OSHA Inspection: FLEX-N-GATE CORPORATION

Issued

Oct 30, 2012

Abate by

Nov 6, 2012

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii):     The enrgy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, including, but not limited to Items A - D of this section:    Employees working at Weld Cell #8 were exposed to the unexpected energization of the Motoman robot while conducting servicing and maintenance such as  cleaning or changing the welding tips.  The energy control procedures did not include an adequate specific statement of the intended use of the procedure, specific procedural steps for shutting down and isolating equipment to control hazardous energy, specific procedural steps for the placement and removal of lockout devices or specific requirements for testing the eqipiment to determine the effectiveness of the lockout devices.

Issued

Oct 30, 2012

Abate by

Nov 6, 2012

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(3):     All energy isolating devices that were needed to control the energy to the machine or equipment was not physically located and operated in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source:    a.  Employees working at Weld Cell #8 were exposed to the unexpected energization of the Motoman robot while conducting servicing and maintenance such as cleaning or changing the welding tips and all energy isolating devices that were needed to control the energy to the weld cell were not located so as to isolate the equipment from its energy source.    b.  Employees working at Weld Cell #14 were exposed to the unexpected energization of the FANUC robot while conducting servicing and maintenance such as cleaning or changing the welding tips and all energy isolating devices that were needed to control the energy to the weld cell were not located so as to isolate the equipment from its energy source.

Issued

Oct 30, 2012

Abate by

Nov 6, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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.  Employees working at Weld Cell #8 were exposed to the unexpected energization of the Motoman robot while conducting servicing and maintenance such as cleaning or changing the welding tips because the Telemecanique XCS Interlock safety switch had a length of chain between the access gate and the interlock key tongue which allowed the access gate to open without initiating a stop signal.  The chain installed on the access door on Weld Cell #8 allowed the gate to have an opening of nine inches without initiating the stop signal.    b.  Employees working at Weld Cell #14 were exposed to the unexpected energization of the FANUC robot while conducting servicing and maintenance such as cleaning or changing the welding tips because the Telemecanique XCS Interlock safety switch had a length of chain between the access gate and the interlock key tongue which allowed the access gate to open without initiating a stop signal.  The chain installed on the access door on Weld Cell #14 allowed the gate to have an opening of 5-1/2 inches without initiating the stop signal.