Local business faces $42,000 in OSHA fines

A business within the SEMO Port Authority faces $42,000 in fines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Midwest Grain and Barge Co. received two citations as a result of a March investigation initiated after OSHA received a complaint alleging workers were exposed to grain-handling hazards.

The locally owned and operated grain merchandiser of corn, soybeans, wheat and specialty grains was cited by OSHA for 11 “serious” and two “other-than-serious” violations.

Russ Mothershead, president and CEO of Midwest Grain and Barge Co. said he disagreed with the citations, and said the company intends to challenge them.

According to OSHA, inspectors found areas not kept in a clean and orderly condition and areas where drainage was not maintained. They found instances where equipment was not powered down or locked out to prevent unintentional operation before workers entering grain bins.

OSHA also reported workers were not trained annually on safe grain-handling procedures, nor were they trained about hazardous chemicals in use in the facilities. Equipment and training also were not provided for grain-rescue operations, and personal-protective equipment needs were not evaluated.

“We value all of our employees; they’re some of the biggest assets to our company. Safety is very important to us,” Mothershead said. “We don’t try in any way to run our business in an unsafe manner.”

Rhonda Burke, deputy director for public affairs for the U.S. Department of Labor said Missouri Grain and Barge Co. has 15 days to contest the citations, which were issued May 19.

Burke said the company has not responded to OSHA regarding the citations, but Mothershead said they are preparing to do so.

“We feel like we have a very strong case. We’ll be fine once we go through the process that they have,” Mothershead said. “We feel very positive that we’ll prevail.”

bbrown@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

179 Rushing Road, Scott City, Mo.