OSHA Inspection: JACK C. HIRSCH, INC.

Issued

Nov 9, 1992

Abate by

Nov 12, 1992

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $500 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 pulled into and crushed by the rotating parts of a pipe
threading machine:
a)  On 10/6/92, 1st floor
Employees were operating a Rigid Pipe Threader Groover
which was activated by a toggle switch that would not
automatically shut the machine off if its generator was
inadvertently caught up in its rotating parts.
ABATEMENT NOTE:  Among other methods, one feasible method to reduce this
hazard is to establish and enforce adequate safe generating procedures.
Procedures such as those stipulated in American National Standard for
Portable Pipe Threading Machines (ANSIB208.1-1982).  Elements essential to
an acceptable safe operating procedures include at a minimum:
1-  Installation of a momentary contact device (deadman switch)
to control power input to the machine.  This device would
automatically stop the machine and the rotating pipe if the
operators foot was removed from the foot switch for any reason.
2-  Provide training and education to the machine operators
concerning all the appropriate procedures for the safe
operation and use of this type of machine.