Compliance problems at agricultural retail facilities often have one thing in common: they involve everyday activities that can easily become routine. Forklifts are used every day, employees work around fertilizers and chemicals, equipment requires maintenance, and regulatory plans can sit unchanged for years.
Federal OSHA, EPA and DOT enforcement records show several compliance areas that deserve particular attention. Here are five issues ag retailers should look for when reviewing their own facilities.
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Powered Industrial Truck Problems
Forklifts and other powered industrial trucks are a major part of many ag retail operations—and a frequent source of OSHA citations.
OSHA data for ag retailers shows powered industrial trucks among the most frequently cited general-industry standards. Common concerns can include operator training, equipment inspections, unsafe operation, and workplace conditions that expose employees to struck-by or crushing hazards.
Make sure operators are properly trained and evaluated, equipment is inspected before use, and unsafe trucks are removed from service until repairs are made.
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Respiratory Protection Deficiencies
Employees working around fertilizer dust, pesticides, ammonia, or other chemicals may need respiratory protection depending on their exposure.
Respiratory Protection was one of the most frequently cited OSHA standards for ag retailers during fiscal year 2025. OSHA has also cited an agricultural sales company for providing an employee exposed to airborne fertilizer dust with respiratory cartridges that did not provide the necessary particulate protection.
When respirators are required, facilities should verify that the correct respirator is selected, medical evaluations and fit testing are completed when applicable, and employees receive required training.
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Lockout/Tagout and Equipment Safety
Maintenance and repair work creates another significant compliance risk. OSHA’s Control of Hazardous Energy standard—commonly called lockout/tagout—was also among the leading citations for ag retailers in recent OSHA data.
Facilities should identify equipment that can expose employees to hazardous energy during servicing, develop appropriate procedures, provide locks and tags, train affected employees, and periodically verify that procedures are being followed.
Don’t overlook less obvious equipment hazards. OSHA cited a fertilizer company after employees operating forklifts near damaged storage racks were exposed to potential crushing and struck-by hazards.
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Risk Management Program Deficiencies
For facilities storing regulated quantities of anhydrous ammonia, EPA’s Risk Management Program requirements remain an important audit area.
EPA enforcement cases involving agricultural retailers and fertilizer distributors have identified problems with hazard reviews, mechanical integrity, written operating procedures, employee training, compliance audits, emergency planning, and keeping Risk Management Plans current.
In one enforcement action involving a farm chemical and fertilizer company, EPA alleged failures involving release scenarios, known equipment hazards, written emergency shutdown procedures, employee competency training, and required equipment inspection and maintenance.
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DOT Driver and Vehicle Compliance
Ag retailers that operate commercial motor vehicles have another major area to consider during a compliance review: DOT requirements. FMCSA roadside inspection data consistently identifies violations involving vehicle condition, required inspections, brakes, lighting, driver qualifications, and hours-of-service requirements.
Facilities should verify that commercial vehicles receive required periodic inspections and maintenance, defects are corrected, drivers meet applicable licensing and medical qualification requirements, and required hours-of-service records are properly maintained. FMCSA’s inspection data demonstrates that seemingly routine items—such as an inoperative lamp or missing proof of a periodic inspection—can result in roadside violations.
Find the Problems Before an Inspector Does
A strong internal audit should go beyond checking whether documents exist. Compare written programs with what is actually happening at the facility. Observe employees performing their normal jobs, inspect equipment, review training records, and confirm that plans have been updated as operations change.
Finding and correcting these problems internally can improve employee safety while reducing the chance that they become citations during the next regulatory inspection.