OSHA Inspection: BELTEX CORPORATION

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 9, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,400 · Current $3,510 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(8)(ii): Every floor hole into which persons could accidently walk was not guarded by a floor hole cover of standard strength and construction:    On or about October 17, 2012, employees working in the Boar Hyde collection area were not protected from falling into open holes.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 9, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,095 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):      On or about September 28, 2012, and at times prior thereto and after, employees operated meat band saws without adjusting the point of operation guards to the material height or up to a 1/4 of the material being cut. Employees were exposed to amputation hazards by the rotating blades.    a. In the deboning room, room 7041B, an employee operated a model 55 power meat band saw, cutting pieces of beef and bone, pushing the beef through the blade area with his hands, arms and shoulders.  The blade guard was locked in the upright highest point and not adjusted to the height of the meat being cut.  The employee was exposed to approximately 10 inches of blade above the meat being cut.    b. In the deboning room, room 7041B, an adjacent model 55 power meat band saw was not in use and the blade guard was in the upright highest position exposing the full blade.  The blade guard was not lowered to prevent accidental contact by employees.  Employees were exposed to approximately 14 inches of an unguarded blade.     c. In the Kosher room, an employee operated a smaller fixed head power meat band saw and the blade guard was locked in the upright highest point and the employee was pushing meat through the unguarded rotating saw blade with his hands and arms.  The employee was exposed to approximately 10 inches of the unguarded blade.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 9, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,340 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(i): Unguarded projecting shaft end(s) did not present a smooth edge and end and projected more than one half the diameter of the shaft:      On or about September 28, 2012, in the deboning room, employees wearing long sleeve aprons were cutting beef and placing the beef and bone parts onto the conveyer.  The conveyer had a rotating shaft that extended approximately 4 inches, exposing employees to being caught in the rotating shaft.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 9, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,095 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:    Employees working in the Boar Hyde collection area, outside the small kill room, operated a conveyer belt and were exposed to unguarded sprockets and chain.  The employer had a metal cover over the top and did not fully enclose or cover the sprockets and chain.     a. On or about October 17, 2012 and at times prior thereto, employees operated the conveyer and were exposed to being caught in the sprockets and chain.    b. On or about January 29, 2013, employees operated the conveyer and the sprockets and chain were still unguarded.  The sprockets and chain were visible and not fully guarded to prevent employee exposure.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,095 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:      On or about September 28, 2012, and at times prior thereto, employees performing meat processing activities and sterilizing activities used flexible cords and extension cords running through conduit and in lieu of permanent wiring.    a. In the large kill floor room, employees used flexible cords throughout the room to energize sterilizer boxes and electrical equipment daily.  Approximately 28 instances in this room.    b. In the small kill floor room, employees used flexible cords throughout the room to energize sterilizer boxes and electrical equipment daily.  Approximately 10 instances in this room.    c. In the Kosher room, employees used flexible cords throughout the room to energize sterilizer boxes and electrical equipment daily.  Approximately 10 instances in this room.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(B): The employer did not ensure that flexible cords and/or cables were run through holes in walls, ceilings, or floors:    On or about September 28, 2012 and at times prior thereto, employees performing meat processing activities and sterilizing activities used flexible cords and extension cords running through holes in ceilings, walls and floors.    a. In the large kill floor room, employees used a 220 volt flexible cords that was routed through the wall and several 110 volt extension cords routed through holes in the floors and walls to energize sterilizer boxes and electrical equipment daily.    b. In the small kill floor room, employees used flexible cords routed through holes in the ceilings and walls to energize sterilizer boxes and electrical equipment daily.  Approximately 8 instances in this room.      c. In the wash room, employees used flexible cords routed through holes in the walls and floors energize electrical equipment daily.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,095 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(j)(2)(iv): A receptacle installed in a wet or damp location was not suitable for the location:    On or about September 28, 2012 and at times prior thereto, employees performing meat processing and sanitary activities used electrical equipment plugged into receptacles that were not suitable for wet or damp locations and were not connected to GFCI's. Employees were exposed to electrocution and fire hazards.    a. In the large kill floor area, employees plugged sanitizers and cleaning equipment into receptacles that were missing wet location box covers and did not have a GFCI.    b. In the large kill floor area, employees plugged sanitizers and electrical equipment into a receptacle that the cover was coming off and exposing internal wires and receptacle and did not have a GFCI.    c. In the small kill floor area, employees plugged sanitizers and cleaning equipment into receptacles that were missing wet location box covers and did not have a GFCI.