OSHA Inspection: MIDWEST COOLING TOWER SERVICES, INC.

Issued

Mar 7, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,785 · Current $1,071 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4):  Work rests. On offhand grinding machines, work rests shall be used to support the work. They shall be of rigid construction and designed to be adjustable to compensate for wheel wear. Work rests shall be kept adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one-eighth inch to prevent the work from being jammed between the wheel and the rest, which may cause wheel breakage. The work rest shall be securely clamped after each adjustment. The adjustment shall not be made with the wheel in motion.      On or about 18 September 2012, in the middle of the main work area, the employer allowed an employee to use a Sears No. 319211260 abrasive wheel grinder with an improperly adjusted work rest to sharpen a drill bit.

Issued

Mar 7, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9):  Exposure adjustment. Safety guards of the types described in Subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this paragraph, where the operator stands in front of the opening, shall be constructed so that the peripheral protecting member can be adjusted to the constantly decreasing diameter of the wheel. The maximum angular exposure above the horizontal plane of the wheel spindle as specified in paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this section shall never be exceeded, and the distance between the wheel periphery and the adjustable tongue or the end of the peripheral member at the top shall never exceed one-fourth inch. (See Figures O-18, O-19, O-20, O-21, O-22, and O-23.)      On or about 18 September 2012, in the middle of the main work area, the employer allowed an employee to use a Sears No. 319211260 abrasive wheel grinder with an improperly adjusted tongue guard to sharpen a drill bit.

Issued

Mar 7, 2013

Abate by

Mar 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,625 · Current $1,575 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii):  Unused openings in cabinets, boxes, and fittings shall be effectively closed.      On or about 18 September 2012, in the middle of the main work area, the employer allowed an employee to be exposed to a breaker box with two missing knockouts.  Moreover, the door to the breaker box would not remain closed thereby increasing the likelihood of accidental contact with electrical current.

Issued

Mar 7, 2013

Abate by

Mar 26, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(f)(2):  Services, feeders, and branch circuits. Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its disconnecting means or overcurrent device, shall be legibly marked to indicate its purpose, unless located and arranged so the purpose is evident.      On or about 18 September 2012, in the middle of the main work area, the employer allowed an employee to be exposed to a breaker box with unmarked breakers in which the purpose of each circuit is not evident.

Issued

Mar 7, 2013

Abate by

Mar 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,575 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(iv):  There shall be no damaged parts that may adversely affect safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment, such as parts that are broken, bent, cut, or deteriorated by corrosion, chemical action, or overheating.      On or about 18 September 2012, in the middle of the main work area, the employer allowed an employee to be exposed to electrical current due to a broken electrical plug on a Dayton drill press.