OSHA Inspection: BOOMERANG RUBBER, INC.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 25, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,080 · Current $5,125

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(h):  Standard railing(s) were not provided on the open side(s) of all fixed industrial stairway(s) and stair platform(s):    a) Boomerang Rubber, Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about February 8, 2012, the employer did not ensure that the fixed industrial stairs used to access the upper level of the Stat Refinery banbury were equipped with standard railings, exposing employees fall hazards.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 18, 2012

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $5,125 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation:    a) Boomerang Rubber, Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about October 11, 2011, the employer did not ensure that each employee utilized eye protection while exposed to hazards such as, but not limited to eye injuries from flying debris, dust and/or rubber.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

May 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $5,125 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i):  The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed:    a) Boomerang Rubber, Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about October 20, 2011, the employer did not conduct periodic inspections of the companys energy control procedures to ensure that the requirements of the lockout/tagout standard were met.  The employers hazardous energy control program had deficiencies, such as, but not limited to employees locking out machines or equipment prior to servicing and maintenance activities and not removing keys from lockout devices.  Employees were exposed to hazards of being caught-in or crushed-by rubber processing equipment, such as, but not limited to the Brown Welding manufactured guillotine cutters located in Raw Production and the Stat Refinery, the mat trimmer installed on the back production line in building #2, the Cumberland Grinder, and the New Bed Mat Press located in the Press Room.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

May 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $10,780 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i):  The employer did not provide training to ensure that employees acquired the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage and removal of energy control devices:    a) Boomerang Rubber, Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about October 11, 2011, the employer failed to train employees to isolate energy sources and render equipment inoperative before assigning employees to perform maintenance and servicing work where unexpected startup and energy releases exposed employees to the hazards of being caught-in or crushed by rubber processing equipment, such as, but not limited to the Brown Welding manufactured guillotine cutters located in Raw Production and the Stat Refinery, the mat trimmer installed on the back  production line in building #2, the mat trimmer (Motor Ref. #C63BXGJE-4535HGO5C) located in the Press Room, and the New Bed Mat Press located in the Press Room.    Boomerang Rubber, Inc., as successor in interest to Lotridge Enterprises, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 910.147(c)(7)(i), which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 311604953, citation number 1,  item number 6 and was affirmed as a final order on December 10, 2008, with respect to a workplace located at 105 Dinsmore St., Botkins, Ohio.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

May 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $10,780 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(4)(i):  Lockout or tagout devices were not affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees:    a) Boomerang Rubber, Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about October 11, 2011, employees were exposed to crushing and caught-in injuries, in that rubber processing equipment, located in Raw Production and Stat Refinery, was not locked out prior to performing servicing and maintenance activities.  The employer failed to implement energy control application steps for equipment, such as, but not limited to the Brown Welding manufactured guillotine cutters located in Raw Production and the Stat Refinery, the mat trimmer installed on the back production line in building #2, the mat trimmer (Motor Ref. #C63BXGJE-4535HGO5C) located in the Press Room, and the New Bed Mat Press located in the Press Room.    Boomerang Rubber, Inc., as successor in interest to Lotridge Enterprises, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 910.147(d)(4)(i), which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 311604953, citation number 1,  item number 7 and was affirmed as a final order on December 10, 2008, with respect to a workplace located at 105 Dinsmore St., Botkins, Ohio.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

May 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $5,125 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii):  Point(s) of operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s):    a) Boomerang Rubber, Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about October 11, 2011, the employer did not ensure that point of operation on the Brown Welding manufactured guillotine cutter, located in building #2, was guarded.  Employees were exposed to amputation hazards while engaged in rubber cutting activities.    b) Boomerang Rubber, Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about December 30, 2011, the employer did not ensure that point of operation on the mat trimmer, located in the Press Room, was guarded (Motor Ref. #C63BXGJE-4535HKO6C).  Employees were exposed to amputation and laceration hazards from the rotating blade while engaged in trimming activities.    c) Boomerang Rubber, Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about December 30, 2011, the employer did not ensure that the point of operation on the mat trimmer, located in the Press Room, was guarded (Motor Ref. #C63BXGJE-4535HGO5C).  Employees were exposed to amputation and laceration hazards from the rotating blade while engaged in trimming activities.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 18, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $5,125

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9):  The distance between the abrasive wheel periphery(s) and the adjustable tongue or the end of the safety guard peripheral member at the top exceeded one fourth inch:    a) Boomerang Rubber, Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about January 6, 2012, the employer did not ensure that the guard on an abrasive wheel machine was constructed so that the peripheral protecting member could be adjusted to the constantly decreasing diameter of the wheel.  The Dayton 6 inch Bench Grinder, Model Number 2LKR6, located in the press room, exposed employees to struck-by hazards as it was not provided with an adjustable guard on either the left or right side.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 25, 2012

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $5,125 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.216(b)(1):  A safety trip control was not provided in the front and back of each mill.  It shall be accessible and shall operate readily on contact:    a) Boomerang Rubber Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about February 8, 2012, the employer did not ensure that a safety trip control was provided in the front and in the back of each rubber mill.  The Comerio Ercole manufactured #2 refiner rubber mill, located in the Stat Refinery, was not equipped with a safety trip control, exposing employees to crushing and amputation hazards while they cleaned out scrap rubber under the mill and sent it back through the revolving drums.     b) Boomerang Rubber Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about February 8, 2012, the employer did not ensure that a safety trip control was provided in the front and in the back of each rubber mill.  The Comerio Ercole manufactured #2 refiner rubber mill, located in the Stat Refinery, was not equipped with a safety trip control, exposing employees to crushing and amputation hazards while they cleaned out scrap rubber under the mill and sent it back through the revolving drums.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 18, 2012

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.216(b)(1)(ii):  Safety triprods installed on the front and back of each mill were not set to 72 inches or less in height above the level on which the operator stands:    a)  Boomerang Rubber, Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about October 11, 2011, the employer did not ensure that the safety triprod installed on the backline cracker mill, located in the raw production department, was properly adjusted.  The triprod was approximately 78 inches above the working level, exposing employees to crushing hazards in the event they are unable to reach the triprod in an emergency.    b)  Boomerang Rubber, Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about October 11, 2011, the employer did not ensure that the safety triprod installed on the frontline cracker mill, located in the raw production department, was properly adjusted.  The triprod was approximately 76 inches above the working level, exposing employees to crushing hazards in the event they are unable to reach the triprod in an emergency.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 25, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $5,125

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3):  Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:    a) Boomerang Rubber, Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about January 6, 2012, the employer did not ensure that the front and back drive chains and sprockets for the rollout tables on the new bed mat press were guarded.  Employees who operated the press were exposed to crushing and amputation hazards while loading and unloading the tables.  Employees working on the backside of the machine were also exposed while scraping the rubber from the mold.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 18, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,080 · Current $5,125

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(i):  Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings were not effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment:    a) Boomerang Rubber, Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about February 8, 2012, the employer did not ensure that an unused opening in the top of the control box for the back line stacker conveyor belt in building #2 was effectively closed.  A knockout on the top of the box was missing, exposing employees who accessed the control buttons to electrical hazards.    b) Boomerang Rubber, Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about February 8, 2012, the employer did not ensure that unused openings in the control box for the sprayer area on the back line in building #2 were effectively closed.  Multiple knockouts in the metal box were missing, exposing employees who accessed the control switches to electrical hazards.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 25, 2012

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(iii):   Internal parts of electrical equipment, including busbars, wiring terminals, insulators, and other surfaces, may not be damaged or contaminated by foreign materials such as paint, plaster, cleaners, abrasives, or corrosive residues.    a) Boomerang Rubber, Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about October 11, 2011, the employer did not ensure that internal parts of electrical equipment on the backside cracker mill were not damaged. The main power disconnect switch near the operators station was broken inside of the cabinet, which resulted in maintenance employees opening the cabinet to reset the switch, exposing them to 480 volts that could result in electrocution, shock, and/or arc flash/blast injuries.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(i):  Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not protected from abrasion, and openings through which conductors entered were not effectively closed:    a) Boomerang Rubber, Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about October 20, 2011, the employer did not ensure that conductors entering the cabinet mounted on the Brown's Welding custom made guillotine cutter were protected from abrasion and that the opening through which the conductors entered the cabinet was effectively closed.  The guillotine cutter was located in the building #2 Raw Production area and exposed employees to electrical hazards.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

May 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $53,900 · Current $35,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i):  Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:    a) Boomerang Rubber, Inc., Botkins, Ohio:  On or about February 8, 2012, the employer failed to develop and utilize energy control procedures for employees who performed servicing and maintenance on rubber processing equipment, such as, but not limited to the Brown Welding manufactured guillotine cutters located in Raw Production and the Stat Refinery, the mat trimmer installed on the back production line in building #2, the mat trimmer (Motor Ref. #C63BXGJE-4535HGO5C) located in the Press Room, and the New Bed Mat Press located in the Press Room.  The employer did not ensure that employees isolated all sources of hazardous energy, exposing them to caught-in and crushing injuries.