OSHA Inspection: MANVILLE SALES CORPORATION

Issued

Nov 30, 1987

Abate by

Dec 3, 1987

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $1,000

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 case death
or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to
crushing injuries, broken bones, amputations, and death by adjusting
stops on five (5) hot molding presses while positioned under the raised
lower dies. When pneumatic pressure was released to separate the dies,
the lower dies were supported only with random lengths of lumber, which
were not secured against displacement, to prevent the lower die from
falling on employees:
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this
hazard is to:
1) Provide and ensure the use of properly constructed metal beams,
stands, or similar devices of sufficient strength to support the
weight of the lower dies. Such devices should be of correct length,
affixed to the press for which it is designed, and when is use,
secured against displacement;
2) Instruct all maintenance and production employees who are, or
potentially are, expose to this hazard in the use of the correct
support devices, the procedures for safely placing and removing the
devices, and the methods and procedures for performing adjustments
or repairs while the dies are so supported.
3) Explore alternative and/or redundant means of supporting the dies,
including, but not limited to, the provision of residual air pressure
in the pneumatic system to impede or prevent free-fall of the dies in
the event the support devices become dislodged. Such air pressure
shall not be relied upon as the exclusive means of protection.

Issued

Nov 30, 1987

Abate by

Jan 4, 1988

Issued

Nov 30, 1987

Abate by

Jan 4, 1988