July 30, 2018
U.S. Department of Labor Cites Kansas Grain Bin Operator
WICHITA, KS –
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Gavilon Grain LLC – operator of a grain bin based in Wichita, Kansas – after two workers were fatally engulfed in a soybean storage bin. The company faces proposed penalties of $507,374, and OSHA has placed Gavilon Grain LLC in the Agency’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program.
OSHA cited Gavilon Grain LLC for failing to provide employees with lifelines and fall protection; lockout equipment; provide rescue equipment; and allowing employees to enter a bin in which bridged and/or hung-up grain was present.
“Moving grain acts like quick sand, and can bury a worker in seconds,” said OSHA Regional Administrator Kimberly Stille. “This tragedy could have been prevented if the employer had provided workers with proper safety equipment, and followed required safety procedures to protect workers from grain bin hazards.”
The company has contested the citations and will appear 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 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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Two killed in grain elevator accident were employed by Gavilon Grain
By Kaitlyn Alanis
Updated January 03, 2018 05:53 PM
The two men killed after they were buried under 20 to 25 feet of grain in a grain elevator were both employed by Gavilon Grain, the company confirmed in a written statement.
Gavilon Grain said it was an unfortunate accident that led to the fatality of two of their workers.
The fatal incident was reported just before 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The men were recovered about three hours later from the lower-middle of a 120- to 140-foot-tall concrete grain elevator at Gavilon Grain’s facility in Wichita.
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Immediate family members of both workers have been notified, but the identities of the men have not been made public.
“Our immediate concern is on caring for the families of the workers, conducting our internal investigation and cooperating with the appropriate authorities in their investigation of the incident,” the statement said.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.
OSHA warns that moving grain acts like quicksand and can engulf a person in 22 seconds. Because of the danger, OSHA requires that workers who enter a grain bin wear a body harness with a lifeline.
Gavilon is headquartered in Omaha and provides storage and handling for both customers and suppliers worldwide. The company employs about 1,900 people at nearly 300 locations.
The site of the incident, near 55th South and Hoover Road, is formerly known as DeBruce Grain.
DeBruce Grain merged with Gavilon Grain in 2010. The DeBruce Grain elevator exploded in 1998, killing seven employees and injuring 10.
Since then, most of the grain workers who have died in the United States were killed in single-fatality accidents.
In 2016, the most recent set of data available, there were 29 documented grain-entrapment cases – 11 of which were fatal – according to a study by Purdue University. Each case represents an individual.
The majority of grain entrapment cases occurred in the Midwest, according to the report
Our story continues
Gavilon's history dates back to 1874 when Peavey Company built its first grain facility in Sioux City, Iowa. Plenty has changed since then. Industries have transformed. Business is transacted across the globe. But one thing hasn’t changed: the hardworking spirit that has permeated our company for nearly 140 years.| 1874: | F.H. Peavey & Company is founded in Sioux City, Iowa. |
| 1962: | The company's name is changed to Peavey Company. |
| 1973: | The company goes public. |
| 1982: | Peavey Company is acquired by ConAgra Foods, Inc., making Peavey the largest publicly held grain merchandiser. The company later becomes part of ConAgra Trade Group. |
| 2008: | A group of investors forms Gavilon and acquires ConAgra Trade Group. The acquisition enables the privately held company to focus on its commodity business. |
| 2010: | Gavilon acquires DeBruce Companies, significantly expanding its agricultural operations. |
| 2013: | Marubeni Corporation acquires Gavilon's agriculture business. |