OSHA Inspection: WEST BLOCK, INC.

Issued

Aug 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 26, 2014

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $100 Reduced

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 06/18/14 and at times prior thereto 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 104.9 dB and 105.5 dB, respectively).    West Block, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 953224, citation number 2, item number 1, issued on 03/10/2014 and affirmed as a final order on  04/17/2014, with respect to a workplace located at 94 River St., East Ellijay, GA 30359.   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

Aug 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 26, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $2,200 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 -  On or about 06/18/14 and at times prior thereto 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.   West Block, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 953224, citation number 1, item number 2-a, issued on 03/10/2014 and affirmed as a final order on  04/17/2014, with respect to a workplace located at 94 River St., East Ellijay, GA 30359.     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

Aug 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 26, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $2,200 Reduced

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 06/18/14 and at times prior thereto 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.   West Block, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 953224, citation number 1, item number 2-b, issued on 03/10/2014 and affirmed as a final order on  04/17/2014, with respect to a workplace located at 94 River St., East Ellijay, GA 30359.   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

Aug 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 26, 2014

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $100 Reduced

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 06/18/14 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.  West Block, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 953224, citation number 2, item number 3, issued on 03/10/2014 and affirmed as a final order on  04/17/2014, with respect to a workplace located at 94 River St., East Ellijay, GA 30359.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Aug 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 26, 2014

Penalty

Initial $6,160 · Current $3,080 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 06/18/14 and at times prior thereto 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.   West Block, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 953224, citation number 1, item number 4-a, issued on 03/10/2014 and affirmed as a final order on  04/17/2014, with respect to a workplace located at 94 River St., East Ellijay, GA 30359.   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

Aug 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 26, 2014

Penalty

Initial $6,160 · Current $3,072 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) Plant - On or about 06/18/14 a side of the block machine was not guarded, exposing employees to an unprotected four-belt and pulley system.    West Block, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its  equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 953224, citation number 1, item number 4-b, issued on 03/10/2014 and affirmed as a final order on  04/17/2014, with respect to a workplace located at 94 River St., East Ellijay, GA 30359.     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

Aug 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 26, 2014

Penalty

Initial $6,160 · Current $0 Reduced

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 06/18/14  and at times prior thereto a side of the block machine was not guarded, exposing employees to an unprotected four-belt and pulley system.       West Block, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 953224, citation number 1, item number 4-c, issued on 03/10/2014 and affirmed as a final order on  04/17/2014, with respect to a workplace located at 94 River St., East Ellijay, GA 30359.       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

Aug 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 26, 2014

Penalty

Initial $6,160 · Current $0 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:    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.     West Block, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 953224, citation number 1, item number 4-d, issued on 03/10/2014 and affirmed as a final order on  04/17/2014, with respect to a workplace located at 94 River St., East Ellijay, GA 30359.     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.