OSHA Inspection: UNIVERSAL POLYMER & RUBBER LTD.

Issued

Aug 23, 2013

Abate by

Sep 27, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(2):  The educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting was not provided to all employees upon initial employment, and at least annually thereafter:       The employer did not train employees on the use of portable fire extinguishers for those employees expected to fight incipient stage fires.       NOTE:  The employer may exercise one of the following options:       1)      Provide portable fire extinguishers as specified in 29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1), meet the distribution requirements per 29 CFR 1910.157(d) (75 to the nearest extinguisher for Class A fires and 50 to the nearest extinguisher for Class B fires), and provide training and education for all employees in the use of such equipment and the hazards associated with incipient stage fire fighting as required in 29 CFR 1910.157(g).  The other sections of 29 CFR 1910.157 also apply.       2)      Provide extinguishers as specified in 29 CFR 1910.157(c) (1), designate certain employees to be the only employees authorized to use such equipment and require all other employees to immediately evacuate upon the sounding of the fire alarm, establish this in writing in an emergency action plan as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.38(c) and train/educate designated employees per 1910.157(g).  Utilizing this option exempts the employer from distribution requirements of 29 CFR 1910.157(d).       3)        Establish a written fire safety policy which requires the immediate and total evacuation of employees from the workplace upon the sounding of a fire alarm signal.  This policy includes an emergency action plan and a fire prevention plan as specified in 29 CFR 1910.38(a) and (b).  Utilizing this option exempts the employer from the requirements of 1910.157 to include the need for providing portable fire equipment unless a specific standard requires that a portable fire extinguisher be provided (such as those requirements in 29 CFR 1910.106/107 relating to use/storage of flammable/combustible liquids).  If extinguishers are provided but not intended for employee use, 29 CFR 1910.157(a) and (f) are still applicable (inspection, maintenance and testing of equipment).

Issued

Aug 23, 2013

Abate by

Oct 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,400 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 point of operation, in-going nip points, rotating parts, and/or flying chips and sparks:    (a)  Line 3 feed roll on extruder did not have a guard;    (b)  Line 4 feed roll on extruder did not have a guard;    (c)  #3 rubber extruder (salt line), did not have the guard up

Issued

Aug 23, 2013

Abate by

Sep 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i): Horizontal belts which had both runs 42 inches or less from the floor level were not fully enclosed by guards conforming to requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    (a)  Cutter line 3 converyor, had an opening of approximately 5 x 3 1/2 inches on the side;     (b)  Cutter line 3 conveyor guard was not affixed or interlocked in place;    (c)  Puller Line 3 conveyor, did not have a guard.  The opening measured approximately 3 3/4 x 28 inches;    (d)  Puller Line 4 conveyor guard was not affixed or interlocked in place

Issued

Aug 23, 2013

Abate by

Sep 4, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i    Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to 30 p.s.i.  Compressed air measured approximately 50 p.s.i.