OSHA Inspection: SULZER CHEMTECH USA, INC.

Issued

Aug 28, 2013

Abate by

Oct 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,250 · Current $2,550 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): Machine guarding was not provided to protect operator(s) and other employees from hazard(s) created by moving parts:   On or about June 12, 2013, and at times prior thereto, at the Whitney punch press area, employees were allowed to operate a punch press via a foot pedal control without machine guards provided to prevent contact with the point-of-operation.  Employees were exposed to an amputation caused by the unguarded point-of-operation.

Issued

Aug 28, 2013

Abate by

Aug 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,550 · Current $1,530 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4): Work rest(s) on grinding machinery were not adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one eighth inch:    On or about June 12, 2013, and at times prior thereto, in the Hardware Mfg. and Separator areas employees were operating abrasive wheel grinding machines where the opening between the work rest and the wheel was greater than one-eighth inch.  Employees were exposed to flying fragments in the event of an exploding wheel.

Issued

Aug 28, 2013

Abate by

Aug 30, 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:   On or about June 12, 2013, and at times prior thereto, in the Hardware Mfg. and Separator areas employees were operating abrasive wheel grinding machines where the opening between the tongue guard and the wheel was greater one-fourth inch.  Employees were exposed to flying fragments in the event of an exploding wheel.

Issued

Aug 28, 2013

Abate by

Aug 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(d)(1): Wheel(s) on grinding machine(s) were not sounded (ring test) and inspected for damage before mounting:   On or about June 12, 2013, and at times prior thereto, at the facility an employee was not instructed how to conduct a "ring test" to check for cracks prior to mounting a new wheel on a grinding machine.  Employees were exposed to flying fragments in the event of exploding abrasive wheel.

Issued

Aug 28, 2013

Abate by

Sep 6, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(d)(3): The contact surface(s) of wheel(s), blotter(s) or flange(s) on grinding machine(s) were not flat and free or foreign matter:   On or about June 12, 2013, and at times prior thereto, in the Hardware Mfg. and Separator areas employees were operating abrasive wheel grinding machines that had the wheels worn unevenly.  The employees were exposed to flying fragments in the event of exploding wheels.

Issued

Aug 28, 2013

Abate by

Aug 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,400 · Current $2,040 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):   On or about June 12, 2013, and at times prior thereto, in the Miscellaneous Pad shop area employees were operating a band saw driven by a belt and pulley motor approximately a foot from the floor without a guard provided to prevent contact with the belt and pulley while in operation.  Employees were exposed to an amputation caused by the unguarded belt and pulley system.

Issued

Aug 28, 2013

Abate by

Sep 13, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven -7 feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:   On or about June 11, 2013, and at times prior thereto, at the shear area employees were operating a shear driven by a sprocket wheel and chain system approximately 2.5-ft. from the floor without a guard provided to prevent employees contacting the sprocket wheel and chain system while in operation.  Employees were exposed to an amputation caused by the unguarded sprocket wheel and chain system.

Issued

Aug 28, 2013

Abate by

Sep 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed:   On or about June 12, 2013, and at times prior thereto, at the establishment the employer had employees performing maintenance operations that require lock-out/tag-out equipment.  However, the employer did not conduct periodic inspection of the procedures at least annually to ensure that the procedure was effective and being followed.  Employees were exposed to unexpected release of energy hazards.