OSHA Inspection: COLUMBIA RECYCLING CORPORATION

Issued

Mar 26, 2013

Abate by

May 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,200 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms or service rooms were not kept clean and orderly or in a sanitary condition:    (1) In the Production Areas of Buildings 4 and 5, combustible dust and lint was allowed to accumulate on ceiling pipes, roof structures, and carpet recycling machinery, creating a fire hazard.

Issued

Mar 26, 2013

Abate by

May 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances E200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): Floor(s) of workroom(s) were not maintained in a clean condition:    (1) In the Production Areas of Buildings 4 and 5, combustible dust and carpet material was allowed to accumulate on the floor, creating a fire and tripping hazard.

Issued

Mar 26, 2013

Abate by

Apr 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,250 · Current $2,550 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(3)(ii):  Where operating conditions necessitate the feeding of material into any hatchway or chute opening, protection was not provided to prevent a person from falling through the opening:    (1) In Building 2, Laroche guillotine lines 1, 2 & 3, the employer did not provide protection for employees feeding material into a chute opening measuring 40 inches wide by 18 feet long to prevent employees from falling through the opening up to 5 feet to the next lower level, exposing the employees to fall and amputation hazards.

Issued

Mar 26, 2013

Abate by

May 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,000 · Current $3,600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.38(b): An emergency action plan was not in writing, kept in the workplace, and available to employees for review:    (1) Throughout the establishment, the employer did not ensure that a site specific written emergency action plan was in place in the event of a fire or inclement weather.  Supervisors and other designated employees were required to use portable fire extinguishers and a class II standpipe system to extinguish incipient stage fires without the implementation of an emergency action plan, exposing the employees to a fire hazard.

Issued

Mar 26, 2013

Abate by

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,250 · Current $2,550 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 tank cars, 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:    (1) In Building 4, employees were exposed to a struck-by and an explosion hazard from compressed acetylene and oxygen gas cylinders that were not secured to prevent them from being knocked over. The cylinders were attached to a shop-made welding cart consisting of a general purpose utility dolly which did not provide adequate protection and stability for the compressed gas cylinders.

Issued

Mar 26, 2013

Abate by

Apr 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,250 · Current $2,550 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2150

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.110(h)(6)(ii)(b): Containers were not protected by crash rails or guards to prevent physical damage and they were not protected by virtue of their location:    (1) In the parking area located on the east side of Building 3, an above ground liquefied petroleum gas storage tank was not protected by crash rails or guards to prevent physical damage from motor vehicles operating and parking less than 2 feet away from the tank, exposing the employees to a fire and explosion hazard.

Issued

Mar 26, 2013

Abate by

May 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(B): The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy:    (1) The employer did not develop and utilize specific procedures for the control of hazardous energy sources when employees were engaged in equipment servicing or maintenance of carpet recycling equipment, such as, but not limited to; cutters, cleaners, shredders, balers and guillotines. Employees were exposed to electrical and amputation hazards.

Issued

Mar 26, 2013

Abate by

Apr 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,100 · Current $3,060 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1): Portable Fire Extinguishers were not mounted, located and identified so that they were readily accessible without subjecting the employees to injuries:    (1) Throughout Buildings 4 and 5, the location of the portable fire extinguishers were not clearly identified to ensure that they were readily accessible, exposing the employees to fire hazards.

Issued

Mar 26, 2013

Abate by

Apr 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,100 · Current $3,060 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(1): An educational program was not provided for employees to familiarize them with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting:    (1) The employer did not instruct the employees in the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards associated with incipient stage firefighting, exposing the employees to a fire hazard. Supervisors were required to use portable fire extinguishers for incipient stage fires.

Issued

Mar 26, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,250 · Current $2,550 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:    (1) In Building 4, the motorized conveyor belt on the RETECK #1 was unguarded, exposing the employees to pinch points created by rotating parts.    (2) In Building 4, the RETECK #3 machine had an unguarded 3" by 4-1/2" opening exposing the employees to pinch points and amputation hazards created by rotating parts.    (3) In Building 2, an employee was exposed to a crushed-by hazard while operating the Pierret grinder with an unguarded moving part.

Issued

Mar 26, 2013

Abate by

Apr 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,250 · Current $2,550 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv): Flexible cords and/ or cables were used for purposes prohibited by paragraphs (A) through (F) of 29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(a):    (1) In the break area of Building 2, electrical flexible cords attached to metal structures were being used to provide electrical power to equipment and appliances, exposing the employees to an electrical and fire hazard.    (2) In Building 2, a flexible cord was being used in lieu of permanent wiring to provide electrical power to the Pierret grinder. The cord was concealed under the equipment, exposing the employees to an electrical hazard.