OSHA Inspection: FEDERAL SPRINKLER CORPORATION

Issued

Jan 20, 1998

Abate by

Feb 3, 1998

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $300

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: rotating parts of a pipe threading machine.
(a) Job site - A Ridgid brand power threading machine / pipe
threader, model #300-T2, serial #ED02425, was activated by the
use of a toggle switch that cannot automatically shut off.
Employee(s) were exposed to the hazard of inadvertently getting
caught in the rotating parts; On or about 12/16/97.
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 found in the operator's manual. Elements
essential to an acceptable safe operating procedure include at a
minimum:
1. Installation and use of a momentary contact device (deadman
foot switch) to control power input to the machine as
recommended by the Ridgid Tool Company foot switch policy,
dated July 1, 1996. 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.
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, including the use of the foot
switch.
ABATEMENT VERIFICATION IS REQUIRED AS OUTLINED
IN PART 29 CFR 1903.19D