US Department of Labor fines South Dakota Wheat Growers Association of Aberdeen, SD, more than $1.6 million for grain handling violations
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined the South Dakota Wheat Growers Association of Aberdeen, S.D., more than $1.6 million following the Dec. 22, 2009, death of a worker at the company's McLaughlin, S.D., grain handling operation. The worker suffocated after being engulfed by grain in one of the facility's bins. OSHA's investigation found that five additional workers were also at risk of being engulfed when they were sent into the bin to dig the victim out. "The South Dakota Wheat Growers Association ignored long-established standards addressing safety in grain handling operations," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The company's intentional disregard for its safety and health responsibilities put its workers at risk, and more egregiously, led to an unnecessary loss of life. Worker safety must be a top priority."