged to revisit and review their individual safety and health policies and/or programs to ensure no hazards are present, according to Jon Puetz, safety and health consultant for OSHA at the South Dakota State University (SDSU) College of Engineering, Brookings, (605-688-5741). “Ethanol plants have to have in-depth lockout/tagout procedures for complex systems,” Puetz said. “Also, lockout/tagout devices need to be affixed to a disconnect in its off position. This standard is cited quite often by OSHA at many companies.” He said each authorized staff member must have individual locks unless the company policy allows group lockout/tagout. “This type of hazard is very serious,” Puetz said, adding that improper proce- dures and/or training may lead to serious injury, permanent disability or death. Confined Space Violations The top 2008 violations are different from 2007 when the top violation was for process safety management (PSM). “In 2007 OSHA had five PSM violations cited and four lockout/tagout violations,” Puetz said. Puetz and Patin inspect plants in the South Dakota area but believe those plants exemplify the ethanol industry across the United States. Confined space violations can be just as dangerous as lockout/tagout, according to Albert Patin, another OSHA consultant at SDSU. “One of the keys to proper confined space procedures is that employers must post signs and develop detailed written procedures and training methods that identify confined spaces,” Patin said. “Another citation is not having a rescue team or service capable of reaching the site and having appropriate rescue equipment for confined spaces,” he added. If the local rescue team is not equipped and trained properly, one remedy is for the company to train and equip an on-site team made up of its own employees. Walking/Working Surfaces “Another citation is not having a rescue team or service capable of reaching the site or having appropriate rescue equipment for confined spaces.” - Albert Patin, OSHA consultant The third highest OSHA-cited viola- “We have seen such professionalism and true management planning in trying to have a very proactive safety program that includes PSM,” Puetz said. For further infor mation, visit: www.osha.gov. Myke Feinman, editor 14 BFJ | JAN/FEB 09 http://www.osha.gov

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Biofuels Journal - January/February 2009

Biofuels Journal - January/February 2009 Contents Safety Training Expanding Safety Pays Top 2008 OSHA Citations Ethanol Terminal Safety Preventing Falls Fighting Ethanol Fires Biodiesel Safety Bridgeport Ethanol John Kruse, Global Insight Barley Ethanol New DDGS Market—Fish Mary Beth Stanek, General Motors RINs As Commodity POET BioRefining Ethanol Pipeline—Florida DDGS Causing E. coli Community College Biofuels Ethanol Plants in the Pipeline State Report: Ohio Ethanol World Profile: Adam Dunlap, BlueFire Ethanol When to Harvest Switchgrass, Miscanthus Indirect Land Use Change Profile: Greg Olson, POET-Corning Growth Energy Monthly Ethanol Production Case Study: Fuelzyme Ethanol Industry News Greg Poe, Ethanol Pilot Sponsored by Fagen Inc. Blackhawk Biodiesel Biodiesel Roundup Biodiesel World Peanut Biodiesel Pennycress Biodiesel Radish Biodiesel Profile: Joe Korpi, Renewable Energy Group Biodiesel Convention NBB Eye on Biodiesel Awards Calendar of Events Cellulosic Ethanol Plants Under Construction Cellulosic Ethanol Plants Construction Map Breaking Cellulosic Ground Show Me’s Collecting Biomass Inland Empire Oilseeds POET’s Project Liberty Update Vermeer’s Cob Harvester Iowa State Cob Harvest Research Europe’s Energy Parks Imported Deere Cob Harvest Kit/Case IH Coskata Sugar/Mascoma Update Range Fuels Update Tom Warne, Schutte-Buffalo Hammermill University of Illinois Biofuels Master’s Roger Ladig, Laidig Systems, Inc. Miscanthus vs. Switchgrass Biofuels Automation Scott Martin, LeMar Industries Biodiesel Financing EISENMANN Corp. GATX / Beta Tec ProSonics / S.K. Patil DOE Grant Action Unloaders Ad Index

Biofuels Journal - January/February 2009

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