OSHA Inspection: QUALITY READY MIX, INC.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Sep 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(2): Ladderway floor opening(s) or platform(s) were not guarded by a standard railing with standard toeboard(s) on all exposed sides (except at the entrance to opening) with passage through the railing either provided with a swinging gate or so offset that a person could walk directly into the opening:    a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about June 3, 2013, the employer failed to assure that the ladderway floor opening, located on the cement silo's weigh hopper platform, was guarded to protect employees from fall hazards of approximately 37 feet.    b) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 30, 2013, the employer failed to assure that the ladderway floor opening, located on the lower working platform of the fly ash silo, was guarded to protect employees from fall hazards of approximately 32 feet.      c) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 28, 2013, the employer failed to assure that the ladderway floor opening, located on the platform adjacent to the west aggregate belt, was guarded to protect employees from fall hazards of approximately 6.5 feet.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Sep 26, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $0 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:    a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about June 3, 2013, the employer failed to assure that employees were protected from fall hazards while working on top of the weigh hopper located on the cement silo.  Employees were exposed to falls of approximately eight feet and also up to approximately 45 feet on the south side of the hopper in that the working platform was not guarded by a standard railing.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Sep 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.26(c)(3)(vii): Ladders were used for uses other than that for which they were intended:    a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about June 3, 2013, a portable step ladder was not used in a way in which it was designed, exposing employees to a fall hazard of approximately eight feet.  A step ladder was used to transition from the elevated working platform level to the working platform on top of the cement silo's weigh hopper.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Oct 3, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(e)(3)(iv): The anchoring of posts and framing of members for railings of all types were not of such construction that the completed structure was not capable of withstanding a load of at least 200 pounds applied in any direction at any point on the top rail:    a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 28, 2013, an employee that accessed the platform adjacent to the west aggregate belt was exposed to fall hazards of up to approximately 20ft.  The anchoring posts and/or framing members for railings were deficient to withstanding loads.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Oct 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $4,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(i): All rungs on fixed metal ladders did not have a minimum diameter of three-fourths inch:    a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 30, 2013, the employer did not assure that the fixed ladder on the fly ash silo was equipped with rungs that were at least three-fourths inch in diameter.  Employees were exposed to fall hazards in that the 32ft. ladder from the ground to the first work platform was equipped with rungs one-half inch in diameter.    b) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 28, 2013, the employer did not assure that the fixed ladder, used to access the platform on the west aggregate belt, was equipped with rungs that were at least three-fourths inch in diameter.  Employees were exposed to fall hazards in that the 6.5 ft. ladder was equipped with rungs five-eighths inch in diameter.    c) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 4, 2013, the employer did not assure that the fixed ladder, used to access the Stephens dust collector (s/n 8880-11), was equipped with rungs that were at least three-fourths inch in diameter.  Employees were exposed to fall hazards in that the 17ft. ladder was equipped with rungs one-half inch in diameter.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Oct 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $0 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:    a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about June 3, 2013, the ladder used to access the weigh hopper on the cement silo exposed employees to fall hazards up to approximately 8.5 feet in that the first nine foot section of the ladder included rungs that were spaced at 5.25 inches and 12.75 inches.  The employer did not assure that ladder rungs were uniformly spaced and distance between rungs did not exceed 12 inches.       b) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 4, 2013, the ladder used to access the Stephens dust collector (s/n 8880-11) exposed employees to fall hazards up to approximately six feet in that the first six foot section of the ladder included rungs that were spaced at 10, 14.5, and 11 inches.  The employer did not assure that ladder rungs were uniformly spaced and distance between rungs did not exceed 12 inches.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Oct 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.27(d)(1)(v): Cages extended less than 27 or more than 28 inches from the centerline of the rungs of the ladder. Cage were less than 27 inches in width. Vertical bars were not located at a maximum spacing of 40 degrees around the circumference of the cage; providing a maximum spacing of approximately 9 1/2 inches:    a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about June 3, 2013, the fixed ladder used to access the weigh hopper on the cement silo exposed employees to fall hazards up to approximately 37 feet in that the ladder cage's vertical bars were spaced at 12.5 inches and 13.5 inches.  The employer did not assure spacing between the vertical bars did not exceed 9.5 inches.      b) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 30, 2013, the fixed ladder used to access the work platform on the fly ash silo exposed employees to fall hazards up to approximately 32 feet.  Vertical bars of the ladder cage were spaced from 11 inches and up to 13 inches; the cage extended 31 inches from the ladder rungs and was 23 inches in width.  The employer did not assure spacing between vertical bars did not exceed 9.5 inches and that the cage did not extend more than 28 inches from the ladder rungs with a width not less than 27 inches.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Oct 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.27(b)(4): All splices and connections did not have smooth transition with original members and with no sharp or extensive projections:    a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 30, 2013, employees were exposed to lacerations, or being caught on, projections of the ladder cage located on the ladder to access the hopper on the fly ash silo.  Horizontal bands were not located outside of vertical bars and splices in vertical bars created projections.  The employer did not assure that vertical bars were located inside of the horizontal bands and were spliced together to create a smooth transition.     b) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 4, 2013, employees were exposed to lacerations, or being caught on, projections of the cage located on the ladder to access the Stephens dust collector (s/n 8880-11).  Horizontal bands were not located outside of vertical bars and splices in vertical bars created projections.  The employer did not assure that vertical bars were located inside of the horizontal bands and were spliced together to create a smooth transition.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Sep 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.27(f): Ladders were not maintained in a safe condition or inspected regularly:    a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about June 3, 2013, the employer did not assure that the fixed ladder, used to access the weigh hopper on the cement silo, was inspected regularly.  The ladder exposed employees to hazards in that the cage did not protect employees from fall hazards and rungs were not uniformly spaced.      b) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 30, 2013, the employer did not assure that the fixed ladder, used to access the hopper on the fly ash silo, was maintained and inspected regularly.  The ladder exposed employees to hazards in that rungs/welds were deteriorating and the cage did not protect employees from fall hazards.    c) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 4, 2013, the employer did not assure that the fixed ladder, used to access the Stephens dust collector (s/n 8880-11), was maintained and inspected regularly.  The ladder exposed employees to hazards in that rungs were cracked, deteriorating, and damaged.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Sep 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1): The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces:    a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 14, 2013, the employer did not perform an evaluation of the workplace to determine if permit-required confined spaces were present before employees entered the space of the cement silo's weigh hopper where the space and atmosphere would classify the space as a permit-required confined space.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Sep 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4): When the employer decided that its employees would enter permit spaces, the employer did not develop and implement a written permit space entry program that complied with 29 CFR 1910.146:  a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 14, 2013, the employer did not implement a written permit space program which protected employees who entered the space of the cement silo's weigh hopper for cleaning purposes.  An employee(s) who entered the permit-required confined space of the weigh hopper was exposed to entrapment, engulfment, and atmospheric hazards.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Sep 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,500 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:    a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about April 15, 2013, the employer did not develop and implement a lockout program/procedures and training to protect employees from injuries while maintaining equipment.  Employees were exposed to rotating part hazards while cleaning hardened material from the auger system located on the fly ash silo during a time the machine's hazardous energy was not controlled.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Oct 3, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,500 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):    a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: The employer did not assure that pulleys, used to transfer power to the auger located on the fly ash silo, were guarded.  Employees that accessed the elevated work platform on the silo were exposed to hazards created by the rotating parts and nip-points.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Oct 3, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i): Vertical or inclined belt(s) were not enclosed by guard(s) conforming to the requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):  a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: The employer did not assure that the inclined belt associated with the auger motor, located on the fly ash silo's elevated work platform, was guarded.  Employees that accessed the elevated work platform on the silo were exposed to injury from the rotating belt.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Oct 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(i): Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not protected from abrasions:    a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 29, 2013, the employer did not assure that wires entering the electrical control box for the auger motor, located on the fly ash silo, were protected from abrasion and that openings were effectively closed.  Operators of the fly ash silo were exposed to electrical shock hazards.    b) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about June 4, 2013, the employer did not assure that wires entering the Alkon electrical control panel for the batching system, located in the work trailer, were protected from abrasion and that openings were effectively closed.  Batch operators were exposed to electrical shock hazards.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Oct 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:    a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 29, 2013, the employer did not assure that flexible cords connected to a junction box on the auger motor, located on the fly ash silo, were equipped with strain relief.  Operators of the fly ash silo were exposed to electrical shock hazards.    b) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about June 4, 2013, the employer did not assure that flexible cords entering the Alkon electrical control panel for the batching system were equipped with strain relief to protect employees from electrical hazards.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Oct 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(iii): The minimum clear length of rungs or cleats was not 16 inches:  a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 28, 2013, the employer did not assure that the fixed ladder, used to access the platform on the west aggregate belt, was equipped with rungs that were at least 16 inches in length.  The ladder was equipped with rungs that were approximately 12 inches in length.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Oct 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.27(d)(1)(iv): Cages did not extend down the ladder to a point not less than 7 feet nor more than 8 feet above the base of the ladder, with bottom flared not less than 4 inches:  a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about June 3, 2013, the cage located on the cement silos fixed ladder extended down the ladder to approximately 59 inches above the base of the ladder and the cage bottom was not flared at least four inches.  The employer did not assure that the cage extended down the ladder not less than seven feet above the base of the ladder with the bottom of the cage flared.  b) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about May 30, 2013, the cage located on the fly ash silos fixed ladder extended down the ladder to approximately 105 inches above the base of the ladder.  The employer did not assure that the cage extended down the ladder not more than eight feet above the base of the ladder.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Oct 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(f)(1): Each disconnecting means required by Subpart S of Part 1910 for motors and appliances was not legibly marked to indicate its purpose, nor located and arranged so the purpose was evident:  a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about June 4, 2013, the employer did not assure that each disconnecting means located in the electrical control room, such as, but not limited to, the fly ash auger, was labeled to indicate its purpose.

Issued

Sep 17, 2013

Abate by

Oct 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1): Sufficient access and working space was not provided and maintained about all electric equipment (operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground) to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment:  a) Quality Ready Mix, Inc. - Van Buren, Ohio: On or about June 4, 2013, the employer did not assure that the area in front of electrical panels located in the electrical control room was maintained.  The area in front of electrical equipment for the fly ash silo auger was not maintained so that an employee's ability to access the equipment was not hindered.