OSHA Inspection: WILLIMANTIC WASTE PAPER COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Jul 27, 2012

Abate by

Sep 10, 2012

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $6,000 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 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 struck-by and laceration hazards while processing scrap compressed gas cylinders:  Metal Yard, Non-Ferrous Processing Area:  On, or about, April 9, 2012, a employee was seriously injured when he attempted to cut a pressurized cylinder in alligator shears as part of the scrap processing operation.  The company lacked adequate procedures to deal with processing compressed gas cylinders.

Issued

Jul 27, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,550 · Current $1,270 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3):  Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:  Bollegraaf Sorting Machine, Stairs at Inclinded Feed Conveyor P-1:  Waste material was allowed to accumulated at the base of the stairs, impeding egress from the machine.

Issued

Jul 27, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,400 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.101(b):  The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, rail tankcars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks were not in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in CFR 1910.6:  Metal Yard, Non-Ferrous Processing Area:  Unsecured compressed gas cylinders were stored on an upper building ledge above the alligator shear work area.  Ref. CGA P-1-1965 Section 3.3.1 referencing 2006 CGA P-1 Section 5.7.4.

Issued

Jul 27, 2012

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:  Bollegraaf Sorting Machine:  The start-up alarm system provided on the Bollegraaf Sorting Machine was not adequate.  The alarm could not be heard over the ambient noise levels in the facility.