OSHA Inspection: STONE BUILDING PRODUCTS, LLC

Issued

Nov 7, 2012

Abate by

Jan 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1):  The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces:    (a)Stone Building Products, LLC  @ 211 30th St., Greeley, CO 80631:  On and before October 11th, 2012, the employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces at the facility.  The ACT batch plant where employees have to enter hoppers and the planetary mixer utilized in the process for potential use.  None of these items were identified as permit-required confined spaces.    Abatement Note:  "Confined space" means a space that:    (1)	Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and    (2)	Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry.); and    (3)	Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.    If it is determined that employees will not enter permit spaces, the employer shall take effective measures to prevent its employees from entering the permit spaces and shall comply with 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(6), and (c)(8).    If it is determined that employees will enter permit spaces, the employer shall develop and implement a written permit space program that complies with 29 CFR 1910.146. The written program shall be available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives.

Issued

Nov 7, 2012

Abate by

Jan 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2): The employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces:    (a)Stone Building Products, LLC @ 211 30th St., Greeley, CO 80631:  On and before October 11th, 2012, the employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces which includes but is not limited to the ACT Batch plant hoppers and mixers in the batch plant room.    Abatement Note:  A sign reading "DANGER-PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER" or using other similar language would satisfy the requirement for a sign.

Issued

Nov 7, 2012

Abate by

Jan 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4): If the employer decides that its employees will enter permit spaces, the employer shall develop and implement a written permit space program that complies with this section. The written program shall be available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives.    (a)Stone Building Products, LLC @ 211 30th St., Greeley, CO 80631:  On and before October 11th, 2012, the employer did not develop and implement a written permit space program for employees entering the mixer to perform cleaning operations. Employees enter the mixer located within the process associated with the ACT batch plant to clean. This condition exposed employees to hazards such as but not limited to; silica, noise, and mechanical hazards associated with mixing paddles.

Issued

Nov 7, 2012

Abate by

Nov 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1):  The employer did not establish a program consisting of energy control procedures and employee training to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, start up or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment would be isolated from the energy source, and rendered inoperative in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4):    (a) Stone Building Products, LLC @ 211 30th St., Greeley, CO 80631:  On and before October 11th, 2012, the employer did not establish a program consisting of energy control procedures and employee training to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, start up or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment would be isolated from the energy source, and rendered inoperative, including but not limited to the following:    (1)  ACT Batch Plant Skip   (3)  ACT Batch Plant Planetary Mixer      Abatement Note:  As part of an energy-control program, employers must:    1) Establish energy-control procedures for removing the energy supply from machines and for putting appropriate lockout or tagout devices on the energy-isolating devices to prevent unexpected re-energization. When appropriate, the procedure also must address stored or potentially re-accumulated energy.    2) Train employees on the energy-control program, including the safe application, use, and removal of energy controls; and    3) Inspect these procedures periodically (at least annually) to ensure that they are being followed and that they remain effective in preventing employee exposure to hazardous energy.    The energy-control procedures must outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques that employees will use to control hazardous energy sources, as well as the means that will be used to enforce compliance. These procedures must provide employees at least the following information    1) A statement on how to use the procedures;    2) Specific procedural steps to shut down, isolate, block, and secure machines;    3) Specific steps designating the safe placement, removal, and transfer of lockout/tagout devices and identifying who has responsibility for the lockout/tagout devices; and    4) Specific requirements for testing machines to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy-control measures.

Issued

Nov 7, 2012

Abate by

Nov 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): Operators were not trained in the safe operation of powered industrial trucks:    (a)Stone Building Products, LLC @ 211 30th St., Greeley, CO 80631: On and before October 11th, 2012, the employer did not ensure all forklift operators were trained in operation of powered industrial trucks, in that the operators were not trained in the use of the Nissan or Yale forklifts prior to their use.  This condition exposed the employees to the hazard of improper forklift operation.    Abatement Note: Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.

Issued

Nov 7, 2012

Abate by

Nov 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,520 · Current $1,260 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1):  Machine guarding was not provided to protect operator(s) and other employees from hazard(s) created by rotating parts:    (a) Stone Building Products, LLC @ 211 30th St., Greeley, CO 80631:  On and before October 11th, 2012 the employer did not ensure that in the Batch Plant Area, the ATC Batch Plant had perimeter barrier guarding in place around the skip and tail end conveyor. The access door, which could be opened and entered through during operating cycles had a broken handle latch and locking mechansim. The condition exposed employees to the hazard of being struck-by or crushed as a result of coming into contact with the moving skip.    (b) Stone Building Products, LLC @ 211 30th St., Greeley, CO 80631:  On and before October 11th, 2012 the employer did not ensure that in the Batch Plant Area, the planetary countercurrent concrete mixer hatches were locked during operating cycles. The hatch openings, which employees opened during operation to add color to the concrete mix, had a broken handle latches and locking mechansims. The condition exposed employees to the hazard of being struck-by or crushed as a result of coming into contact with the mixing paddles.    (c) Stone Building Products, LLC @ 211 30th St., Greeley, CO 80631:  On and before October 11th, 2012 the employer did not ensure that the stone line auger was guarded during operations. The auger which was located within the batch plant area measured approximately 6' 7" from the floor and was inadequately guarded to prevent inadvertant contact with the auger blade.  The condition exposed employees to an amputation hazard.