Federal investigators have identified significant safety hazards at a Nebraska grain cooperative, Legacy Cooperative's Hemingford grain elevator. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that workers were exposed to fire and explosion risks due to the accumulation of combustible dust and inadequate maintenance of dust collection systems.
The investigation, initiated in March 2024 under OSHA's regional emphasis program for grain-handling facilities in Nebraska, revealed that more than one-eighth inch of grain dust had accumulated in key areas like the bottom belt tunnel and around elevator legs. OSHA also discovered makeshift repairs using duct tape on the dust collection system, compromising its effectiveness and increasing failure risk.
“Grain dust fires and explosions are a well-known industry hazard, which makes Legacy Grain Cooperative’s failure to control dust where a belt’s friction could easily cause ignition inexcusable,” stated OSHA Area Director Matthew Thurlby from Omaha, Nebraska. He emphasized the necessity for employers to develop comprehensive safety procedures and ensure worker training to mitigate known dangers.
Legacy Cooperative was cited for two willful and 22 serious safety violations with proposed penalties amounting to $536,965. Violations included neglecting regular equipment inspections, failing preventive maintenance certification, not adhering to permit-confirmed space requirements, exposing workers to fall hazards, improper electrical practices, insufficient forklift training, and incorrect labeling of hazardous chemicals.
OSHA collaborates with organizations like the Grain Handling Safety Coalition and National Grain and Feed Association through its alliance program to improve safety standards within the industry. Established by merging Farmer’s Cooperative with Panhandle Cooperative in 2024, Legacy Cooperative is based in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
The company has 15 business days from receiving citations to comply or contest OSHA's findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
