OSHA Inspection: WATCO MECHANICAL, LLC

Issued

Sep 17, 2014

Abate by

May 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(5)(ii)(C):     Before an employee entered a space, the internal atmosphere was not tested with a calibrated direct-reading instrument for oxygen, flammable gases and vapors and potential toxic air contaminants:    In the hopper car maintenance repair area the employer is failing to test the atmosphere of the compartment(s) within the Hopper rail car prior to employees entering the space.

Issued

Sep 17, 2014

Abate by

May 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii):     Flexible cords were not connected to devices and fittings so that tension would not be transmitted to joints or terminal screws:    In the railcar repair bay (repair 1) the employer is failing to ensure that employees are not using extension cords that are damaged.  Specifically an extension cord that was plugged into an Ideal Arc DC600 welder being used to power a drop light was damaged in that the outer insulation of the cord was pulled away from the plug allowing for tension to be placed on the joints or terminal screws within the plug.

Issued

Sep 17, 2014

Abate by

May 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $38,500 · Current $7,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(4)(iii):     Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not ensure that employees used the communications equipment properly:    In the Railcar repair bay the employer is failing to ensure that employees working inside of hopper cars are provided with effective communication devices.    The Watco Mechanical Services was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(4)(iii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 587438, citation number1, item number 8, and was affirmed as a final order on December 16, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 17000 Premium Dr. Hockley, TX 77447.

Issued

Sep 17, 2014

Abate by

May 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $38,500 · Current $7,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(h)(1):     The employer did not ensure that all authorized entrants knew the hazards that could be faced during entry, including information on the mode, sign or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure:    In the railcar repair bay the employer is failing to ensure that the employees entering the hopper cars are informed, in the language that they speak, about hazards that could be present during welding cutting and grinding of the hopper cars.    The Watco Mechanical Services was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.146(h)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 587438, citation number1, item number 11, and was affirmed as a final order on December 16, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 17000 Premium Dr. Hockley, TX 77447.

Issued

Sep 17, 2014

Abate by

May 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $38,500 · Current $40,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(1):     Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not implement the measures necessary to prevent unauthorized entry:    The employer is failing to ensure that measures necessary to prevent unauthorized entry are implemented.  Employees are entering the hopper railcars from the top with bottom gates open to perform welding repairs and being exposed to entrapment hazards.    The Watco Mechanical Services was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 587438, citation number 1, item number 5, and was affirmed as a final order on December 16, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 17000 Premium Dr. Hockley, TX 77447.

Issued

Sep 17, 2014

Abate by

May 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3):     Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not develop and implement the means, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations:    In the railcar repair bay the employer is failing to ensure that the confined space program ensures that the means, procedures and practices necessary for safe permit entry operations are implemented, such as but not limited to completing a permit and testing the atmosphere prior to entry.  Employees are entering the hopper railcars to perform welding repairs and being exposed to entrapment hazards, without implementing appropriate entry procedures.    The Watco Mechanical Services was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 587438, citation number 1, item number 7, and was affirmed as a final order on December 16, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 17000 Premium Dr. Hockley, TX 77447.