OSHA Inspection: TANGENT TECHNOLOGIES LLC

Issued

Apr 12, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,950 · Current $3,465 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):   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 working at ground level were exposed to baled materials falling from an unguarded, elevated belt conveyor and adjacent work platform.    Recycling Dept., De-Baler Machine Area.  On or about November 3, 2011, employees worked at floor level in the area near the elevated belt conveyor and adjacent work platform for the De-Baler Machine.  Baled bundles of recycled plastic bottles weighing approx. 900 lbs to 1100 lbs. were loaded by forklift onto the work platform adjacent to the conveyor.    The conveyor controls allowed startup with the belt running in reverse, which then moved the baled material in reverse.  The conveyor was not adequately guarded to prevent the baled material from falling off the edge of the conveyor/platform to the floor area below when the belt was running in reverse, exposing employees to being struck by the falling load.    No certification or documentation is required for this item.

Issued

Apr 12, 2012

Abate by

May 3, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,950 · Current $3,465 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:    Recycling Dept., De-Baler Machine.  On or about November 3, 2011, employees "cleaned" the infeed rollers by cutting wire off of the rollers by hand using large wirecutters.  Employees turned off the machine, but did not always lock it out because a lock was not available in the machine area, only a hasp was available.  The employer did not ensure that lockout/tagout procedures were developed, documented and utilized by employees to prevent start-up of the rollers during cleaning.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Apr 12, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,950 · Current $3,465 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(b):  Material stored in tiers was not stacked, blocked, interlocked or limited in height so that it was stable and secure against sliding and collapse:    Recycling Dept.  Baled bundles of recycled plastic bottles weighing from 900-1100 pounds were stacked too high and some were leaning precariously.  Employees were in danger of being struck by the falling bales.      No documentation or certification is required for this item.

Issued

Apr 12, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:    Recycling Dept., De-Baler Platform.  The bottom step of the stairway leading to the De-Baler platform was damaged, creating an uneven rise height that could cause a slip and fall injury.    No documentation or certification is required for this item.

Issued

Apr 12, 2012

Abate by

May 3, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(f)(4):  The employer did not verify that each affected employee had received and understood the required training through a written certification that contained the name of each employee trained and the date(s) of training, and that identifies the subject of the certification:    Recycling Dept., Pre-Baler Conveyor Platform.  The employer did not certify that De-Baler operators had received training on how to properly don, doff, adjust and wear the full body harness that was part of the personal fall arrest system required to be worn when standing on top of baled bundles on the elevated conveyor.  Employees were exposed to a fall of approximately 11 feet to the floor below when cutting and removing the baling wire from the bundles.       Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).