OSHA Inspection: LANGE GRINDING, INC.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4200.00 · Current $2310.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):     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 was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to crushing injuries during lifting operations with a close proximity magnet that was not marked according to ASME B30.20 2010.    On or about July 21, 2011, during milling and grinding activities, the employer did not ensure the close proximity magnet was properly marked with the appropriate load rating on the magnet or tag attached to the lifting magnet.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Abate by

2011-12-15 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4200.00 · Current $2310.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):     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 was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to lifting and crushing hazards by ensuring the close proximity magnet toggle switch was properly constructed to prevent indavertent disconnect.    On or about July 21, 2011, during milling and grinding activities, the employer did not ensure the close proximity magnet toggle switch was constructed to protect it from being inadvertently turned off.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2400.00 · Current $1320.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1):     Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent) and toeboards:  Note:  Toeboards are only required when persons can pass, there is moving equipment or there is equipment with which falling materials could create a hazard.    On or about 7/21/11, during milling and grinding operations, the employer did not ensure all open sided floors and platforms were guarded against fall hazards approximately 5 feet with a guardrail system.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1800.00 · Current $990.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(f):     Rise height and tread width were not uniform throughout any flight of stairs including any foundation structure used as one or more treads of the stairs:    On or about 7/21/11, during milling and grinding operations, the employer did not ensure fixed industrial stairs riser height and tread width were uniform throughout the facility.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1800.00 · Current $990.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(h):     Standard railings were not provided on the open sides of all exposed stairways and stair platforms:    On or about 7/21/11, during milling and grinding operations, the employer did not ensure fixed industrial stairs were equipped with standard railings on the open side of stair platforms near the Rockford Large Mill.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1800.00 · Current $990.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.25(d)(1)(x):     Portable wood ladder(s) were not inspected frequently and those which have developed defects shall be withdrawn from service for repair or destruction and tagged or marked as "Dangerous, Do Not Use."    On or about 7/21/11, during milling and grinding operations, the employer did not ensure all wooden ladders were inspected prior to use and withdrawn from service for repair or destruction when defects were found. A damaged wooden step ladder was still in use near the Blanchard Rotary Grinder #144 with damaged side rails

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-01-24 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4200.00 · Current $2310.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1):     The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energy, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative:    On or about July 21, 2011, during milling and grinding operations, the employer did not ensure a energy control program was implemented to ensure equipment including but not limited to Rockford large and small planer mills, Blanchard rotary grinders 144, 120, and 100,  was isolated from energy sources prior to servicing or maintenance.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1800.00 · Current $990.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i):     The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator was competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l):    On or about July 21, 2011, the employer did not ensure each employee was competent to operated a powered industrial vehicle by instituting a training program and evaluation.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7):     Industrial trucks were not examined before being placed in service at Lange Grinding Inc during milling and grinding operations. Industrial trucks were used to transport material throughout the plant and no pre-operational check was conducted to inspect for safety hazards.    On or about July 21, 2011, the employer did not ensure each employee operating a powered industrial truck conducted a pre-operational check of the vehicle for safety hazards.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2400.00 · Current $1320.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(j)(2):     The items listed in subparagraphs (j)(2)(i)-(vii) were not inspected for defects at intervals as defined in paragraph (j)(1)(ii) of this section or as specifically indicated, and all deficiencies were not carefully examined and a determination made as to whether they constituted a safety hazard:    On or about July 21, 2011, during milling and grinding activities, the employer did not ensure each employee operating an overhead crane conducted a frequent inspection prior to use. Cranes were operated daily and no inspections were conducted by operators.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(n)(4)(i):     The upper limit switch of each hoist was not tried out under no load, at the beginning of each operator's shift:    On or about July 21, 2011, during milling and grinding activities, the employer did not ensure the upper limit switch was checked out at the beginning of each shift prior to crane operation.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2400.00 · Current $1320.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(d):     Each day before being used, the sling and all fastenings and attachments were not being inspected for damage or defects by a competent person designated by the employer:    On or about July 21, 2011, during milling and grinding activities, the employer did not ensure each sling and fastening attachments were inspected for damage and/or defects prior to use.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(e)(2)(ii):     Makeshift link(s) or fastener(s) formed from bolts, or other such attachment(s) were used to connect links or fastenings on alloy steel chain sling(s):    On or about July 21, 2011, during milling and grinding activities, the employer did not ensure that makeshift attachments were not use to connect to alloy steel chains.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(e)(3)(i):     A thorough periodic inspection of alloy steel chain slings was not made on a regular basis and/or were done at intervals greater than once every 12 months:    On or about July 21, 2011, during milling and grinding activities, the employer did not ensure that a periodic inspection was conducted of all alloy steel chain slings in the facility.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(f)(5)(iii):     Wire rope sling(s) that had kinking, crushing, bird caging or other damage resulting in distortion of the wire rope structure were not immediately removed from service:    On or about July 21, 2011, during milling and grinding activities, the employer did not ensure that wire rope slings that had evidence of kinking were removed from service.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(i)(1):     Synthetic web sling(s) were not marked or coded to show rated capacities for each type of hitch and type of synthetic web material:    On or about July 21, 2011, during milling and grinding activities, the employer did not ensure that all synthetic slings were marked showing the rated capacity.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4200.00 · Current $2310.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1):     One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:    a.  On or about July 21, 2011 the employer did not ensure that all protruding chuck shafts on a horizontal drive shaft were properly guarded.    b.  On or about July 21, 2011 the employer did not ensure that all tension wheels on band saws were properly guarded.    c.  On or about July 21, 2011 the employer did not ensure that all rotating parts on material moving tables were properly guarded..

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3000.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(i)(1):     Nonworking portion(s) of the blade of bandsaw(s) were not enclosed or guarded:    On or about July 21, 2011 the employer did not ensure that all non working portions of a band saw blade were properly guarded. The band saw had exposed blade on the underneath side.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3000.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i):     Horizontal belts which had both runs 42 inches or less from the floor level were not fully enclosed by guards conforming to requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    On or about July 21, 2011 the employer did not ensure that pulley belts on the band saw were fully guarded to enclose all hazards.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4200.00 · Current $2310.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(5):     Fan blade guards, where the periphery of the blades was less than seven feet above the floor or working level, had openings larger than one half inch:    On or about July 21, 2011 the employer did not ensure that all floor fans were properly guarded with less than one half inch openings. Floor fans were observed with openings approximately 4 inches where the center portion of the guard was removed or missing.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3000.00 · Current $1650.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3):     Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven -7 feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:    a.  On or about July 21, 2011 the employer did not ensure that sprocket wheels and chains on mechanical power transmission devices less than 7 feet above the floor were properly guarded    b.  On or about July 21, 2011 the employer did not ensure that ingoing nip points were properly guarded on chain and sprockets for drag out conveyors on Blanchard 144 and 120.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2400.00 · Current $1320.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(2)(ii):     Inside of buildings, cylinders were not stored in a well-protected, well-ventilated, dry location, at least 20 feet (6.1 m) from highly combustible materials such as oil or excelsior. Cylinders should be stored in definitely assigned places away from elevators, stairs, or gangways. Assigned storage spaces shall be located where cylinders will not be knocked over or damaged by passing or falling objects, or subject to tampering by unauthorized persons. Cylinders shall not be kept in unventilated enclosures such as lockers and cupboards:    On or about July 21, 2011, the employer did not ensure that cylinders were stored in assigned locations at least 20 feet from highly combustible materials. Cylinders were observed located next to a door way and near thermostat controls.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(4)(iii):     Oxygen cylinders in storage were not separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour:    On or about July 21, 2011, the employer did not ensure that cylinders were stored in assigned locations at least 20 feet from highly combustible materials. Cylinders were observed located next to a door and a fuel gas cylinder.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3000.00 · Current $1650.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(iv):     There were damaged parts that could adversely affect safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment, such as parts that were broken, bent, cut, or deteriorated by corrosion, chemical action, or overheating:    On or about 7/21/11 the employer did not ensure all electrical equipment was free from damage that could adversely affect safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment. A damaged and corroded electrical outlet was observed on the front of the Blanchard Rotary Grinder that had extension cords running to a sump pump and portable fan.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3000.00 · Current $1650.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii):     Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief was provided that would prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws:    On or about 7/21/11 the employer did not ensure all flexible cords were equipped with strain relief to prevent pull directly to joints or terminal screws.  The cord was used to power the Rockford Planer Mill control panel power cabinet.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1800.00 · Current $990.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1):     Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):    On or about July 21, 2011, the employer did not ensure a written hazard communication program was maintained at the facility. Employees were required to use chemicals including but not limited to: Buckeye LG coolant, acetylene, oxygen, propane, general lubricants and cleaning materials.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(1)(i):     The chemical manufacturer, importer, or distributor did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals leaving the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the identity of the hazardous chemicals:    On or about July 21, 2011 the employer did not ensure transfer containers were labeled tagged or marked with the identity of the chemical including but not limited to Buckeye lubricants, metalworking fluids, and general purpose cleaners and degreasers.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(1)(ii):     The chemical manufacturer, importer, or distributor did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals leaving the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the appropriate hazard warnings:    On or about July 21, 2011, the employer did not ensure transfer containers were labeled tagged or marked with the appropriate hazard warnings. Chemicals used include but were not limited to Buckeye lubricants, metalworking fluids, and general purpose cleaners and degreasers.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1):     Employers did not provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees had not previously been trained about was introduced into their work area and chemical-specific information was not always available through labels and material safety data sheets:    On or about July 21, 2011, the employer did not ensure hazardous communication training was conducted with all employees at the facility. Chemicals used include but were not limited to Buckeye lubricants, metalworking fluids, and general purpose cleaners and degreasers.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(d)(2):     The employer placed, or caused, or permitted to be placed, on a floor or roof of a building or other structure a load greater than that for which such floor or roof was approved by the building official:    On or about 7/21/11, the employer did not ensure building structures used for storage were equipped with load ratings. The employer did not know the rated load/weight capacity for the structure.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1):     The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present, or were likely to be present, which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment:    On or about 7/21/11, during milling and grinding operations, the employer did not perform a hazard assessment to determine the use of personal protective equipment.

Issued

2011-12-08 00:00:00

Abate by

2011-12-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(2):     The educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting was not provided to all employees upon initial employment, and at least annually thereafter:  Note:  Applies where all employees are expected to fight fires.    On or about 7/21/11 the employer did not have an educational program to train employees on the principles of fire extinguisher use in the workplace and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting.    Note:  Employer may exercise one of the following options:    1)  Provide portable fire extinguishers as specified in 29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1), meet the  distribution requirements per 29 CFR 1910.157(d) (75' to the nearest extinguisher for Class A   fires and 50" to the nearest unit for Class B fires) and provide training and education for all  employees in the use of such equipment and the hazards associated with incipient stage fire  fighting as required in 29 CFR 1910.157(g).  The other sections of 29 CFR 1910.157 also  apply.    2)   Provide extinguishers as specified in 29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1),  designate certain employees  to be the only employees authorized to use such equipment and require all other employee to  immediately evacuate upon the sounding of the fire alarm, establish this in writing in an   emergency action plan as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.38(c) and train/educate designated employees  per 1910.157(g).  Utilizing this option exempts the employer from distribution requirements of  29 CFR 1910.157(d).    3)   Establish a written fire safety policy which requires the immediate and total evacuation of  employees from the workplace upon the sounding of a fire alarm signal.  This policy includes  an emergency action plan and a fire prevention plan as specified in 29 CFR 1910.38 (a)  and (b).  Utilizing this option exempts the employer from requirements of 29 CFR 1910.157 to  include the need for providing portable fire equipment unless a specific standard requires that  a portable fire extinguisher be provided (such as those requirements in 29 CFR 1910.106/107  relating to use/storage of flammable/combustible liquids).  If extinguishers are provided but no  intended for employee use, 29 CFR 1910.157(a) and (f) are still applicable (inspection,  maintenance and testing of equipment).