OSHA Inspection: ACME BRICK COMPANY

Issued

Jul 29, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,974 · Current $3,974

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 did not furnish employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to a struck by hazard from the failure of the wire rope at the anchor point of the skip loader hoist assembly.   On or about 5 June 2013, and at times prior thereto, a wire rope assembly installed on a skip loader was not oriented correctly per the manufacturer's drawings, exposing the employees to a struck by hazard. The wire rope assembly had two conditions that can compromise the strength of the wire rope including attaching the U-bolt to the live end and allowing the end to fray.  Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure wire rope clamps are oriented correctly when used to secure the dead ends of the rope, and ensure that wire rope is terminated to avoid frayed and loose ends that compromise the strength of the wire rope.

Issued

Jul 29, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,974 · Current $3,974

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.  On or about 5 June 2013, and at times prior thereto, an employee in Department 34 and another in Department 35 would access an upper level platform within their respective department by way of a fixed ladder where the ladderway opening to the platform was not guarded, exposing the employees to a fall hazard of approximately 17 to 18 feet to a cement floor below.  Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure openings to ladderways that are higher than 4 feet are guarded to prevent a fall hazard.

Issued

Jul 29, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,384 · Current $116 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 psi.    On or about 5 June 2013, and at times prior thereto, a saw operator and the helper were using compressed air to clean their workstation and materials approximately every 5 minutes throughout the day, in which the pressure at the nozzle measured approximately 62 psi, exposing the two employees to a struck by hazard to the skin and eyes.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure compressed air used for cleaning purposes is reduced to 30 psig or less.

Issued

Jul 29, 2013

Abate by

Aug 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,300 · Current $116 Reduced

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.    On or about 5 June 2013, and at times prior thereto, two employees within the Maintenance Shop utilized an overhead hoist and chain to lift cement brick molds on a daily basis where the power cord for the hoist motor had strain relief damage and the internally sheathed wires were visible, exposing the employees to an electrical hazard.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure flexible cords and cables are connected to devices and fittings such that the internally sheathed wires or bare copper is not exposed, and to relieve stress on the joints and terminal screws.