OSHA Inspection: ATEX, INC.

Issued

Mar 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,529 · Current $1,265 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(b)(1)(i): Every wall opening from which there was a drop of more than 4 feet was not guarded by one of the following: Rail, roller, picket fence, half door, or equivalent barrier. Where there is exposure below to falling materials, a removable toe board or the equivalent shall also be provided. When the opening is not in use for handling materials, the guard shall be kept in position regardless of a door on the opening. In addition, a grab handle shall be provided on each side of the opening with its center approximately 4 feet above floor level and of standard strength and mounting.    On or about 1/31/13, in the production area on top of the Line 1 Control Room, employees were exposed to fall hazards greater than 10'. The employer did not ensure fall protection was provided to employees required to enter this area.    No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.

Issued

Mar 12, 2013

Abate by

Apr 26, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,900

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section.    On or about 1/31/13, at the Gainesville facility, the employer did not ensure specific written procedures were developed, documented and utilized for the control of hazardous energy when employees were engaged in service and maintenance for that equipment. Missing procedures include but are not limited to Line 3 and portions of Lines 1 and 2.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,785 · Current $895 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(5)(ii): Lockout devices and tagout devices were not singularly identified.    On or about 1/31/13, in the Production room at Line 3, employees affixing locks and tags under the company LOTO program were not identifying themselves on the tags and instead left unidentified locks and tags on the equipment.     No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.

Issued

Mar 12, 2013

Abate by

Apr 26, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed.    On or about 1/31/13, at the Gainesville facility, for the completed specific written LOTO procedures the employer had implemented, the employer did not ensure a periodic inspection was performed at least annually.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 12, 2013

Abate by

Apr 26, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Authorized employee(s) did not receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation.     On or about 1/31/13, at the Gainesville facility, employees were performing service and maintenance to various equipment at the facility but had not been identified and trained as "Authorized" persons under the LOTO program.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 12, 2013

Abate by

Apr 26, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,785 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(1): An educational program was not provided for all employees to familiarize them with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting.    On or about 1/31/13, at the Gainesville facility, the employer did not ensure all employees received annual fire extinguisher training. Eight employees were not provided training.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Mar 12, 2013

Abate by

Jan 1, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,900

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.    On or about 1/31/13, in the production area, the employer did not ensure machine guarding was provided to protect employees in the following locations:    1 - Line 2 at the Winder Area  in going nip points at the belts on the Winder machine- abated during the inspection   2 - Lines 1 & 2 - at point of operations at the beam near the press roller during the choke removal process - employees are within 19 to 29 cm of high speed rollers during the choke removal process    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(3): Vertical or inclined shafting seven -7 feet or less from floor or working platform was not enclosed with stationary casing(s).    On or about 1/31/13, at the top of Line 1, rotating vertical shafts within 7' of the floor were not encased or enclosed.     No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.

Issued

Mar 12, 2013

Abate by

Jan 1, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,023 · Current $1,015 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..    On or about 1/31/13, in production rooms, employees were exposed to embolism hazards as compressed air was used in the facility for cleaning purposes and was not reduced to less than 30 psi. Areas included the following:    1 - Top of Line 1 - compressed air measured >80 psi  2 - End of Line 2 - compressed air measured >100 psi    No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.

Issued

Mar 12, 2013

Abate by

Jan 1, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,785 · Current $895 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(j)(1)(i): Fixtures, lampholders, lamps, rosettes, and receptacles located within 8 feet of the floor had live parts exposed to employee contact.    On or about 1/31/13, in the production area at the top of Line 1, employees were exposed to live electrical parts as 2 receptacles were without a cover exposing the live portion of the receptacle.    No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.