OSHA Inspection: GMB PLASTICS, INC.

Issued

May 24, 2013

Abate by

Jun 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,825 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(e)(1): Standard railing(s) did not consist of top rail, intermediate rail and/or posts and/or did not have a vertical height of 42 inches (106.7 cm) nominal from upper surface of top rail to floor, platform runway, or ramp level:   a) GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - In the production area, the platform on the injection molding machine #6 used by material handlers and maintenance employees to check the hopper, did not have a mid-rail. The platform was located 67 inches from the ground, on or about 4/15/13.   b) GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - In the production area, the platform on the injection molding machine #5 used by material handlers and maintenance employees to check the hopper, did not have a mid-rail. The platform was located 92 inches from the ground, on or about 4/15/13.   c) GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - In the production area, the platform on the injection molding machine #9 used by material handlers and maintenance employees to check the hopper, did not have a mid-rail. The platform was located 91 inches from the ground, on or about 4/15/13.   d) GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - In the production area, the platform on the injection molding machine #11 used by material handlers and maintenance employees to check the hopper, did not have a mid-rail. The platform was located 91 inches from the ground, on or about 4/15/13.

Issued

May 24, 2013

Abate by

Jun 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:   a) GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - In the production area, the platform on the injection molding machine #11, above the electrical equipment, used by material handlers and maintenance employees to get access to the hopper's platform, did not have guard rails. The platform was located at or above 48 inches from the ground, on or about 4/15/13.  b) GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - In the south building, the mezzanine above the office of the machine shop was used for storage. The mezzanine was over eight feet from the floor and did not have guardrails, on or about 4/15/13.

Issued

May 24, 2013

Abate by

Jun 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,060 · Current $1,530 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(d)(1): Employee(s) were not able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge:  GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - At the south building, an exit door at the back of the building was closed with a strap, which made it unable to be opened unless the employee had a tool, on or about 4/15/13.

Issued

May 24, 2013

Abate by

Jun 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,295 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): The employer did not select and require employee(s) to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands were exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasion; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes:   GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - In the production area, injection molding operators utilized utility knives to remove excess plastic. Cut resistant gloves were not provided and required to prevent lacerations, on or about 4/15/13.

Issued

May 24, 2013

Abate by

Jun 20, 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, that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed:   GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - During the manufacturing of plastic products, employees were exposed to hazards to the hands and eyes. The personal protective equipment hazard assessment was not certified, on or about 4/15/13.

Issued

May 24, 2013

Abate by

Jul 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,825 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(B): The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy:  GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - Employees were performing maintenance on equipment and setting molds in equipment such as the injection molding machines, which contained electrical, hydraulic, water, and heat energy sources. Specific written procedures were not developed, on or about 4/15/13.

Issued

May 24, 2013

Abate by

Jun 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,825 · Current $2,000 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:  GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - In the maintenance shop, employees used the Enco-360 vertical band saw for cutting metal. The un-used portion of the blade was not guarded, on or about 4/15/13.

Issued

May 24, 2013

Abate by

Jun 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,060 · Current $2,570 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(2): Abrasive wheel(s) used on grinding machinery were not provided with safety guard(s) which covered the spindle end, nut, flange projections:.   GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - In the tooling area, employees were using the Delta bench grinder. The abrasive wheel brush did not have a side guard to cover the spindle end and nut, on or about 4/15/13.

Issued

May 24, 2013

Abate by

May 24, 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:  GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - In the tooling area, employees were using the Delta bench grinder without the work rest, on or about 4/15/13.

Issued

May 24, 2013

Abate by

May 24, 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:    GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - In the tooling area, employees were using the Delta bench grinder without a tongue guard, on or about 4/15/13.

Issued

May 24, 2013

Abate by

Jun 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,295 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Installation and use. Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling.   GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - In the tooling department, employees were using an electrical box suspended from the ceiling that was designed to be mounted on a surface, on or about 4/15/13.

Issued

May 24, 2013

Abate by

Jun 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:  GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - In the tooling department, employees were using an electrical box suspended from the ceiling that was designed to be mounted on a surface. The box was missing knockouts on one side that was covered by black tape, on or about 4/15/13.

Issued

May 24, 2013

Abate by

May 24, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(e): Clearance signs to warn of clearance limits were not provided where mechanical handling equipment was used:   a) GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - At south building, the mezzanine above the break room was used for storage. Clearance limits were not posted, on or about 4/15/13.   b) GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - At the south building, the mezzanine above the office in the machine shop was used for storage. Clearance limits were not posted, on or about 4/15/13.

Issued

May 24, 2013

Abate by

Jun 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:   GMB Plastics, Inc., Cumming, GA - In the tooling department, an extension cord was being used in lieu of permanent wiring. The extension cord traveled from the tooling area to the maintenance shop, on or about 4/15/13.