OSHA Inspection: TECHNO-SOLIS, INC.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Oct 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $640 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) and toeboards:    a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014, employees accessed a storage area floor above the break room that was missing guardrails and were exposed to fall hazards of 7.5 feet onto the concrete floor below.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Oct 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $480 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(b): Fixed stairs were not provided for access from one structure level to another where operations necessitated regular travel between levels:    a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014, fixed stairs were not provided as a means of access to the SW building entrance. Rather, a portable, fabricated piece of wood was used to access the building floor which was three feet below the ground level. This resulted in a trip/fall hazard for employees.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Oct 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,280 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.26(c)(2)(vii): 29 CFR 1910.26(c)(2)(vii): Ladders having defects were not marked and taken out of service until repaired.    a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014, portable, self-supporting ladders had damaged handrails that were bent and broken off in places. Handrails were observed to be attached to the ladder with bungee cords and the ladder was not taken out of service for repair.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Oct 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.29(a)(2)(v): All exposed surfaces of manually propelled mobile ladder stands were not free from sharp edges, burrs or other safety hazards.    a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 06/02/2014, portable ladder stands were used at the facility with damaged railing resulting in pointed/sharp sections of railing that employees could cut their hands on.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Oct 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.29(f)(4)(i): Units having more than five (5) steps or 60 inches vertical height to the top step were not equipped with handrails.    For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 06/02/2014, mobile ladder stands with ten or more steps used by employees had missing sections of handrail such that employees using the ladder stands did not have a handhold to keep them from tripping/falling.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Oct 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $800 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) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 06/02/2014, specific procedures were not available for the control of hazardous energy sources present during maintenance activity. Maintenance was performed on equipment such as, but not limited to, welders, seamer, extruders, mixer, grinder, and pipe lathe. Hazardous energy existed in the form of 110/240VAC, mechanical moving parts, high temperature, compressed air, and hydraulic energy.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Aug 7, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,120 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide adequate training to ensure that employees acquired the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage and removal of energy control devices:    a) For the Techno-Solis facility, as observed on or about 06/02/2014, maintenance employees did maintenance and/or repairs on equipment such as, but not limited to, welder, seamer, extruders, mixer, grinder, and pipe lathe.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Aug 7, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(3): All energy isolating devices that were needed to control the energy to the machine or equipment were not physically located and operated in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source(s):  a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 06/02/2014, employees performing maintenance did not de-energize equipment before doing maintenance and/or repair work. Rather, emergency stop buttons were pressed in lieu of de-energizing the equipment being worked on.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Aug 7, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(4)(i): Lockout or tagout devices were not affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees:  a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014, locks and tags were not affixed to the energy isolating devices during maintenance and/or repair activity for equipment such as, but not limited to, welders, seamer, extrusion equipment, mixer, grinder, and pipe lathe containing hazardous energy in the form of 110/240VAC electrical, mechanical moving parts, high temperature, compressed air, and hydraulic energy.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Sep 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $800 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, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:    a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014, employees were exposed to laceration/amputation hazards from an unguarded saw on the pipe extruder line which cut plastic pipe. The saw blade was exposed and employees could contact the blade.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $800 Reduced

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) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014, employees were exposed to an unguarded belt and pulley at the drive motor for the pipe extruder. The unguarded belt and pulley was in an area accessed by employees at waist height.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $640 Reduced

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:    For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014, employees were exposed to nip points from unguarded chains and sprockets:    a) At the mixer, a chain and sprocket was unguarded that could be contacted by employees.    b) At the pipe extruder, chain and sprockets that could be contacted by employees were not enclosed.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:    a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014, in the test area, extension cords had their outer insulation cut open and were hard wired into the motor of an electric pump and into an electrical control box. The electrical control box wiring and extension cords were exposed to water and were not designed/rated for a wet environment. Employees operating the pump and working in the area were exposed to electrical hazards.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(i): Flexible cords and cables were not approved for conditions of use and location:  a) For the Techno-Solis facility, as observed on or about 05/16/2014, an extension cord was used as the permanent power supply to a water pump in the test area. The extension cord had its inner wiring exposed and was permanently wired into the pump and an electrical box in a manner that it was not approved or designed for.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(c)(3)(i): All splices and joints and the free ends of the conductors were not covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device identified for the purpose.      a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014, high temperature 120 volt electrical wiring for extruder heaters were spliced together with plastic butt connectors that did not have an insulation property equivalent to the heater wiring and were not rated for the high temperature application. Live conductors were visible coming out of splices.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Jul 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i): Except as elsewhere required or permitted by Subpart S of Part 1910, live parts of electric equipment operating  at 50 volts or more were not guarded against accidental contact by use of approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures or by any of the means identified in paragraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i):  a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014, 120 Volt conductors were exposed on wiring going into extruder heaters.  b) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 06/02/2014, 120 Volt wiring was exposed on the GR512 pipe drilling/boring machine.  c) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014, 3-phase 230 Volt wiring was exposed underneath the pipe extruder line.   d) In the test area a pump located on the floor had 120 volt wiring exposed.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Aug 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(d)(1): Switchboards that have any exposed live parts were not accessible only to qualified persons.    a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014, electrical switchboard cabinets which contained 240 and 480 VAC electrical components had their doors open or unlocked and were accessible to anybody in the area. Employees who accessed electrical cabinets at the facility were not qualified in that they had received no electrical safety training.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Aug 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.332(b)(1): Employees were not trained in and familiar with the safety-related work practices required by 1910.331 through 1910.335 that pertained to their respective job assignments:    a) For the Techno-Solis facility, as observed on or about 05/16/2014, no training was provided to maintenance employees who were required to do live electrical voltage testing on equipment up to 220 volts and around equipment at voltages of 480 volts.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Aug 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(c)(1): Unqualified persons performed testing work on electric circuits or equipment.  a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014, employees were required to perform live voltage testing on equipment up to 240 VAC without being trained.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Aug 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i): Employees working in areas where there were potential electrical hazards were not using electrical protective equipment that was appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed:    a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 06/02/2014, no electrical protective equipment such as, but not limited to, electrical safety gloves and fire protective clothing was worn while troubleshooting 240 VAC circuits in electrical control cabinets for equipment such as, but not limited to, extruding equipment.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Aug 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(v): Employees exposed to the danger of injury to the eyes or face from electric arcs or flashes or from flying objects resulting from electrical explosion did not wear protective equipment for the eyes or face:  a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 06/02/2014, face protection was not worn while troubleshooting live 240VAC circuits in a electrical control boxes for equipment such as, but not limited to, extrusion equipment.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Aug 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2): Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":  a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014, the 20th St. exit near the grinder was missing an exit sign.  b) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014, the exit at the south-west section of the facility was missing an exit sign.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Jul 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(4): Signs were not posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge when the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge was not immediately apparent:  a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014,the exit route to the exit located near the grinder was not marked to clearly indicate the path of travel. The exit was not within line of sight or obvious from the main production floor.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Jul 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(5): Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit was not marked "Not an Exit" or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use (e.g. closet):  For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014 and 06/02/2014, doors that were not intended to be exits and could be mistaken for exits were not marked, "Not an Exit". Furthermore, the employer's evacuation map was not updated and listed these doors as exits creating further confusion for employees in event of evacuation:  a) Exterior door behind pipe extruder was locked and not intended to be used as an exit, but not marked, "Not an Exit"  b) Exterior door in the office was locked and not intended to be used as an exit, but not marked, "Not an Exit"

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Oct 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.38(a): 29 CFR 1910.38(a)(1):  The emergency action plan required by 29 CFR  1910.157(a) or (b) when the employer has elected to partially or totally evacuate the workplace in the event of a fire emergency, or required by 29 CFR 1910.160(c)(1), did not cover the designated actions that the employer or  employees must take to ensure employee safety from the fire and other emergencies:    a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 06/02/2014, an emergency action plan was not present for the facility when it was the employer's decision to evacuate in event of an emergency.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:  a) For the Techno-Solis facility, as observed on or out 05/16/2014, electrical control boxes for extruding equipment and heat welders had openings revealing their inner wiring.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Oct 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:    a) For the Techno-Solis Facility as observed on or about 05/16/2014, employees used chemicals such as, but not limited to, oils, WD-40, hydraulic oil, simple green, silicone spray, and silicone caulk for maintenance of equipment.

Issued

Jul 21, 2014

Abate by

Oct 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8): The employer did not ensure that material safety data sheets were readily accessible to the employees in their work area during each work shift:    a) For the Techno-Solis facility as observed on or about 5/16/2014, employees used chemicals such as, but not limited to, oils, WD-40, hydraulic oil, simple green, silicone spray, and silicone chalk. Material safety data sheets were not available for all chemicals used at the facility.