OSHA Inspection: SPF AMERICA, LLC

Issued

Jul 31, 2013

Abate by

Aug 15, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be 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. Examples of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices,electronic safety devices, etc.      On or about June 19, 2013 and times prior thereto, employees of SPF America, LLC performed metal fabrication producing products such as but not limited to copper bus bars and terminal plates in the job shop located at or near 5510 South 66th Street in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  The following machinery was observed unguarded at the point of operation and exposed employees to rotating parts, flying debris, and ingoing nip points:    a.  A workbench with 2 drill presses manufactured by Solberga with model numbers SE1735.    b.  A 4 spindle drill press station manufactured by Leland-Gifford.    c.  A vertical mill manufactured by Lagun-Republic.    d.  A Powermatic 15" drill press with model number 1150 and serial number 4-4728-1.    e.  A Big Mack C.C. Engine Lathe.    f.  A Bridgeport vertical milling machine with serial number J-207157.    g. A 3 Roll-Forming machine with serial number 279086.    h.  Two rivet machines manufactured by National Rivet.

Issued

Jul 31, 2013

Abate by

Aug 15, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): The point of operation of machines whose operation exposes an employee to injury, shall be guarded. The guarding device shall be in conformity with any appropriate standards therefore, or, in the absence of applicable specific standards, shall be so designed and constructed as to prevent the operator from having any part of his body in the danger zone during the operating cycle.    On or about June 19, 2013 and times prior thereto, employees of SPF America, LLC performed metal fabrication producing products such as but not limited to copper bus bars and terminal plates in the job shop located at or near 5510 South 66th Street in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  The following machinery used for production was observed unguarded at the point of operation:    a.  An Amada RG-100 110 ton hydraulic press brake with serial number 102437.    b.  A Heim 45 ton mechanical press brake with model number 45-6 and serial number 2903.    c.  A Kenco number stamp press with serial number DT957-954.    d.  A Verson 50 ton mechanical press brake with serial number 25784-2078-50.    e.  An Amada RG-80 88 ton hydraulic press brake (no nameplate observed).    f.  A Chicago 90 ton mechanical press brake (no nameplate found).    Employees were exposed to potential amputation hazards from the point of operation on the machines were not guarded during use.

Issued

Jul 31, 2013

Abate by

Aug 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,380 · Current $1,190 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Guarding. Pulleys, any parts of which are seven (7) feet or less from the floor or working platform, shall be guarded in accordance with the standards specified in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section. Pulleys serving as balance wheels (e.g., punch presses) on which the point of contact between belt and pulley is more than six feet six inches (6 ft. 6 in.) from the floor or platform may be guarded with a disk covering the spokes.    On or about June 19, 2013 and times prior thereto, employees of SPF America, LLC performed metal fabrication at the job shop located at or near 5510 South 66th Street in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  Unguarded belts and pulleys were observed in the following instances:    a.  An unguarded belt and pulley for the power transmission of the small burr bench tumbler with marking DBR-02 was observed.      b.  An unguarded belt and pulley for the power transmission of the grainer with marking DBR-03 was observed.

Issued

Jul 31, 2013

Abate by

Aug 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,380 · Current $1,190 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employers shall develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met, and which also includes the following:    On or about June 19, 2013 and times prior thereto, employees of SPF America, LLC performed welding, spray painting, and powder coating operations for metal fabricated products at the job shop located at 5510 South 66th Street in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  Employees used chemicals such as but not limited to anti-splatter, krylon spray paints, iron phosphate, and powder coatings.  The employer had not developed and implemented a written hazard communication program.

Issued

Jul 31, 2013

Abate by

Aug 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5): Except as provided in paragraphs (f)(6) and (f)(7) of this section, the employer shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with the following information:  On or about June 19, 2013 and times prior thereto, employees of SPF America, LLC performed metal fabrication with the use of chemicals such as but not limited to anti-splatter, iron phosphate, oils, lubricants, and degreasers at the job shop located at or near 5510 South 66th Street in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  Unlabeled containers containing chemicals used by employees were observed in the following instances:  a.  A spray bottle was observed with a clear liquid near the Sutherland 120 ton press.  The spray bottle was not labeled to identify the chemical it contained.  b. Two spray bottles were observed with clear liquid near the Bliss 20 Ton press.  The spray bottles were not labeled to identify the chemicals they contained.  c.  A spray bottle was observed with a dark liquid on a welding work bench.  The spray bottle was not labeled to identify the chemical it contained.  d.  Six tanks containing iron phosphate used for the pre-treatment of copper before powder coating operations were observed.  The tanks were not labeled identifying the chemical contained.

Issued

Jul 31, 2013

Abate by

Aug 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employers shall provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area. Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (e.g., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and material safety data sheets.  On or about June 19, 2013 and times prior thereto, employees of SPF America, LLC performed fabricated metal products in the job shop located at or near 5510 South 66th Street in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  The employees used chemicals such as but not limited to anti-splatter, krylon spray paints, iron phosphate pre-treatment, powder coating, oils, lubricants, and degreasers.  The employer had not provided employees with effective information and training on the hazardous chemicals in their work areas.

Issued

Jul 31, 2013

Abate by

Aug 15, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(j)(2): Frequent inspection. The following items shall be inspected for defects at intervals as defined in paragraph (j)(1)(ii) of this section or as specifically indicated, including observation during operation for any defects which might appear between regular inspections. All deficiencies such as listed shall be carefully examined and determination made as to whether they constitute a safety hazard:  On or about June 19, 2013 and times prior thereto, employees of SPF America, LLC transported materials with the use of a Coffing overhead crane in the job shop located at or near 5510 South 66th Street in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  Employees were not performing frequent inspection on the overhead crane to ensure the crane had no deficiencies needing repair which could present safety hazards.

Issued

Jul 31, 2013

Abate by

Aug 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(i): Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings shall be protected from abrasion, and openings through which conductors enter shall be effectively closed.  On or about June 19, 2013 and times prior thereto, employees of SPF America, LLC performed metal fabrication with the use of a drill press manufactured by Powermatic, Inc. with model number 1150 and serial number 4-4728-1 at the job shop located at or near 5510 South 66th Street in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  Exposed electrical conductors were observed on the side of the drill press and were not protected from abrasion.