OSHA Inspection: TEJAS PLASTICS, INC.

Issued

2013-11-15 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-12-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2000.00 · Current $1200.00 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 as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section):    (a) Machine #4: On or about July 29, 2013, and times prior there to, employees were exposed to a fall hazard of approximately 7 feet and 8 inches  to the ground below from a working platform attached to a Kautex B30/12 plastic mold machine, labeled Machine #4, which was not equipped with guardrails on the right and left sides of the machines accumulator where the area is accessed by employees for maintanence.    (b) Machine #3: On or about July 29, 2013, and times prior there to, employees were exposed to a fall hazard of approximately 8 feet to the ground below from a working platform attached to a Kautex B30 plastic mold machine, labeled Machine #3, which was not equipped with sufficient guardrails on the left side of the machine near the platforms ladder where employees access the platform for maintanence.

Issued

2013-11-15 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-12-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2000.00 · Current $1200.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.9(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:    (a) Machine #1, Southeast side of building: On or about August 27, 2013, employee(s) operating a Kautex B30/12 plastic mold machine, labeled Machine #1, and an AEC Nelmor grinder were exposed to continuous noise at a dose of 84.6% (8-Hour Time Weighted Average sound level of 85 dBA) during the 442 minute sampling period. For a full eight hour work shift this exposure is equivalent to an average sound level of 88.8 dBA. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 38 minutes not sampled.    (b) Machine #4, North side of building: On or about August 27, 2013, employee(s) operating a Kautex B30/12 plastic mold machine, labeled Machine #4, and a grinder were exposed to continuous noise at a dose of 99.3% (8-Hour Time Weighted Average sound level of 85 dBA) during the 440 minute sampling period. For a full eight hour work shift this exposure is equivalent to an average sound level of 89.9 dBA. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 40 minutes not sampled.    (c) Machine #5, North side of building: On or about August 27, 2013, employee(s) operating a Kautex B30/12 plastic mold machine, labeled Machine #5, and a grinder were exposed to continuous noise at a dose of 88.7% (8-Hour Time Weighted Average sound level of 85 dBA) during the 440 minute sampling period. For a full eight hour work shift this exposure is equivalent to an average sound level of 89.1 dBA. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 40 minutes not sampled.

Issued

2013-11-15 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-11-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1400.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:    (a) Machine #1: On or about July 29, 2013, employees were exposed to laceration and puncture hazards while using handheld knives to cut excess plastic flashing from plastic product without the use of cut and/or perforation resistant personal protective equipment.    (b) Machine #4: On or about July 29, 2013, employees were exposed to laceration and puncture hazards while using handheld knives to cut excess plastic flashing from plastic product without the use of cut and/or perforation resistant personal protective equipment.    (c) Machine #5: On or about August 27, 2013, employees were exposed to laceration and puncture hazards while using handheld knives to cut excess plastic flashing from plastic product without the use of cut and/or perforation resistant personal protective equipment.

Issued

2013-11-15 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-11-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(3): Employees were not given the opportunity to select their hearing protectors from a variety of suitable hearing protectors provided by the employer:  Plastic product molding area: On or about August 27, 2013, employee(s) were not provided with more than one suitable style of hearing protectors to choose from for protection from noise exposure exceeding an 8-hour Time Weighted Average sound level of 85 dBA in the work place.