OSHA Inspection: FERRUM MATERIALS AND SUPPLY

Issued

Apr 7, 1995

Abate by

Apr 12, 1995

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $525 Reduced

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 int hat
employees were exposed to:
The hazards of severe lacerations, multiple fractures, amputation(s), or
death while working
and performing sandblasting duties int he southwesern sandblasting
room/shop area of the
plant premises.  The aforementioned hazards were created by sandblasting a
mixture of sand
and compressed air at approximately 120 p.s.i., onto and into the metral
surfaces of upright
(vertical) large water pump heads without lateral or overhead supports.
The hazards can be
abated by, but not limited to, programs including the following criteria:
(1)Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this
hazard(s) is
the placing of lateral facing support(s), strng enough to prevent the
heavy
pump head from
falling over when the 120 p.s.i. air/sandblast is applied on the other
side of the object.
(2)The use of an overhead hoist and chain, cable, or wire rope, fastened
to the top
section of the pump head, securing it in a vertical position, preventing
the jobject from
falling over when being cleaned at any surface area by the sandblast
stream.
(3)Make mandatory job sfety practices that all pump heads to be
sandblasted be first
placed on clean level flooring adequately supported.
(4)Document and enforce the implemented procedures.