World Grain - January 2018 - 12

NEWSREVIEW

DOL, Bartlett reach settlement in grain elevator explosion case
ATCHISON, KANSAS, U.S. - The U.S. Department of Labor
(DOL) announced on Dec. 20 that the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) and Bartlett Grain Co. have agreed
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a result of a dust explosion that occurred in 2011 at Bartlett's grain
elevator in Atchison, Kansas, killing six workers.
OSHA had proposed $406,000 in penalties against Bartlett Grain,
which is based in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S., and another $67,500 in
penalties against Kansas Grain Inspection Services Inc., a contractor
employed by Bartlett Grain. As part of the settlement agreement,
Bartlett Grain has agreed to pay a penalty of $182,000 and to withdraw
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The explosion, which occurred on Oct. 29, 2011, killed six men
and injured two. At the time of the explosion, the bins were about
two-thirds full of mostly corn. Workers were loading grain onto a
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marshal. It blew the head house off the top of the elevator and blasted
a hole in the side of the concrete structure. In April 2012, OSHA cited
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willful violations include allowing grain dust to accumulate, using
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sources, jogging (repeatedly starting and stopping) inside bucket
elevators to free legs choked by grain, using electrical equipment
inappropriate for the working environment and failing to require
employees to use fall protection when working from heights.
On Nov. 10, 2016, Tom Beall, acting U.S. attorney for the District
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evidence to support criminal charges against Bartlett Grain Co.

The DOL said Bartlett Grain has completed the abatement of
several items in the OSHA citations and has agreed to perform
additional abatement during the three-year length of the corporatewide settlement agreement, including implementing additional
safeguards, training, and audit procedures at its 20 grain handling
facilities in six states.
"By agreeing to the terms of this settlement, Bartlett Grain Co. has
made a commitment to invest in its employees and work with OSHA
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nationwide," said Kimberly Stille, a regional administrator at OSHA.
The DOL said the agreement requires Bartlett to review its safety
and health management system and consult with industry experts
to conduct a detailed audit of the system's effectiveness. Bartlett
also will give its internal safety manager authority to stop unsafe
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processing equipment; update its housekeeping and preventative
maintenance programs; enhance its training procedures; and report
to OSHA on a quarterly basis throughout the term of the agreement.
The company has agreed to work with OSHA, the Grain Elevator
and Processing Society, and the National Grain and Feed Association
to educate employees on hazards and share best practices for
employee training and education, the DOL said. In addition, Bartlett
will supplement its annual employee grain training with outreach
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community members, including independent farmers, following any
grain engulfment incidents within a 60-mile radius of any one of
their facilities for a period of three years.

Cargill considering major port project in Brazil
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL - Cargill has submitted environmental studies with the Department of Environment and Sustainability (SEMAS)
of Para related to the construction of a new grain port terminal in Baía
do Capim, in the city of Abaetetuba, Brazil.
"Like other exporter companies in Brazil, Cargill considers that
Barcarena is a strategic region to transport grains," said Clythio Backx
van Buggenhout, director of ports for Cargill.
Buggenhout said Baía do Capim was chosen as a potential port
site in part because its location appears to ensure a safe and effective operation, such as appropriate depth and feasible access
for barges, as well as lower exposure to winds and waves that are

important factors for safe operations in the region.
Cargill has said it will invest approximately 700 million reais
(U.S.$212 million) in the port project, which would have the capacity
to handle about six million tonnes of grains per year. Operations would
start up at the port between 2022 and 2025, depending on demand and
other strategic decisions, Cargill said.
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implementation and 300 during other phases.
"For Cargill, Northern region is essential and, in this regard, a port
in the region of Barcarena will complete the company's logistics matrix in Rota Norte," Buggenhout said.

January 2018 / World Grain / www.World-Grain.com

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World Grain - January 2018

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