OSHA Inspection: SEAQUIST VALVE COMPANY

Issued

Apr 4, 1988

Abate by

Dec 7, 1988

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $420

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to
the hazards of being caught in, crushing and/or amputation when clearing
jams, setting-up making adjustments and performing maintenance on Tube
assembly machines and Dial assembly machines.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to reduce these
hazards is to establish management controls over the work being
performed; to instruct workers in the recognition of hazards; to ensure
safe shut down of machinery or equipment, by blocking, stopping,
bleeding air cylinders, and reducing machinery or equipment to the zero
mechanical state; and to establish and enforce a comprehensive written
procedure for lockout which would include the following essentials:
A lockout procedure should include the following elements as a minimum:
1) Establish a comprehensive written procedure for lock-out which
include procedures designed to instruct and train employees in
recognition of hazards and proper lock-out procedures.
2) Require lock-out before any maintenance, inspection, clearing,
adjusting or servicing that requires employees to enter or be in
close contact with machinery or equipment.
3) Maintain available operation and maintenance manuals on all machinery
or equipment. Assure that these manuals and other appropriate
information are provided to employees before work is begun.
4) Establish and use a documented work order system which includes
Supervisors' approval to reactivate machinery or equipment.
5) Disconnect or isolate machinery or equipment by positioning the
switch, valve or other energy isolating device so that all energy
sources (e.g. electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, etc.) are
deactivated. Stored energy such as that in capacitors, springs,
elevated machine members, rotating flywheels, hydraulic systems and
gas, air, steam or water pressure, etc., must be dissipated or
restrained by methods such as grounding, repositioning, blocking,
bleeding down, etc.,
6) Require that each exposed employee lock-out the energy isolating
device with his/her personal lock.
7) Test machinery or equipment to ensure that the energy sources have
been effectively disconnected or isolated. As a precautionary measure
return the operating controls to the "OFF" position after the test
has been completed. NOTE: The test shall only be performed after
ensuring that no employees are exposed in the machine or equipment
area.
8) Remove locks only after ensuring the safety of all exposed employees.
9) Train employees responsible for machinery or equipment lock-out
in all elements of the program.  This training shall be repeated as
frequently as necessary to maintain management and work proficiency
and compliance with the procedure.
10) Evaluate the program periodically to ensure continued use and
adequacy.
11) Enforce all provisions of the program.

Issued

Apr 4, 1988

Abate by

Dec 7, 1988

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $150 Reduced

Issued

Apr 4, 1988

Abate by

Dec 7, 1988

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $150 Reduced

Issued

Apr 4, 1988

Abate by

May 4, 1988