OSHA Inspection: SCHARF PLUMBING & HEATING

Issued

Jul 31, 1997

Abate by

Aug 8, 1997

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $450 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 in that
employees were exposed to the hazard of being caught in rotating parts:
a)2ND FLOOR-EXISTING BUILDING, on or about 6/30/97; employee was
operating a Rigid pipe threading machine which was activated by a toggle
switch that would not automatically shut the machine off if the operator
was inadvertently caught up in its rotating parts.
Abatement Notes:
Among other methods, one feasible method to reduce this hazard is to
establish and
enforce adequate safe operating procedures such as those stipulated in the
American
National Standard for Portable Pipe Threading Machines (ANSI B208.1 1982).
Elements essential to an acceptable safe operating procedure include at a
minimum:
1.Install a momentary foot switch.  This foot switch shall be designed in
a manner of a "deadman control" so that when pressure is released the
machine stops operation, and
2.Provide training and education to the machine operators concerning all
the appropriate procedures for the safe operation and use of this type of
machinery.
Abatement documentation must be submitted for this Citation.

Issued

Jul 31, 1997

Abate by

Aug 8, 1997