OSHA Inspection: NEW BERLIN REDI-MIX, INC.

Issued

Feb 21, 2012

Abate by

Apr 3, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,530 · Current $1,530

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1):     The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employees ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:    (a) In the Central Mixer and in truck mixers, drivers were permitted to use half-face elastomeric respirators equipped with air purifying cartridges for protection against dust created during cleaning and chipping out operations, but no medical evaluation had been provided to assure that these workers were physically able to use that type of respirator.

Issued

Feb 21, 2012

Abate by

Apr 20, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,550 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(7)(i):     A space classified by the employer as a permit-required confined space was reclassified as a non-permit confined space when the permit space posed actual or potential atmospheric hazards:    (a) According to procedures listed in the  employer's Confined Space Entry Program, Truck Mixer Drums could be reclassified as Non-Permit Entry confined spaces for chipping and inspection.  However, the employer's procedures did not take into account the potential for an oxygen deficient atomosphere occurrng as a consequence of concrete curing.

Issued

Feb 21, 2012

Abate by

Apr 20, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $4,200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(e)(1):     Before entry was authorized, the employer did not document the completion of measures required by 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3) by preparing an entry permit:  (a)  On or around September 13, 2011 worker(s) entered into the Central Mixer Drum and performed chipping out.  No entry permit was completed prior to entry into this space.  Hazards of the space included slippery footing (the concrete in the drum was still wet), potential exposure to sharp fins, and potential for exposure to falling concrete fragments.  In addition, the potential existed for the drum to rotate during entry, because chains had not been used to secure the drum prior to entry.

Issued

Feb 21, 2012

Abate by

Mar 30, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,550 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(C):     The energy control procedure did not clearly and specifically outline the steps for placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices or tagout devices and the responsibility for them.    (a) The written energy control procedure that was established for the Central Mixer, located in the Batch Plant, included erroneous information regarding the procedure to control residual (kinetic) or stored (potential) energy.  The energy control procedure specified the following steps: "SET IN PLACE LOCKING PINS ON MIXER FRAME, SET IN PLACE LOCKING BRACE ON FLOP GATE."  However, the Central Mixer in the Batch Plant was not equipped with locking pins.

Issued

Feb 21, 2012

Abate by

Apr 3, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i):     The employer did not conduct an annual or more frequent inspection of the energy control procedure to ensure that the procedure and requirements of this standard were followed:    (a)  As of September 14, 2011, it was determined that in Batch Plant, no inspection of the energy control procedure for the Central Mixer  had been conducted within the past 12 month period. This energy control procedure was utilized prior to worker(s) entering into the Central Mixer drum to perform Cleaning/Chipping.  Failure to follow proper procedure could expose workers to hazards such as, but not limited to, drum rotation during Cleaning/Chipping.    (b)  As of September 14, 2011, it was determined that with regard to OSHKOSH Redi-Mixer Truck, no inspection of energy control procedure for the truck mixing drum had been conducted within the past 12 month period.  This energy control procedure was utilized prior to worker(s) entering in the truck mixing drum to perform Cleaning/Chipping.  Failure to follow proper procedure could expose workers to hazards such, but not limited to, as drum rotation during Cleaning/Chipping.

Issued

Feb 21, 2012

Abate by

Mar 13, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $4,200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(5)(i):     All potentially hazardous stored or residual energy was not relieved, disconnected, restrained or otherwise rendered safe after the application of lockout or tagout devices to energy isolating devices:    (a) On or around September 13, 2011, prior to worker(s)  entering and performing chipping out in the Central Mixer in the Batch Plant, chains or other means were not utilized to prevent the drum from rotating while this work was being done inside the drum.