OSHA Inspection: MIDWEST FABRICATION & STEEL, INC.

Issued

Jul 19, 2007

Abate by

Sep 30, 2007

Penalty

Initial $1,575 · Current $700 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 potential shrapnel injury from exploding pvc:
(a)  In the ICG building; the employer was transporting above ground
compressed air through Crestline SR 21 1-1/4 inch pvc pipe. The pipe was
connected to a Van Air dryer. The PVC pipe was used to supply compressed
air to feed air hoses used by employees daily.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation is required for
this item
(see enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").
Among other methods, the following are feasible and acceptable methods to
minimize the
probability of injury during the transfer of compressed air where pvc is
used at the facility.
1. Follow American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard
D1785-86,
which
states polyvinyl chloride (PVC), pipes can be used for transportation of
!compressed air and
gases only if the PVC pipes are made of shatter resistant material or are
encased in a shatter
resistant material.
2. Follow American National Standards Institute/American Society of
Mechanical Engineers
(ANSI/ASME) B31.8-198 Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems
Standard,
sections 842.32, 842.43 and 849.52(b) which limits the operating pressure
of plastic piping
distributions systems to 100 pounds per square inch (psi) and prohibits
the installation of
such systems above ground except where "the above ground portion of the
plastic service line
is completely enclosed in a conduit or casing of sufficient strength to
provide protection from
external damage and deterioration."
3. Replace all existing PVC pipes with a cast iron or other type of metal
type piping rated to
transport compressed air safely above ground.

Issued

Jul 19, 2007

Abate by

Sep 1, 2007

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,500 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 possibility of dropped loads and/or crushing hazards:
(a)  On or about June 13, 2007 and at times prior, employees were exposed
to
crushing injury while using the overhead hoists and cranes in the
production areas
located throughout the facility without performing daily, monthly, and
annual
inspections of the following cranes and hoists.
1.  10 Ton Bedford crane, in the 80 foot bay.
2.  4 ton  with the Patriot remote control in the 80 foot bay.
3.  5 ton crane near the north side of the Wheelabrator.
4.  2 - 5 tons in the middle shop area.
5.  3- 2 ton hoists in the welding shop area.
6.  1 ton Coffing Hoist in the welding shop area.
7.  1 ton P & H hoist in the fab shop areas.
8.  K & G 1 ton serial number 36216.
9.  Coffing 1 ton in the fab, frame welding areas.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation is required for
this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct his hazard is
to:
(a) Perform frequent inspections at daily to monthly intervals as per ANSI
B-30-
16-1.2.1.2 and 2.2.1.2 on items such as:
1. All controls and operating mechanisms for improper operation; daily.
2. All safety devices for malfunction; daily.
3. Deterioration or leakage in air systems.
4. Hooks for deformations, chemical damage, or cracks. Other load-bearing
components of the hoist; daily.
5. Load-carrying ropes.Visual inspection daily for wear, twist, distortion
or
improper dead-ending to the hoisting drum and other attachments. Check
chain
also for deposits of foreign material which may be carried into the hoist
mechanism.
(b) Perform periodic inspections at monthly to yearly intervals as per
ANSI B30.16
2.2.1.3, which includes the requirements specified above plus:
1.   Loose bolts or rivets.
2.   Cracked or worn drums or sheaves.
3.  Worn, corroded, cracked or distorted parts such as pins,
bearings, shafts, gears, rollers, locking and clamping devices.
4.   Excessive wear on motor or load brake.
5.   Excessive wear of chain, rope, load sprockets, drums, sheaves, and
chainstretch.
6.   Hooks. Dye penetrants, magnetic particle or other suitable crack
detecting
inspections should be performed at least once per year.
7.   Electrical apparatus for signs of pitting or any deterioration of
controller
contractors, limit switches and push button stations.
8.   Hook retaining nuts or collars and pins, welds or riveting used to
secure
the
retaining members should be inspected.
9.   Supporting structure and trolley if used shall be inspected, for
continued
ability to support the imposed loads.
10.  Warning label for absence or illegibility.
(c) Written, dated and signed inspection reports and records should be made
monthly on critical items such as brakes, hooks, chains and ropes. Records
should
be readily available.

Issued

Jul 19, 2007

Abate by

Sep 22, 2007

Penalty

Initial $675 · Current $350 Reduced

Issued

Jul 19, 2007

Abate by

Sep 24, 2007

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

Issued

Jul 19, 2007

Abate by

Aug 15, 2007

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $560 Reduced

Issued

Jul 19, 2007

Abate by

Aug 15, 2007

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $560 Reduced

Issued

Jul 19, 2007

Abate by

Jul 30, 2007

Penalty

Initial $1,575 · Current $700 Reduced

Issued

Jul 19, 2007

Abate by

Sep 1, 2007

Penalty

Initial $675 · Current $350 Reduced

Issued

Jul 19, 2007

Abate by

Aug 1, 2007

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $450 Reduced

Issued

Jul 19, 2007

Abate by

Jul 19, 2007

Penalty

Initial $675 · Current $350 Reduced

Issued

Jul 19, 2007

Abate by

Nov 30, 2007

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $3,000

Issued

Jul 19, 2007

Abate by

Aug 15, 2007

Issued

Jul 19, 2007

Abate by

Aug 15, 2007

Issued

Jul 19, 2007

Abate by

Aug 1, 2007