December 17, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Nebraska Dairy Company

CLEARWATER, NE – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Thiele Dairy for failing to develop and implement safety and health programs related to grain bin entry after an employee suffered fatal injuries.

OSHA inspectors determined that an operating sweep auger lacerated an employee's leg as he attempted to remove corn from inside a grain bin at the Clearwater, Nebraska, dairy. OSHA cited the company for eight serious violations of the grain bin safety standard, and one other-than-serious violation for failing to report the fatality within the required eight hours.

"Mechanical equipment inside grain storage structures present serious hazards that are well-known in this industry," said OSHA Area Office Acting Director Matthew Thurlby, in Omaha. "This employer's failure to follow safety requirements led to a tragedy that could have been prevented."

The company faces penalties totaling $78,899.

The dairy – jointy owned by brothers Ron, Tom, and Bill Thiele – has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to help ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov.

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Media Contacts:

Scott Allen, 312-353-4727, allen.scott@dol.gov
Rhonda Burke, 312-353-6976, burke.rhonda@dol.gov

Release Number: 18-1905-CHI

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The Department's Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the Department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).