LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- A grain facility in Hamilton, Missouri, owned by the cooperative MFA Inc. could have prevented an employee's fatal engulfment in a storage bin in May 2024 had it followed federal workplace safety requirements, the U.S. Department of Labor said on Tuesday after completing its investigation into the death of 25-year-old Austin Daniels.

MFA was cited for six violations, including one major violation, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The company faces nearly $242,000 in penalties, according to a new release from the labor department.

OSHA said its investigation found that three employees of MFA were removing corn screenings -- comprised of clumps of corn dust -- from a bin at the company's Hamilton elevator.

One worker entered the bin to clear screenings and became engulfed when the screenings shifted. Another worker tried to rescue his co-worker but was engulfed to his waist before being rescued by first responders from the local fire department.

OSHA found MFA, headquartered in Columbia, Missouri, had not completed a required bin entry permit before allowing the worker inside, according to the Department of Labor.

Investigators found that the conveyor was running with the bin's bottom gate open, increasing the risk of grain shifting and the risk of engulfment. OSHA said the company also "lacked adequate rescue equipment, failed to ensure the worker wore a harness and lifeline" and did not follow other required safety procedures before entering the bin.

"By neglecting basic safety standards, MFA Rail Car put their workers at serious risk," said OSHA Area Director Karena Lorek, based in Kansas City, Missouri.

Specifically, OSHA said it identified several facility failings.

That included a lack of adequate rescue equipment on site when workers entered bins. MFA did not position a harness and lifeline to prevent Daniels from sinking deeper than waist-deep in the grain.

In addition, OSHA said the company failed to protect employees from falls on walking working surfaces.

MFA failed to verify that mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment inside grain storage structures were deenergized, locked out and tagged to prevent operation when workers entered.

OSHA said the company also allowed workers to enter a bin without completing the permit process and did not test the bin's atmosphere before workers entered.

MFA told DTN it disagrees with OSHA's characterization of the investigation's results.

"MFA fully cooperated with OSHA during the inspection; however, we take exception with certain allegations in the citation, particularly that any alleged violation could fairly be characterized as 'willful,'" the company said in a statement to DTN.

"MFA will continue to work cooperatively with OSHA to address any perceived employee safety issues and to resolve the citation. Moreover, MFA has and will continue to provide all necessary and required personal protective equipment for all covered operations across its network of facilities."

MFA's President and CEO Ernie Verslues said in a statement that employee and customer safety has "always been a foundational part" of the company's operations.

"We were heartbroken by the incident and continue to mourn the loss with the family and community," Verslues said.

"Injury or loss of life is never acceptable. While we have always sought to develop and maintain comprehensive safety protocols and training programs, we believe in continuous improvement and will always look for opportunities to improve workplace safety and health across the board."

Founded in 1914, MFA Inc. is a regional farm supply and marketing cooperative based in Columbia that serves more than 45,000 farmers and owners in Missouri and nearby states.

The company was given 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com

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