OSHA Inspection: UNIFAB INDUSTRIES, LLC

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(3): To facilitate cleaning, every floor, working place, and passageway shall be kept free from protruding nails, splinters, holes, or loose boards.     Spiro Machine - Employees stand on an unstable skid with a gap in the boards while operating the Spiro machine.  The employees were exposed to a tripping hazard in the work place from this skid platform.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE):     Shop - The employer did not assess the workplace to determine the types of PPE required for each operation. Employees were observed using a Kenco mechanical punch machine and plasma cutting CNC machines without proper eye protection.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify, through a written certification, the identity of the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation had been performed, and the date the hazard assessment was done:  Shop -  The employer did not verify, through a written certification, the identity of the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation had been performed, and the date the hazard assessment was done.  Employees were observed using a Kenco mechanical punch machine and plasma cutting CNC machines without proper eye protection.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 1, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $2,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(3): 29 CFR 1910.133(a)(3): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee, who wore prescription lenses while engaged in operations that involved eye hazards, used protection that incorporated the prescription in its design, or wore eye protection over the prescription glasses or protective lenses with side shields.      Shop - An employee operated the Kenco mechanical punch press with the Plexiglas guard open to punch 1/4 inch holes into small gutter bracket parts.  The employee wore prescription glasses that did not have safety lenses and did not wear protective lenses over his prescription glasses.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(5): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee used equipment with filter lenses that had a shade number appropriate for the work being performed for protection from injurious light radiation    CNC Plasma Cutter - An employee operated the CNC plasma cutter while wearing safety glasses with no shading.  The employee was exposed to the light radiation of the plasma cutting process when the cutting operation approached the edged of the table where the material was being cut and was exposed to the potentially injurious light radiation.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

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:    (a) Coil Line - Employees performed servicing, set up, and adjustments to the Coil Line.  Machine specific procedures were not developed, documented and utilized to ensure the control of hazardous electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic energy releases.    (b) Spiro Machine # 9173 - Employees performed servicing, set up, and adjustments to the Spiro Machine.  Machine specific procedures were not developed, documented and utilized to ensure the control of hazardous electrical and pneumatic energy releases.    (c) Plasma Pro, CNC Plasma Cutter -  Employees performed servicing, set up, and adjustments to the CNC plasma cutting machine.  Machine specific procedures were not developed, documented and utilized to ensure the control of hazardous electrical and pneumatic energy releases.    (d) Chicago Mechanical Press Brake -  Employees performed servicing, set up, and adjustments to the Chicago Mechanical Press Brake.  Machine specific procedures were not developed, documented and utilized to ensure the control of hazardous electrical and gravity energy releases.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls are acquired by employees:  (a) Coil Line - Employees performed servicing, set up, and adjustments to the Coil Line.  Employees were not trained on the purpose and function of the energy control program and were not taught the proper skills required for the safe application, usage and removal of the energy controls required.  (b) Spiro Machine # 9173 - Employees performed servicing, set up, and adjustments to the Spiro Machine.  Employees were not trained on the purpose and function of the energy control program and were not taught the proper skills required for the safe application, usage and removal of the energy controls required.   (c) Plasma Pro, CNC Plasma Cutter -  Employees performed servicing, set up, and adjustments to the CNC plasma cutting machine. Employees were not trained on the purpose and function of the energy control program and were not taught the proper skills required for the safe application, usage and removal of the energy controls required.  (d) Chicago Mechanical Press Brake -  Employees performed servicing, set up, and adjustments to the Chicago Mechanical Press Brake.  Employees were not trained on the purpose and function of the energy control program and were not taught the proper skills required for the safe application, usage and removal of the energy controls required.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Point(s) of operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s):     (a) Chicago Hydraulic Press Brake - The operator placed his hands into the point of operation while fabricating filter channels.  The employer did not provide guarding for the machine and had not established a work rule to prohibit placement of the hands in such a position during bends, had not trained employees on proper hand placement during bending.  The operator was exposed to amputation hazards.    (b) Chicago Mechanical Press Brake -  The operator placed his hands within four inches of the point of operation while fabricating gutter brackets.  The employer did not provide guarding for the machine and had not established a work rule to prohibit placement of the hands in such a position during bends, had not trained employees on proper hand placement during bending.  The operator was exposed to amputation hazards.    (c) Coil Line - The in running rollers on the coil line where the coils of sheet metal enter the process and pass into the notcher were not guarded to prevent employees from the danger zone during operation.   The coil line operator was exposed to amputation hazards from the ingoing nip point of the rollers.        (d) TDC Lockformer - The in running rollers on the TDC Lockformer were not guarded to prevent employees from the danger zone during operation.   Employees who operate the TDC Lockformer were exposed to amputation hazards from the ingoing nip point of the rollers.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $3,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.217(c)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure the usage of point of operation guards or properly applied point of operation devices on every operation performed on mechanical power press(es):    Kenco Mechanical Punch Press - The operator did not have the guard in place while operating the punch press to punch 1/4 inch holes in gutter brackets.  The employer did not ensure that the machine was operated with the guard in the proper position.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.217(c)(2)(i)(a): Point of operation guard(s) on mechanical power press(es) did not prevent entry of hands or fingers into the point of operation by reaching through, over, under or around the guard(s):  Kenco Mechanical Punch Press - The operator did not have the guard in place while operating the punch press to punch 1/4 inch holes in gutter brackets.  The employer did not ensure that the machine was operated with the guard in the proper position.  Once the guard was closed and latched with the hook the operator was still able to reach under and past the guard to position the part in the fixture.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.217(c)(2)(i)(d): Point of operation guard(s) on mechanical power press(es) did not utilized fasteners not readily removable by the operator, so as to create minimize the possibility of misuse or removal of essential parts:  Kenco Mechanical Punch Press - The operator did not have the guard in place while operating the punch press to punch 1/4 inch holes in gutter brackets.  The employer did not ensure that the machine was operated with the guard in the proper position. The guard provided on the punch press did not utilize fasteners that were not readily removable by operator, so as to minimize the possibility of misuse or removal of essential parts.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.217(c)(2)(i)(f): Point of operation guard(s) on mechanical power press(es) did not offer maximum visibility of the point of operation consistent with other requirements:  Kenco Mechanical Punch Press - The operator did not have the guard in place while operating the punch press to punch 1/4 inch holes in gutter brackets.  The employer did not ensure that the machine was operated with the guard in the proper position.  Once the guard was closed it did not offer maximum visibility of the point of operation.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.217(f)(2): Operator(s) were not trained and instructed in the safe method of work before starting work on mechanical power press(es), supervision was inadequate to ensure correct operating procedures were being followed:    Kenco Mechanical Punch Press - The operator did not have the guard in place while operating the punch press to punch 1/4 inch holes in gutter brackets.  The operator wore prescription eye glasses while operating the machine that were not ANSI Z87 protective lenses. Once the guard was closed and latched with the hook the operator was still able to reach under and past the guard to position the part in the fixture. The guard provided did not utilize fasteners that were not readily removable by operator, so as to minimize the possibility of misuse or removal of essential parts.  The guard provided did not offer maximum visibility of the point of operation.  The operator was not trained to recognize the hazards of operating the mechanical power press and was not provided with adequate supervision.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(b)(1): Flywheel(s) with parts seven feet or less above the floor were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(b)(1)(i) through (b)(1)(iv):    Kenco Mechanical Punch Press serial number OR67-1063 - Employees used the Kenco Press to fabricate parts. The employer did not provide a guard for the flywheel on the Kenco press which was less than seven feet above the floor. Employees were exposed to struck the by hazard from the flywheel.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    Coil Line - The belt and pulley conveyor system at the discharge end of the coil line was not provided with a guard.  Employees were exposed to the in going nip point.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,000 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.:     (a) Plasma Cutter - An employee used compressed air to blow down the plasma cutter during the routine cleaning of the machine.  The compressed air was was not regulated to below 30 PSI before leaving the nozzle of the blow down gun, there by exposing the employee to the danger of flying debris and the hazard of personal injury from air injection into the skin.     (b) Coil Line - An employee used compressed air to blow down the coil line during the routine cleaning of the machine.  The compressed air was was not regulated to below 30 PSI before leaving the nozzle of the blow down gun, there by exposing the employee to the danger of flying debris and the hazard of personal injury from air injection into the skin.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords were not connected to devices and fittings so that tension would not be transmitted to joints or terminal screws:      TDS roller former - Employees used a hand held switch to "jog" the roller former when running smaller sized jobs.  The flexible cord for the switch was not provided with a strain relief to ensure the conductors did not pull on the terminal screws.  Employees were exposed to the hazard of electrical shock or electrocution.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6): The employer did not certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by this paragraph (l):   Shop - Employees operated forklifts to move materials at the establishment and load finished goods onto trucks.  The employer did not certify that the employees were trained and evaluated within the past three years.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.217(e)(1)(i): The employer did not establish and follow a program of periodic and regular inspections of his power presses to ensure that all their parts, auxiliary equipment, and safeguards are in a safe operating condition and adjustment. The employer did not maintain a certification record of these inspections which includes the date of inspection, the signature of the person who performed the inspection and the serial number, or other identifier, of the power press that was inspected:    Shop - Employees used a variety of mechanical power presses including the Kenco press, serial number OR67-1063.  The employer did not establish and follow a program of periodic and regular inspections of his power presses to ensure that all their parts, auxiliary equipment, and safeguards are in a safe operating condition and adjustment and did not maintain a certification record of inspections.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.217(e)(1)(ii): Records of weekly inspections and the maintenance work performed on the clutch/brake mechanism, anti repeat feature, and single stroke mechanism of mechanical power press(es) were not maintained:   Kenco Mechanical Punch Press -  Employees used the full revolution mechanical press daily to fabricate parts at the establishment.  Records of the weekly tests to determine the condition of the clutch/brake mechanism, anti repeat feature and single stroke mechanism were not maintained.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(f)(2): Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its disconnecting means or overcurrent device, was not legibly marked to indicate its purpose, nor located and arranged so the purpose was evident:   Coil Line - The breakers in the branch circuit panel for the coil line were not labeled to indicate their purpose.  Employees were required to access this panel to isolate the electrical power to the machine during lock out procedures.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i): The written hazard communication program did not include a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present, using an identity that was referenced on the appropriate material safety data sheet:  Shop - Employees used various welding rods and chemicals including solvents and adhesives throughout the shop to perform their job duties. The employer's written hazard communication program did not include a list of the hazardous chemicals know to be present, using an identity that was referenced on the appropriate material safety data sheet.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8): The employer did not maintain copies of the required material safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical in the workplace:  Shop - Employees used various welding rods and chemicals including solvents and adhesives throughout the shop to perform their job duties. The employer did not maintain copies of the required material safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical and product in the workplace.

Issued

May 1, 2013

Abate by

May 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  Shop - The employer did not provide training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard was introduced.