OSHA Inspection: SBJ RECYCLING, INC.

Issued

Jan 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,155 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent) and toeboards.    a) Production area, extruder platform:  The employer exposed employees to fall hazards of 5.5 feet as the working platform was not equipped with a standard railing.  Employees were not provided any other forms of fall protection systems (personal fall arrest systems, safety nets, guardrails, etc.) while accessing the platform to load materials in a hopper.      b) Production area, grinder #1 platform:  The employer exposed employees to fall hazards of 4.5 feet as the working platform was not equipped with a standard railing.  Employees were not provided any other forms of fall protection systems (personal fall arrest systems, safety nets, guardrails, etc.) while accessing the platform to load materials in the grinding area.      c) Production area, grinder #3 platform: The employer exposed employees to fall hazards of 6.5 feet as the working platform was not equipped with a standard railing.  Employees were not provided any other forms of fall protection systems (personal fall arrest systems, safety nets, guardrails, etc.) while accessing the platform to load materials in the grinding area.      d) Production area, grinder #5 platform: The employer exposed employees to fall hazards of 5.5 feet as the working platform was not equipped with a standard railing.  Employees were not provided any other forms of fall protection systems (personal fall arrest systems, safety nets, guardrails, etc.) while accessing the platform to load materials in the grinding area.

Issued

Jan 10, 2013

Abate by

Feb 6, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,695 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1): The employer did not establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury.     a) Production area: On or about 9/11/2012, the employer had not established or implemented a lockout tagout program with written machine specific procedures, training and annual inspections of the program to ensure that it was appropriate for protecting employees who perform service and/or maintenance on machinery or equipment such as, grinders, conveyors, extruders, balers, splitters, guillotine, shredders, and electrical equipment.

Issued

Jan 10, 2013

Abate by

Feb 15, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,695 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Point(s) of operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s).    a) Production area, guillotine machine: The employer failed to guard the blade on the guillotine machine that was being used to cut textile materials, exposing employees to amputation hazards.

Issued

Jan 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,155 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    a) Production area, grinder #5 motor: The employer did not affix a guard to the belt pulley on the grinder machine motor with a stationary enclosure, exposing employees to caught-in hazards associated with rotating parts.  Employees use the machine to grind plastic materials for recycling purposes.

Issued

Jan 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(4): Vertical belts running over a lower pulley more than seven (7) feet above floor or platform were not guarded at the bottom in the same manner as horizontal overhead belts, if conditions are as stated in paragraphs (e)(2)(ii) (a) and (c) of this section.    a) Production area, grinder #5 motor: The employer did not affix a guard or stationary enclosure to the vertical belt which was attached to a pulley on the grinder machine, exposing employees to caught-in hazards associated with rotating parts.  Employees use the machine to grind plastic materials for recycling purposes.

Issued

Jan 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,155 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven -7 feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:    a) Production area, grinder #5:  The employer failed to guard sprockets and chains that were less than seven feet above the platform on the grinder machine with a stationary enclosure, exposing employees to the nip point hazards associated with rotating parts.

Issued

Jan 10, 2013

Abate by

Jan 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,925 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:    a) Production area, extruder:  The employer exposed employees to electrical shock hazards of 240 volts as a thermal electrical panel had a blank opening that was missing a fitting.  The hazard was near the control panel which operates the extruder.

Issued

Jan 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,155 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(D): Flexible cords and cables were attached to building surfaces.    a) Production area:  The employer exposed employees to electrical shock and fire hazards as flexible cords which supply electricity to the guillotine machine were attached to building surfaces.  Several employees were working in close proximity to the hazard and were exposed for the duration of their shift.

Issued

Jan 10, 2013

Abate by

Jan 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,155 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):     a) Written hazard communication program: The employer exposed employees to chemical hazards due to the company not developing or implementing a written Hazardous Communication Program prior to using chemicals, such as but not limited to, propane, oil, and grease.