Three Rivers Energy facing $149,800 in OSHA fines for 2015 violations

In Ohio, Ohio ethanol production facility faces $149,800 in federal penalties after federal inspectors found multiple violations of chemical and grain-handling standards at Three Rivers Energy LLC.

On May 6, 2016 the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued 42 serious and four other-than serious safety and health violations following three separate inspections at the bio-refinery in November 2015.

Inspectors found Three Rivers Energy’s ethanol production violated OSHA’s process safety management regulations including failing to:

• Develop written procedures for safely conducting tasks in the process, and for maintaining the ongoing integrity of equipment.
• Train operators.
• Correct equipment deficiencies.
• Establish an incident investigation team and maintain accurate records.
• Maintain adequate drawings and diagrams of pipes and instruments used in the chemical process.
• Implement an emergency response plan for the plant and train workers in emergency response procedures.

Other violations included failing to:

• Conduct personal protective equipment assessments.
• Develop procedures and implement permit confined space requirements including testing atmospheric conditions and providing emergency and rescue equipment.
• Train workers on grain bin safety and rescue operations.
• Develop a written housekeeping program to remove grain dust and spills from the work area.
• Install safeguards on machinery and live electrical parts.