OSHA Inspection: PRP MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS

Issued

May 28, 1997

Abate by

Jun 9, 1997

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $375 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)Bloomingdale's Building, second floor - A Rigid 300 pipe
threading machine (serial number 7598676), which had been
operated by employees on site, was observed without deadman foot
switch.  The machine 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 5/12/97.
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 procedures for the safe operation and use of this type of
machinery.