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MFA Incorporated fined for grain bin accident

The U.S. Department of Labor says MFA Incorporated, a Missouri-based farm cooperative, could have prevented an accident that happened at a rail facility earlier this year.

Three employees operating as MFA Rail Car were removing corn screenings from a bin in Hamilton, Missouri and one of the workers entered the bin to clean, became engulfed when screenings shifted and died. Another worker tried to save the co-worker, but was engulfed to his waist in grain before being rescued by first responders.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited MFA Incorporated 6 violations and the co-op has more than $241,000 in proposed penalties for lacking adequate rescue equipment and not following workplace safety requirements.

MFA Incorporated has responded to the OSHA violations.

President Ernie Verslues says safety continues to be a foundational part of the co-op’s operations and injury or loss of live is never acceptable…He says there are regular safety training programs for all employees, safety protocol compliance and ongoing facility and equipment maintenance and inspections.

Verslues says the co-op takes exception with certain allegations in OSHA’s citation, especially that any alleged violation could be characterized as willful and MFA will continue to work with OSHA to address any safety issues and resolve the citations.

He says MFA will continue engage with OSHA and other regulatory agencies to ensure facilities are compliant and operate safely and the co-op is partnering with OSHA for a regional safety program for Grain Handling Facilities.