OSHA Inspection: COMPOSTUSA, INC.

Issued

Mar 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.27(f): "Maintenance" All ladders were not maintained in a safe condition:    a. On or about January 17, 2013, in the grinder area, on the left side of the grinder, the ladder used to access the upper portion of the grinder was damaged and not maintained in a safe condition, exposing employees to an 8-foot fall hazard.    b. On or about January 17, 2013, in the grinder area, on the right side of the grinder, the ladder used to access the upper portion of the grinder was damaged and not maintained in a safe condition, exposing employees to an 8-foot fall hazard.

Issued

Mar 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $800 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 tankcars, 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: cylinders stored in upright positions and immobilized by chains or other means to prevent them from being knocked over:    a. On or about January 17, next to the maintenance trailer, an acetylene gas cylinder was stored next to hydraulic 55-gallon drum and not chained or secured to prevent from being knocked over, exposing employees to an explosive hazard.

Issued

Mar 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:    a. On or about January 17, 2013, employees working in and around earth moving equipment, industrial waste grinders, and dump trucks did not wear personal protective equipment, such as high visibility clothing.

Issued

Mar 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): Protective eye equipment was not required where there was a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented by such equipment:    a. On or about January 17, 2013, in the mulch area, employees working with heavy industrial grinding equipment did not wear eye protection, exposing themsleves to being struck by flying wood chips.

Issued

Mar 11, 2013

Abate by

Apr 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1):  The employer did not establish an energy control 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 energizing, start up or release of stored energy could occurr and cause injury, the machine or equipment would be isolated, and rendered inoperative:    a. On or about January 17, 2013, the employer did not establish an energy control program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections for employees servicing equipment.

Issued

Mar 11, 2013

Abate by

Apr 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(b): Machine(s) designed for fixed location(s) were not securely anchored to prevent walking or moving:    a. On or about January 17, 2013, in the maintenance trailer, the 6-inch Craftsman bench grinder was not mounted to the work bench, exposing employees to being strruck by the grinder.

Issued

Mar 11, 2013

Abate by

Apr 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(1):  Abrasive wheel(s) used on grinding machinery were not used with safety guard;    a. On or about January 17, 2013, in the maintenance trailer, the 6-inch Craftsman bench grinder did not have guards, exposing employees to being struck by or caught in the abrasive wheels of the grinder.

Issued

Mar 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4): Grinding machinery was not used with work rest(s) to support offhand grinding work:    On or about January 17, 2013, in the maintenance trailer, the 6-inch Craftsman bench grinder did have a tool rest, exposing employees to being caught in the rotating abrasive wheel.

Issued

Mar 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9): Guard for abrasive wheel machine where the operator stands in front of the machine was not constructed so that the peripheral protecting member could be adjusted to the constantly decreasing diameter of the wheel:    a. On or about January 17, 2013, in the maintenance trailer, the 6-inch Craftsman bench grinder did not have an adjustable tongue guard, exposing employees to being caught in the rotating abrasive wheel.

Issued

Mar 11, 2013

Abate by

Apr 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(e)(3)(ii)(C)(2): Back flow protection was not provided by an approved device that would prevent oxygen from flowing into the fuel gas system or fuel from flowing into the oxygen system:    a. On or about January 17, 2013, in the maintenance shop, the oxygen/accetylene cutting outfit did not have backflow prevention devices on the guage manifold regulator, exposing employees to explosive hazards.

Issued

Mar 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(e)(3)(ii)(C)(3): Flashback protection was not provided by an approved device that would prevent flame from passing into the fuel gas system:    a. On or about January 17, 2013, in the maintenance shop, the oxygen acetylene torch was attached directly to the hose assembly, exposing employees to explosive hazards.

Issued

Mar 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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. On or about January 17, 2013, the employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain an adequate written hazardous communications program for chemicals such as; Castrol Pardene 68 R&O, Oil 30, No 2 low sulfur diesel, Retnix CMX Grease, Donax TC and Castrol  Hypuron 15W-40.

Issued

Mar 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8): The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical, and did not ensure that they were readily accessible during each work  shift to employees when they were in their work area(s)    a. On or ab out Janaury 17, 2013, the employer did not maintain a copy of safety data sheets for chemicals such as: Castrol Pardene 68 R&O, Oil 30, No 2 low sulfur diesel, Retnix CMX Grease, Donax TC and Castrol  Hypuron 15W-40.