OSHA Inspection: PRIORITY PLASTICS, INC.

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

General-duty citation text

Nevada Revised Statute 618.375(1):  Duties of employers.  Every employer
shall:  1) Furnish
employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized
hazards that are causing
or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his or her
employees:
At 1840 Aerojet Way, North Las Vegas, NV, the employer failed to furnish
employment and
a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are
causing or are likely to
cause death or serious physical harm to his or her employees, as follows:
a.The employer did not ensure that the repair of their extrusion blow
moulding
machine did not reduce the level of safety of the machine. When employees
could
not correct electrical and hydraulic problems with the front safety gates
the
employer allowed them to install electrical jumper wires on the safety
control
circuitry. The electrical jumpers allowed the machine to start and operate
even
though the front safety gates were open.
b.The employer did not have a training program that ensured the original
and
continuing competence of personnel caring for, inspecting and maintaining
the
extrusion blow moulding machine. The employer failed to inspect the machine
and detect that a solenoid latching pin on the front safety gate solenoid
latching
safety interlock switch was missing. This allowed the front safety gates
to open
during the machine cycle.
c.The employer did not have a preventative maintenance program or
inspection
system to ensure that "safeguards are maintained in proper operating
condition"
for the blow moulding machines. The employer could not correct a problem
where the machine overheated and allowed a safety microswitch on the
electrical
power console to be covered with electrical tape. The microswitch ensured
that
the power console was de-energized whenever the doors were opened. The
employer allowed this safety device to be bypassed so that the doors could
be left
open and a portable air conditioner could be used to cool the electronics.
An employee was fatally injured while removing purged plastic from an
Automa Plus AT5D-
GMC plastic blow moulding machine identified as machine #103.
References:
American National Standard Institute/Society of the Plastics, Inc
B151.15-2003, for Plastics
Machinery - Extrusion Blow Molding Machines - Safety Requirements for
Manufacture,
Care, and Use.
Page 2, Paragraph 1.1.3 All Installations "An employer shall not permit an
extrusion
blow molding machine (EBMM) to be operated unless it is in compliance with
this
standard."
Page 9, Paragraph 5.1.3 Modification "The modification made to existing
EBMMs
shall
be in accordance with clause 8, and the parts of clause 6 of this standard
which apply tomodification. Any modification shall not reduce the level of
safety existing on the
EBMM at the time of manufacture or remanufacture."
Page 9, Paragraph 5.1.4 Repair "Repair shall not reduce the level of
safety of the
EBMM."
Page 20, Paragraph 7.1 Training of Maintenance Personnel "It shall be the
responsibility
of the employer to ensure the original and continuing competence of
personnel caring for,
inspecting, and maintaining EBMM."
Page 20, Paragraph 7.2 Training of Operators, Setup and Supervisory
Personnel "It shall
be the responsibility of the employer to train and instruct personnel in
the safe method
of operation of the safety devices and procedures, as described in clauses
5,6,7, and 8,
before starting work on any operation covered in this standard. The
employer
shall
ensure by trained supervision that proper operating and setup procedures
are being
followed."
Page 20, Paragraph 7.3 Inspection and Maintenance "It shall be the
responsibility of the
employer to perform periodic (e.g., per shift) inspection of EBMM to
ensure that the
safeguards are maintained in the proper operating condition."
Automa - Blow Moulding and Conditioning Machine of Plastic Vessels - Plus
AT5D-GMC
Installation Manual Use and Maintenance.
Page 3-2, paragraph 3.1 General Information, Use, Zones. "WARNING: The
machine
shall exclusively be used by operators who attend training courses held on
the spot by
Automa engineers and who have understood the instructions herein included.
All
instructions, warnings, general accident-preventing rules herein contained
shall be
entirely observed. Any tempering/replacement not authorized of one or more
components
of the machine, the use of accessories, tools, consumption goods other
than those
recommended by the manufacturer, may lead to accidents and the
manufacturer disclaims
any civil and criminal liabilities"
Page 3-10, paragraph 3.2.1 General Safety. "Automa machines are equipped
with a
combined system of devices and safeties that protect the operator or any
persons nearby
against any kind of abnormal events. The operator may enter those parts
considered
dangerous, only when the machine is under safety conditions. Therefore the
persons in
charge shall keep these devices quite efficient, without changing the
features they have
been designed and installed with."
Page 7-8 through 7-10, paragraph 7.3.1 Testing and Ordinary Maintenance
Diagram. "
It is absolutely necessary to follow the technical specifications of the
manufacturer
concerning the replacement of the safety components of the machine, after
the time
prescribed by the manufacturer and according to his specifications. Should
these
specifications be not followed by the purchaser with no reason, Automa
disclaims any
responsibility for any damage to persons or objects."One feasible and
acceptable abatement method would be to follow the requirements of the
American National Standard Institute/Society of the Plastics, Inc
B151.15-2003, for Plastics
Machinery - Extrusion Blow Molding Machines - Safety Requirements for
Manufacture, Care,
and Use and the manufacturer's requirements for the establishment of a
preventative maintenance
and inspection program in addition to continuing operator and maintenance
personnel
competency training for the extrusion blow molding machines.

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 4, 2011

Penalty

Current $3,500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 4, 2011

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 4, 2011

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 4, 2011

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $500 · Current $500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $500 · Current $500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $500 · Current $500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $500 · Current $500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $500 · Current $500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $500 · Current $500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $500 · Current $500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $500 · Current $500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $500 · Current $500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $500 · Current $500

Issued

Dec 22, 2010

Abate by

Jan 10, 2011

Penalty

Initial $500 · Current $500