OSHA Inspection: REYNOLDS POLYMER TECHNOLOGY, INC

Issued

Aug 2, 2012

Abate by

Aug 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,443 · Current $2,300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

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 were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to flammable hazards:     a)	Reynolds Polymer Technology, Inc. at 607 Hollingsworth St., Grand Junction, CO 81506: On and before 3/5/12, the employer did not ensure that flammable chemicals such as Lucite syrup were stored in a laboratory-safe or flammable material refrigerator/freezer. This condition exposed employees to fire and burn hazards.     Abatement Note: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct the hazard is to adopt NFPA 45, 12.2.2.1 Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals that states the following. Each refrigerator, freezer, or cooler shall be prominently marked to indicate whether it meets the requirements for safe storage of flammable liquids. A Laboratory-safe or flammable material refrigerator/freezers should be used for the storage of flammable chemicals. The refrigerators must be U.L. Listed as Flammable Material Storage Refrigerators.

Issued

Aug 2, 2012

Abate by

Aug 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,756 · Current $1,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open sided floor(s) or platform(s) 4 feet or more above the adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded by standard railings or the equivalent as specified in 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(3)(i) through (v)), on all open sides:    (a)	Reynolds Polymer Technology, Inc. at 607 Hollingsworth St., Grand Junction, CO 81506: On and before 3/5/12, the employer did not ensure that the railing on the platform for the dumpster was equipped with a standard railing to guard against falling in that there was no guardrail. This condition exposed employees to a fall hazard in excess of 51-1/2 inches.        Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Aug 2, 2012

Abate by

Aug 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(e)(1): Standard railing(s) did not consist of top rail, intermediate rail and/or posts and/or did not have a vertical height of 42 inches (106.7 cm) nominal from upper surface of top rail to floor, platform runway, or ramp level:    (a)	Reynolds Polymer Technology, Inc. at 607 Hollingsworth St., Grand Junction, CO 81506: On and before 3/5/12, the employer did not ensure guardrails consisted of a top and mid rail with a vertical height of 42 inches. This condition exposed employees to a fall hazard of approximately 7 feet while on the tool prep.      Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Aug 2, 2012

Abate by

Aug 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,443 · Current $2,300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1): The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces:    (a)	Reynolds Polymer Technology, Inc. at 607 Hollingsworth St., Grand Junction, CO 81506: On and before 3/5/12, the employer did evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces. This condition exposed employees to hazards in the autoclaves and the atmospheric tank.     Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Aug 2, 2012

Abate by

Aug 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,443 · Current $2,300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1):  The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure and employee training to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, start up or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment would be isolated, and rendered inoperative in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4):    (a)	Reynolds Polymer Technology, Inc. at 607 Hollingsworth St., Grand Junction, CO 81506: On and before 3/5/12, the employer did not establish a program consisting of energy control procedures and employee training to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, start up or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment would be isolated, and rendered inoperative, including but not limited to the autoclaves.    Abatement Note:  As part of an energy-control program, employers must:               (1)     Establish energy-control procedures for removing the energy supply from machines and for putting appropriate lockout or tagout devices on the energy-isolating devices to prevent unexpected re-energization.  When appropriate, procedure also must address stored or potentially re-accumulated energy.             (2)     Train employees on the energy-control program, including the safe application, use, and removal of energy controls; and             (3)     Inspect these procedures periodically (at least annually) to ensure that they are being followed and that they remain effective in preventing employee exposure to hazardous energy.          The energy-control procedures must outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques that employees will use to control hazardous energy sources, as well as the means that will be used to enforce compliance.  These procedures must provide employees at least the following information.           (1)     A statement on how to use the procedures;         (2)     Specific procedural steps to shut down, isolate, block, and secure machines;         (3)     Specific steps designating the safe placement, removal, and transfer of lockout/tagout devices and identifying who has responsibility for the lockout/Tagout devices; and         (4)     Specific requirements for testing machines to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy-control measures.

Issued

Aug 2, 2012

Abate by

Aug 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(2)(i):When outside servicing personnel were engaged in activities in a facility, the onsite employer and the outside employer did not inform each other of their respective lockout or tagout procedures:    (a)	Reynolds Polymer Technology, Inc. at 607 Hollingsworth St., Grand Junction, CO 81506: On and before 3/5/12, the employer did not ensure that when outside servicing personnel were engaged in activities in a facility, Reynolds Polymer and the outside employer informed each other of their respective lockout or tagout procedures. Outside vendor performed servicing of the autoclave. The autoclave had multiple energy sources including electrical, mechanical and thermal. Reynolds Polymer did not provide to the vendor an energy control procedure that specifically outlined the steps for shutting down, isolating, and securing the hazardous energy of the autoclave. This condition exposed employees of contractors to uncontrolled energy hazards.      Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Aug 2, 2012

Abate by

Aug 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,511 · Current $2,300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): Machine guarding was not provided to protect operator(s) and other employees from hazards created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:      (a)	Reynolds Polymer Technology, Inc. at 607 Hollingsworth St., Grand Junction, CO 81506: On and before 3/5/12, the employer did not protect employees from hazards created by operating a band saw with an opening to an unused portion of the blade, a table saw that was unguarded and a bench planer guard that did not re. This condition exposed employees to amputation and crush hazards.      1)	Band saw   2)	Table saw  3)	Bench planer/jointer    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Aug 2, 2012

Abate by

Aug 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,756 · Current $1,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4): Projecting shaft ends shall present a smooth edge and end and shall not project more than one-half the diameter of the shaft unless guarded by nonrotating caps or safety sleeves:      (a)	Reynolds Polymer Technology, Inc. at 607 Hollingsworth St., Grand Junction, CO 81506: On and before 3/5/12, the employer did not protect employees from hazards created by projecting shaft ends. The casting roller shafts projected more than one-half the diameter of the shaft. It was measured at 8 inches, 7-1/2 inches, 3-1/2 inches and 10 inches long past the casting equipment. This condition exposed employees to caught in hazards.      Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Aug 2, 2012

Abate by

Aug 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,756 · Current $1,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii):  All unused openings in cabinets, boxes, and fittings shall be effectively closed:    (a)	Reynolds Polymer Technology, Inc. at 607 Hollingsworth St., Grand Junction, CO 81506: On and before 3/5/12, the employer did not protect employees from hazards created by missing knockouts in 120/208 volts electrical panels located in the fabrication area, L2 breaker near the back door and Panel LF. This condition exposed employees to electrical hazards.     Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Aug 2, 2012

Abate by

Aug 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief is provided that will prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws:    (a)	Reynolds Polymer Technology, Inc. at 607 Hollingsworth St., Grand Junction, CO 81506: On and before 3/5/12, the employer did not ensure the cord to the plug on the drill press, heat wire, and cord on TC box was connected so that strain relief is provided that will prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws. This condition exposed the employee to electrical shock.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Aug 2, 2012

Abate by

Aug 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a): Abrasive wheels shall be used only on machines provided with safety guards:      (a)	Reynolds Polymer Technology, Inc. at 607 Hollingsworth St., Grand Junction, CO 81506: On and before 3/5/12, the employer did not ensure that the bench grinder had a guard that effectively kept employees from coming into contact with the wheel and grindings. The guard on the bench grinder was missing. This condition exposed employees to laceration hazards.      Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").