Grain bin death leads to OSHA fines of $158,250

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/03/28/news/doc47ed5a135ff12497541803.txt

Regional Digest for March 29, 2008:

MAZON — The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed fines against a Mazon-based grain handling company after OSHA found seven violations during an investigation that followed an accidental death in September 2007.

OSHA proposed a fine of $158,250 against Access Ag Inc., which also has sites in Livingston County, an OSHA statement said.

Access CEO Sean Garkey, 33, of Ottawa died Sept. 25 after being sucked into a grain elevator filled with soybeans.

The company has 15 business days to comply with the recommendation, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations and penalties.

Access Ag Inc. operates as a corporation in Mazon, Ransom, Dwight and Odell. The grain co-op includes some 2,000 landowners and farmers.