OSHA Inspection: ECO SOUTHEAST, LLC

Issued

Mar 18, 2013

Abate by

Apr 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent) and toeboards.  Note: Toeboards are only required when persons can pass, there is moving equipment or there is equipment with which falling materials could create a hazard.    On or about 2/13/13, in the production area, employees were exposed to fall hazards including the following areas:    1 - Top Platform of Ribbon Blender - 11'2" fall to lower concrete levels  2 - Densifier Platform - On the entry side from upper to lower platform = 5' fall                                  On opposite side to lower concrete levels = 9'6"    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Mar 18, 2013

Abate by

Apr 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(ii): The distance between rungs exceeded 12 inches and were not uniform throughout the ladder.    On or about 2/13/13, at the Ribbon Blender in the production area, the ladder to the top of the blender was not uniform in that a rung was missing. A rung was missing leaving an 18" opening.    No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.

Issued

Mar 18, 2013

Abate by

Apr 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · 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.    On or about 2/13/13, in the extrusion area, employees were exposed to struck by hazards as a Nitrogen tank was left unsecured at the extruder control panel.     No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.

Issued

Mar 18, 2013

Abate by

May 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,300 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 any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, 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.    On or about 2/13/13, at the Oakwood facility, the employer did not establish a lockout/tagout program for employees expected to provide service and maintenance to equipment at the facility. Equipment includes the following: Ribbon blender, extruder, dryer, classifier, blending silo and the densifier. Energies contained on the equipment includes hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and heat energies.     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 18, 2013

Abate by

May 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 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 2/13/13, at the Oakwood facility, the employer has not created a fire extinguisher training program for employees who are expected to use fire extinguishers at the facility.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Mar 18, 2013

Abate by

May 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(a)(4): Modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operation of powered industrial truck were performed by the employer without the manufacturer's prior written approval.    On or about 2/13/13, in the production area, the employer permitted use of a job built man basket for use on the forklift without the manufacturer's prior written approval.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Mar 18, 2013

Abate by

May 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 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.    On or about 2/13/13, in the production area, the Porter Cable bench grinder (serial #030940) was not equipped with a work rest.     No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.

Issued

Mar 18, 2013

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.    On or about 2/13/13, in the production area, the Porter Cable bench grinder (serial #030940) was not equipped with a tongue guard.     No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.

Issued

Mar 18, 2013

Abate by

May 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $800 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 2/13/13, in the production area, compressed air was used for cleaning equipment and drying the floor and was set to 180 psi.     No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.

Issued

Mar 18, 2013

Abate by

May 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling.    On or about 2/13/13, in the production shop area, a 240 volt receptacle was being used as a cord plug/extension cord and was not intended for that purpose.     No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.

Issued

Mar 18, 2013

Abate by

May 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(h)(6): Connectors used to connect lengths of cable in a run were not of a type that locked firmly together. Provisions were not made to prevent opening or closing these connectors while energized. Strain relief was not provided at connections and terminations.    On or about 2/13/13, in the production shop area, employees were exposed to shock hazards as the strain relief on the 600 volt electrical disconnect was exhausted and pulled away from the electrical housing.     No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.

Issued

Mar 18, 2013

Abate by

May 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.4(a): The employer did not record each work-related fatality, injury or illness case that resulted in the general recording criteria on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent.      On or about 2/13/13, at the Oakwood faciliity, the employer did not keep OSHA 300 logs. The employer incurred a documented injury in 12/2012 and did not record the injury on an OSHA 300 log.     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.