The specific list of most common dairy violations varies from state to state, but not by much, says Blane Adams, a loss control specialist with Winton Ireland Strom & Green insurance agency in Turlock, Calif. He adds that every state does have two things in common:
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1. Most violations are easily preventable.
2. All can bring steep fines – some reaching into five figures – if they're found during an OSHA inspection.
Here is Adams' list (in order) of the most common dairy violations in California, based upon actual inspection reports from CAL-OSHA:
1. Not having a written and active Injury Illness Prevention Program that workers are aware of, trained for, and kept informed about.
2. Not having a written and active Heat Illness Prevention Program that workers are aware of, trained for, and kept informed about.
3. Not having employee washing and toilet facilities that are in good working order.
4. Open electrical boxes and circuit breakers, missing wire insulation, or circuits not properly labeled.
5. Not having adequate sanitary and accessible first aid supplies.
6. Not immediately (within eight hours) reporting any serious worker injury or death to the district OSHA office.
7. Failing to provide hazardous materials training and protection devices to employees or not maintaining material safety data sheet (MSDS) binders.
8. Failing to have and display a copy of the Permit to Operate Air Compressor sheet at each permanent and portable pressurized vessel on the farm.
9. Not having a written and active Control of Hazardous Energy Program that workers are aware of, trained for, and kept informed about.
10. Failing to operate and maintain equipment safety. Typical violations include not having PTO guards, rollover protective structures, or seat belts; jumping off equipment; and having extra riders on equipment.
2. All can bring steep fines – some reaching into five figures – if they're found during an OSHA inspection.
Here is Adams' list (in order) of the most common dairy violations in California, based upon actual inspection reports from CAL-OSHA:
1. Not having a written and active Injury Illness Prevention Program that workers are aware of, trained for, and kept informed about.
2. Not having a written and active Heat Illness Prevention Program that workers are aware of, trained for, and kept informed about.
3. Not having employee washing and toilet facilities that are in good working order.
4. Open electrical boxes and circuit breakers, missing wire insulation, or circuits not properly labeled.
5. Not having adequate sanitary and accessible first aid supplies.
6. Not immediately (within eight hours) reporting any serious worker injury or death to the district OSHA office.
7. Failing to provide hazardous materials training and protection devices to employees or not maintaining material safety data sheet (MSDS) binders.
8. Failing to have and display a copy of the Permit to Operate Air Compressor sheet at each permanent and portable pressurized vessel on the farm.
9. Not having a written and active Control of Hazardous Energy Program that workers are aware of, trained for, and kept informed about.
10. Failing to operate and maintain equipment safety. Typical violations include not having PTO guards, rollover protective structures, or seat belts; jumping off equipment; and having extra riders on equipment.
