OSHA Inspection: WEST BLOCK, INC.

Issued

Mar 10, 2014

Abate by

Apr 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(3): Regardless of height, open-sided floors, walkways, platforms, or runways above or adjacent to dangerous equipment, pickling or galvanizing tanks, degreasing units, and similar hazards were not guarded with a standard railing and toe board.  a) Plant, Block Machine - The platform on the border of the hopper was not guarded, and employees were exposed to 7.0 ft. falls inside the hopper.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Mar 10, 2014

Abate by

Apr 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:  a) Plant - Authorized employees performed maintenance, lubrication and cleaning of the block machine. The employer did not develop, implement, and utilize a written lockout/tagout procedure to protect workers from hydraulic energy, electric energy, and moving and rotating parts.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 10, 2014

Abate by

Apr 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(ii): The employer did not certify that periodic inspections of the energy control procedures had been performed:  a) Plant - On or about 12/24/13 workers operated, maintained, cleaned, and lubricated equipment including (but not limited to) the Mixer (Block Plant), the Air Compressor (Block  Plant), the Boiler (Block Plant) , the Air Compressor (Ready Mix Plant), and the Gear Boxes/Conveyor (Ready Mix Plant). The employer did not certify that periodic, and at least annual inspections of the written lockout/tagout procedures had been performed and kept up to date.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 10, 2014

Abate by

Apr 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(iv): The employer did not certify that employee training had been accomplished and kept up to date:  a) Plant - On or about 12/24/13 workers operated, maintained, cleaned, and lubricated equipment including (but not limited to) the Mixer (Block Plant), the Air Compressor (Block  Plant), the Boiler (Block Plant) , the Air Compressor (Ready Mix Plant), and the Gear Boxes/Conveyor (Ready Mix Plant). The employer did not certify that the training for the Control of Hazardous Energy and Lockout/Tagout had been completed and kept up to date.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 10, 2014

Abate by

Apr 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(C)(1): Lockout devices were not substantial enough to prevent removal without the use of excessive force or unusual techniques, such as with the use of bolt cutters or other metal cutting tools:(a)(LOCATION)(IDENTIFY SPECIFIC OPERATIONS AND/OR CONDITIONS)(IDENTIFY MACHINERY OR EQUIPMENT)  Plant - On or about 12/24/13 employees entered the cylindrical rotary mixer for (daily) cleaning. The plastic adapter for locking the panel switch was broken and loose, and came off without force or tools.  Employees were exposed to crush hazards.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 10, 2014

Abate by

Apr 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not 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, and rotating parts:  a) Plant - On or about 12/24/13 a side of the block machine was not guarded, exposing employees to rotating parts, ingoing nip points, and mechanical components in reciprocating movement in the vertical direction.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 10, 2014

Abate by

Apr 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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):  a) Plant - On or about 12/24/13 a side of the block machine was not guarded, exposing employees to an unprotected four-belt and pulley system.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 10, 2014

Abate by

Apr 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i): Vertical or inclined belt(s) were not enclosed by guard(s) conforming to the requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):  a) Plant - On or about 12/24/14 a side of the block machine was not guarded, exposing employees to an unprotected four-belt and pulley system.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 10, 2014

Abate by

Apr 10, 2014

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:  a) Plant- On or about 12/24/13 a side of the block machine was not guarded, exposing employees to unprotected roller chains and sprockets.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 10, 2014

Abate by

Apr 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $720 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  a) Plant - On or about 12/24/13 employees came in contact with chemicals including (but not limited to) hydraulic fluid, Diesel fuel, Portland cement Type I/II, Portland cement Type S, and concrete additives. The employer did not train the employees in relation to the Hazard Communication Program, the "Right to Know", the hazardous properties of materials at the workplace, and the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals(GHS). (December 1, 2013 first compliance date for training on Labeling Elements and a standardized format for Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)).  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET)

Issued

Mar 10, 2014

Abate by

Apr 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1): When information indicated that any employee's exposure equaled or exceed the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program:  a) Plant - On or about 12/24/13 employees operated jack hammers and worked in proximity of the block machine, and the employer did not assess the level of noise in the different sectors of the facility. (Two instantaneous measurements at 15.0 ft. from the block machine indicated 98.9 dB and 100.1 dB, respectively).    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 10, 2014

Abate by

Apr 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3): Portable fire extinguishers were not subjected to an annual maintenance check:  a) Plant - On or about 12/24/13 the fire extinguisher situated in proximity of the rotary mixer was not subjected to an annual maintenance check.  The label indicated inspection due in one year after June 30, 2011.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Mar 10, 2014

Abate by

Apr 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6): The employer did not certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by this paragraph (l):  On or about 12/24/13 workers operated the Hyster 80 Fortis forklift (turbo-Diesel) to transport blocks out of the conveyor, and the employer did not certify that the employees were trained and evaluated in relation to the safe operation of the vehicles.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Mar 10, 2014

Abate by

Apr 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(iv): There were damaged parts that adversely affected safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment, such as parts that were broken, bent, cut, or deteriorated by corrosion, chemical action, or overheating:  a) Plant - On or about 12/24/13 the control panel adjacent to the splitter machine had a damaged component. The  push (OFF) / pull (ON) button for the automatic mode was broken, and a steel bolt with hexagonal head was inserted to allow operation.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).