OSHA Inspection: ALCO TOOL, INC.

Issued

Nov 2, 2012

Abate by

Nov 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,940 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1):  The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure, employee training, and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performed servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative.    The employer does not provide his employees with a program entailing written energy control procedures, training, and periodic inspections for conducting Lockout/Tagout activities when performing service, maintenance and setup to equipment. This violation was observed on or about October 10, 2012 at the facility where employees did not adequately perform Lockout/Tagout and did not have specific documented procedures . This condition exposed the employees to electrical and struck-by hazards.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that a  program is establish consisting of an energy control procedure, employee training, and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performs servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment that the machine or equipment is isolated from the energy source(s) and rendered inoperative.

Issued

Nov 2, 2012

Abate by

Nov 3, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,940 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.    The employer does not guard machinery to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area.  This violation was observed on or about October 10, 2012, at the facility where employees were exposed to struck-by and caught-in hazards when operating machine lathes that did not have the chucks guarded.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that guards are installed on all machines to protect employees.

Issued

Nov 2, 2012

Abate by

Nov 3, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,100 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).    The employer does not guard the point of operation of machines whose operation exposed employees to injury.  This violation was observed on or about October 10, 2012, in the front shop where employees were exposed to struck-by and caught-in hazards when operating DOOSAN CNC lathes that had their interlocks manipulated or disabled.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that guards and safety systems are installed and are operational on all machines to protect employees from the point of operation.

Issued

Nov 2, 2012

Abate by

Nov 3, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4):  Work rest(s) on grinding machinery were not adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one eighth inch.    The employer does not ensure the use and proper adjustment of work rests on bench grinder units whose operation exposes employees to injury.      a. This violation was observed on or about October 10, 2012 in the Drill Shop where employees were exposed to a struck-by hazard when operating a Baldor bench grinder with the left and right work rests 2.25 inches and 2.5 inches from the abrasive wheel.    b. This violation was observed on or about October 10, 2012 in the Back Shop where employees were exposed to a struck-by hazard when operating a Baldor bench grinder with the left work rest 1 inch from the abrasive wheel.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that guards are properly installed and adequately adjusted on all grinders.

Issued

Nov 2, 2012

Abate by

Nov 3, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9):  The distance between the abrasive wheel periphery(s) and the adjustable tongue or the end of the safety guard peripheral member at the top exceeded one fourth inch.    The employer does not ensure the use and proper adjustment of tongue guards on bench grinder units whose operation exposes employees to injury.      a. This violation was observed on or about October 10, 2012 in the Drill Shop where employees were exposed to a struck-by hazard when operating a Baldor bench grinder with the left and right tongue guards 1.5 inches and 1.25 inches from the abrasive wheel.    b. This violation was observed on or about October 10, 2012 in the Back Shop where employees were exposed to a struck-by hazard when operating a Baldor bench grinder with the left and right tongue guards 1.75 inches and 1 inch from the abrasive wheel.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that guards are properly installed and adequately adjusted on all grinders.

Issued

Nov 2, 2012

Abate by

Nov 3, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,100 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.    The employer does not guard the chain and sprockets of machines whose operation exposed employees to injury.      a. This violation was observed on or about October 10, 2012, in the Drill Shop where employees were exposed to caught-in hazards when working near and walking by a chain and sprocket drive that was not guarded.    b. This violation was observed on or about October 10, 2012, in the Front Shop where employees were exposed to caught-in hazards when working near and walking by a chain and sprocket drive that was not guarded.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that guards are installed on chain and sprocket

Issued

Nov 2, 2012

Abate by

Nov 3, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,260 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b):  Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.    The employer does not reduce the air pressure used for cleaning to less than 30 p.s.i.  This violation was observed on or about October 10, 2012, in the back shop where compressed air used for cleaning manufactured parts was measured to be 60 p.s.i.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that all compressed air used for cleaning is reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.