J. R. Simplot Company: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Mar 29, 2018 (fatal): Employee operating an atv is struck by a vehicle and is kill

At 7:30 a.m. on March 29,2018, an employee was operating an ATV on a public roadway. The employee did not stop at a posted intersection. The employee was struck on the side by an oncoming vehicle with the right of way. The employee sustained a fractured pelvis and head injuries and died.

Incident on Jul 19, 2017: Employee enters confined space and is burned by acid

At 9:30 a.m. on July 19, 2017, an employee was entering a confined space. The employee received a sulfuric acid burn during entry.

Incident on May 22, 2013 (fatal): Employee is exposed to anhydrous ammonia and is killed

At 9:00 a.m. on May 22, 2013, an employee was working alone in the Control Room of Ammonium Poly Phosphate (APP) manufacturing process. The employee was in the process of starting up the process after a short shut down. The anhydrous ammonia globe valve was turned back on and the water flush valve had been left open with the two water lines closed. Ammonia exothermically reacted with the water in the line and built up temperature and pressure in the water line. The PVC valve in the control room was not designed to handle ammonia (only water) and it failed under the temperature and pressure in the line releasing anhydrous ammonia and hot water on the employee. The door exiting the control room was locked from the inside and the employee was found unconscious next to the door. The employee had first and second degree chemical and/or thermal burns on 79-88% of the total body surface area and died. died.

Incident on Aug 28, 2007 (fatal): Employee is killed when burned by molten sulfur

On August 28, 2007, Employee #1, a maintenance worker, was sprayed with molten s ulfur while grinding bolts from a pipe flange in an effort to remove a pipe sect ion. The molten sulfur ignited burning and killing him.

Incident on Aug 11, 2002: Employee's fingers are amputated by cutter machine

On August 11, 2002, Employee #1 was working on the line number 2 cutter machine when her fingers were amputated. She was hospitalized with her injury. The machi ne was not locked out.

Incident on Mar 6, 2000: Employee injured when struck by falling pallet load

Employee #1 was at the loading dock, preparing to unload approximately 36 1-ton pallets of bags of magnesium oxide. The load was stacked 2 to 3 ft from the insi de wall of the car, and a single 3/8 in. manila natural fiber rope was strung be tween the bulkheads at a height of between 4 and 7 ft, apparently to help secure the load. Employee #1 was opening a boxcar door when one of the pallets fell an d struck him. He sustained serious injuries, for which he was hospitalized. Infl atable dunnage was used in the end bulkheads.

Incident on Aug 17, 1993: Employees uninjured by ammonia leak

An ammonia leak was reported to have occurred in the freezer compressor room. Th e ammonia was not shut off and ammonia levels were not taken until two hours aft er the leak was reported. The employees were not evacuated. Maintenance employee s entered the compressor room with inadequate ppe.

Incident on Mar 28, 1990: Employee burned by release of pressurized ammonia

Employee #1 was assigned to replace three ammonia lines. He was told by his supe rvisor that the liquid feed line had been purged, so he climbed a ladder and cut the line. The line contained anhydrous ammonia under pressure at 120 psi. The p ressurized ammonia caused first-degree burns to his face and lungs. The employee then fell off the ladder and bruised his back. He was hospitalized for his inju ries. No one had checked the shut-off valve on the line. The supervisor stated t hat the plant representative had told him that the line was purged.

Incident on Aug 28, 1989 (fatal): Employee killed by train

Employee #1 was driving a 1986 Kenworth tractor and 42 ft flatbed/hopper trailer loaded with steel I-beams from an inactive feedlot. Employee #1 drove the equip ment down an access road that intersected State Highway 24. A Union Pacific main line track crosses county road 400 west 72 ft from State Highway 24. Arriving at the railroad crossing, Employee #1 continued across the tracks, apparently unaw are of the approaching train and its warning whistle. The train struck the trail er just ahead of the rear tandems, dragged the tractor/trailer 1,026 ft, and der ailed three engines and four cars. Employee #1 suffered a broken neck and fractu red skull and was pronounced dead at the scene. During the investigation, it was determined that, due to the railroad crossing being public, OSHA does not have jurisdiction.