OSHA Inspection: NORTH HOUSTON MACHINE, INC.

Issued

2013-03-14 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-03-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2000.00 · Current $1200.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The employer does not furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from the recognized hazards of being struck-by, which are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.    a. This violation occurred on or about February 27, 2013, in the fabrication area of the facility where employees were exposed to struck-by hazards when hoisting material using a Coffing brand overhead hoist without a functioning safety latch on the hoisting hook.       b. This violation occurred on or about February 27, 2013, in the fabrication area of the facility where employees were exposed to struck-by hazards when hoisting material using a Jet Electric brand overhead hoist without a functioning safety latch on the hoisting hook.       Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation describing the actions it is taking to ensure that employees are not exposed to struck-by hazards.

Issued

2013-03-14 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-03-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2000.00 · Current $1200.00 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.    The employer does not ensure that employees wear the proper protective equipment while operating forklifts. This violation occurred on or about February 27, 2012, when employees working throughout the facility were exposed to crushed-by hazards while operating a forklift without wearing a seatbelt.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that all employees are trained in the use of, and required to use, seatbelts while operating industrial vehicles.

Issued

2013-03-14 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-03-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2000.00 · Current $1200.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(p)(1): Powered industrial truck(s) found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe had not been  taken out of service until restored to safe operating condition(s).    The employer does not ensure that powered industrial trucks found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe had not been taken out of service until restored to safe operating condition.  This violation occurred on or about February 27, 2013, when a forklift was being used by employees to move materials and equipment throughout the facility was being operated without a functioning horn.     Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that powered industrial trucks found to be in need of repair are restored to safe operating condition before being put back into service.

Issued

2013-03-14 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-03-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1680.00 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.    The employer does not guard all the rotating parts of machines whose operation exposes employees to injury.      a. This violation occurred on or about February 27, 2013, in the fabrication area where employees were exposed to struck-by and caught-by hazards when operating a Wintec TC-35 CNC machine without interlocking door guards.    b. This violation occurred on or about February 27, 2013, in the fabrication area where employees were exposed to struck-by and caught-by hazards when operating an Okuma Crown CNC machine without interlocking door guards.    c. This violation occurred on or about February 27, 2013, in the fabrication area where employees were exposed to struck-by and caught-by hazards when operating a Doosan Puma 300 CNC machine without interlocking door guards.    d. This violation occurred on or about February 27, 2013, in the fabrication area where employees were exposed to struck-by and caught-by hazards when operating a Sogotec CNC machine without interlocking door guards.    e. This violation occurred on or about February 27, 2013, in the fabrication area where employees were exposed to struck-by and caught-by hazards when operating an Excel 510 CNC machine without interlocking door guards.    f. This violation occurred on or about February 27, 2013, in the fabrication area where employees were exposed to struck-by and caught-by hazards when operating an Okuma LB-15 CNC machine without interlocking door guards.    g. This violation occurred on or about February 27, 2013, in the fabrication area where employees were exposed to struck-by and caught-by hazards when operating a Mori Seiki SL-2 CNC machine without interlocking door guards.    h. This violation occurred on or about February 27, 2013, in the fabrication area where employees were exposed to struck-by and caught-by hazards when operating a Dah Lih CNC machine without interlocking door guards.

Issued

2013-03-14 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-03-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1200.00 · Current $720.00 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.    The employer does not ensure that compressed air used for cleaning is reduced to less than 30 p.s.i. to prevent employee injury. This violation occurred on or about February 27, 2013, throughout the facility where employees were exposed to struck-by hazards while blowing off equipment without reducing the air pressure below 30 p.s.i.     Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure the pressure of compressed air used for cleaning purposes is reduced below 30 p.s.i. and chip guarding is used.

Issued

2013-03-14 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-03-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2000.00 · Current $1200.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed.    The employer does not ensure that unused openings in electrical cabinets were fitted with knockouts.  This violation occurred on or about February 27, 2013, on an electrical panel labeled Mill 2 in the fabrication area where employees were exposed to electrical hazards when unused openings were not effectively closed.    Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure the cabinets and fittings are effectively closed.

Issued

2013-03-14 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-03-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): Pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers approved for the purpose.    The employer does not ensure that all junction and outlet boxes are provided with covers.  This violation occurred on or about February 27, 2013 when employees in the facility were exposed to electrical hazards while working near a junction box without a cover.     Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that all electrical boxes and fittings are provided with.

Issued

2013-03-14 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-03-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief was provided that would prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws.    The employer does not ensure that flexible cords used by employees had proper strain relief.  This violation occurred on or about February 27, 2013, in the fabrication area when the outer insulation was pulled back from the top of the control pendant on a Coffing brand hoist allowing strain to be applied to the terminal ends in the control pendant.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation describing the actions it is taking to ensure that control pendants are used in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii).

Issued

2013-03-14 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-03-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met.    The employer has not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program that describes how they will comply with this standard regarding labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training. This violation occurred on or about February 27, 2013, and at times prior thereto, when employees in the facility were required to use hazardous chemicals before a written hazard communication program had been developed and implemented.      Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that a written hazard communication program is developed, implemented, and maintained that includes the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f-h).