OSHA Inspection: ADVANCED AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER CO., INC.

Issued

Apr 21, 1997

Abate by

Apr 25, 1997

Penalty

Initial $375 · Current $200 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)Borders Bookstore Building, center - Employees were operating a
Rigid 300 pipe threading machine (serial number 74993) which
was activated by a toggle switch that would not automatically shut
the machine off if its operator was inadvertently caught up in its
rotating parts.  On or about 2/20/97.
ABATEMENT NOTES:
Among other methods, one feasible method to reduce this hazard is to
establish
and enforce adequate safe operating procedures.  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.Installation of a momentary contact device (deadman foot switch) to
control power input to the machine.  This device would automatically stop
the machine and the rotating pipe if the operator's foot was removed from
the foot switch for any reason, and
2.Provide training and education to the machine operators concerning all
the
appropriate procedure for the safe operation and use of this type of
machinery.