OSHA Inspection: BOOMERANG TUBE, LLC

Issued

Dec 30, 2014

Abate by

Jan 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The employer does not furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from the recognized hazards of being struck-by which are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees:       a. This violation occurred on or about July 1, 2014, and at times prior thereto, at the slitter main shop where employees were exposed to struck-by hazards while operating an underhung crane that was without function identification markings on the pendant control.    b. This violation occurred on or about July 1, 2014, and at times prior thereto, at mill 2 near the flying cut off area where employees were exposed to struck-by hazards while operating an overhead crane that was without function identification markings on the remote control transmitter.     Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that employees are not exposed to struck-by hazards.

Issued

Dec 30, 2014

Abate by

Jan 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The employer does not furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from the recognized hazards of being crushed-by loads suspended using a lifting eye, exceeding the manufacturer's recommendations which are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees:      This violation occurred on or about July 1, 2014, and at times prior thereto, at the Mill 2 near the flying cut off area where employees were exposed to being crushed-by a welding unit and other welding equipment that were being lifted together using the lifting eye of the welding unit that was designed to lift the unit only.       Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that the welding unit lifting eye is only used to lift the welding unit.

Issued

Dec 30, 2014

Abate by

Jan 14, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): Floor(s) of workroom(s) were not maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition:     The employer does not keep the floor of every workroom maintained in a clean and so far as possible, dry condition.        a. This hazard occurred or about July 2, 2014, and at times prior thereto at the Mill 1 threading area where employees were exposed to a slip hazard when working at their work station with the floor covered in coolant and oils without having kept the floor maintained and a clean and dry condition.        b.  This hazard occurred or about July 2, 2014, and at times prior thereto at the Mill 2 cooling area where employees were exposed to a slip hazard when walking down the aisle way with the floor covered in coolant without having kept the floor maintained and a clean and dry condition.        c. This hazard occurred or about July 2, 2014, and at times prior thereto at the Mill 2 flying cut off area where employees were exposed to a slip hazard when walking by and working at the ID scarf removal area with the floor covered in coolant without having kept the floor maintained and a clean and dry condition.        Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that every workroom floor is kept in a clean and dry condition.

Issued

Dec 30, 2014

Abate by

Jan 10, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed:    The employer does not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements are being followed.  This violation was observed on or about November 20, 2014, where at the facility employees were exposed to hazardous energies when performing service and maintenance to machinery without the employer having conducted a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements are being followed.      Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure is conducted at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements are being followed.

Issued

Dec 30, 2014

Abate by

Jan 6, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(b): Material stored in tiers was not stacked, blocked, interlocked or limited in height so that it was stable and secure against sliding and collapse:    The employer does not store materials so that they are stable and secure against sliding or collapse.  This violation was observed on or about July 2, 2014, in the yard area where employees were exposed to a crushed by and struck by hazard when walking and working near pipe racks with damaged and deteriorated wood block separators without the pipe racks being secured against sliding or collapse.       Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that stored materials are stable and secure against sliding or collapse.

Issued

Dec 30, 2014

Abate by

Jan 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(n)(3)(vi): The employer did not require that the operator of crane(s) avoid carrying loads over people.    The employer does not ensure that the operator of the crane avoid carrying loads over people. This violation occurred on or about July 1, 2014, and at times prior thereto, at the Quench and Temp area where an employee was exposed to struck-by and crushed-by hazards while working under the suspended loads being hoisted without the employer requiring that the operator of crane(s) avoid carrying loads over people.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation describing the actions it is taking to ensure that loads are not carried over employees.

Issued

Dec 30, 2014

Abate by

Jan 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $3,850 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4): Work rest(s) on grinding machinery were not adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one eighth inch.    The employer does not ensure that the work rests on bench grinders are adjusted with a maximum opening of one-eighth inch. This violation was observed on or about July 01, 2014 at the Quench and Temp area in the maintenance shop where employees were exposed to caught in and struck-by hazards when operating a bench grinder without the work rests adjusted to the wheel with a maximum opening of one-eighth inch.       Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that all bench grinder are equipped with work rests and that they are properly adjusted.

Issued

Dec 30, 2014

Abate by

Jan 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9): Guard for abrasive wheel machine where the operator stands in front of the machine was not constructed so that the peripheral protecting member could be adjusted to the constantly decreasing diameter of the wheel.   The employer does not ensure that the tongue guards on bench grinders are adjusted with a maximum opening of one-fourth inch. This violation was observed on or about July 01, 2014 at the Quench and Temp area in the maintenance shop where employees were exposed to struck-by hazards when operating a bench grinder without tongue.  Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that all bench grinders are equipped with tongue guards and that they are properly adjusted to the grinding wheel with a maximum opening of 1/4th inch.

Issued

Dec 30, 2014

Abate by

Jan 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,300 · Current $2,310 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.:    The employer does ensure that air pressure used for cleaning is reduced to less than 30 psi.  This hazard was observed on or about July 2, 2014, at the Mill 1 and Mill 2 thread lines where employees were exposed to a struck by hazard when using compressed air to clean the ends of threaded pipe without the employer having the air pressure reduced to less than 30 psi.      Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that air pressure used for cleaning is reduced to less than 30 psi.

Issued

Dec 30, 2014

Abate by

Jan 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $3,850 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(5)(ii)(A): When transporting cylinders by a crane or derrick, a cradle, boat, or suitable platform shall be used. Slings or electric magnets shall not be used for this purpose. Valve-protection caps, where cylinder is designed to accept a cap, shall always be in place.    The employer does not ensure that cylinders transported by a crane or derrick have the valve-protection caps in place. This violation was observed on or about July 01, 2014, at the Mill 2 near the flying cut off area, where employees were exposed to struck-by hazards when cylinders were lifted and transported by a crane without valve-protection caps in place.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that cylinders transported by a crane have valve-protection caps in place.

Issued

Dec 30, 2014

Abate by

Jan 6, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,300 · Current $2,310 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): Each outlet box in completed installations did not have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy:     The employer does not provide all electrical fittings with covers.      a. This violation was observed on or about July 2, 2014, in Mill 1 break room near the northeast corner, where employees were exposed to an electrical hazard while walking and sitting near and utilizing a wall electrical outlet without the outlet box being covered       b. This violation was observed on or about July 2, 2014, in Mill 1 break room behind the Powerade vending machine where employees were exposed to an electrical hazard when operating the machine without the outlet box being covered.         Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that all pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings are provided with covers.

Issued

Dec 30, 2014

Abate by

Jan 6, 2015

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $49,000 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):     The employer does not guard every open sided platform four feet above adjacent ground levels by a standard railing or its equivalent.         a.  This violation occurred or about July 1, 2014, and at times prior thereto in the pipe yard where employees were exposed to fall hazards when climbing and working on pipe racks without standard railings or equivalent.       b.  This violation occurred or about November 12, 2014, and at times prior thereto in the Slitter area where employees were exposed to fall hazards when traversing the north side slitter platform without the platform having standard railings or equivalent.        Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that every open sided floor and/or platform four feet or more above adjacent floors or the ground level is guarded by standard railing or its equivalent.

Issued

Dec 30, 2014

Abate by

Jan 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $38,500 · Current $26,950 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:    The employer does not utilize energy isolation procedures for the control of potentially hazardous energy.    a. This violation occurred on or about July 1, 2014, and at times prior thereto, at Mill 2 HPU where authorized and affected personnel were exposed to struck by and crushed by hazards when performing service and/or maintenance on the unit without utilizing written energy control procedures for the control of potentially hazardous energy.    b. This violation occurred on or about July 1, 2014, and at times prior thereto, at the slitter turnstile where a maintenance employee was performing service and/or maintenance near the turnstile without utilizing written energy control procedures for the control of potentially hazardous energy.    c. This violation occurred on or about July 2, 2014, and at times prior thereto, at the Quench & Temp Straightener where an authorized and affected employee was exposed to struck by and crushed by hazards when performing service and/or maintenance on the unit without utilizing written energy control procedures for the control of potentially hazardous energy.    d. This violation occurred on or about November 12, 2014, and at times prior thereto, at the Mill 1 Blowout where operators and maintenance employees were exposed to struck-by and crushed-by hazards when cleaning the area and performing service to the walking beams without utilizing written energy control procedures for the control of potentially hazardous energy.    e. This violation occurred on or about November 12, 2014, and at times prior thereto, at the Mill 2 Flying Cutoff where employees were exposed to struck-by and crushed-by hazards when cleaning the drains in the area without utilizing written energy control procedures for the control of potentially hazardous energy.    f. This violation occurred on or about November 12, 2014, and at times prior thereto, at the Mill 2 Blowout area where employees were exposed to struck by and crushed by hazards when servicing the area without utilizing written energy control procedures for the control of potentially hazardous energy.     Boomerang Tube, LLC 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 315610279, citation number 2 item number 9 and was affirmed as a final order on 11/05/2012, with a final abatement date of 10/20/2012, with respect to a workplace located at 1100 FM 3661 Road, Liberty, TX 77575.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that specific procedures have been developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy.

Issued

Dec 30, 2014

Abate by

Jan 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $38,500 · Current $53,900

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 ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:     The employer does not provide his employees with one or more methods of machine guarding to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks.       a. This violation occurred on or about July 1, 2014, and at times prior thereto, at the Mill Line 1, Mill Line 2 and upset areas where authorized and affected personnel were exposed to struck by and caught-between hazards when working close to moving pipes, moving drift units, gravity propelled tables, moving mill flying pipe cutoff units, various hydraulic conveyor arms including, but not limited to kicker and bucking arms without the employer having provided one or more methods of machine guarding to protect the employees.      b. This violation occurred on or about July 1, 2014, and at times prior thereto, at the slitter area where authorized and affected personnel were exposed to struck by and caught-between hazards when working close to unguarded moving scarf, moving steel coil sheeting and hydraulic table without the employer having provided one or more methods of machine guarding to protect the employees.     c. This violation occurred on or about July 1, 2014, and at times prior thereto, at the Thread and Finishing lines 1 and 2 areas where authorized and affected personnel were exposed to struck by and caught-between hazards when working close to spinning threaders, and moving and spinning pipes without the employer having provided one or more methods of machine guarding to protect the employees.      The BOOMERANG TUBE, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 315610279 Citation Number 2, Item Number 4 and was affirmed as a final order on 11/05/2012, with a final abatement date of 10/20/2012, with respect to a workplace located at 1100 FM 3661 Road, Liberty, TX 77575.      Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that all identified hazards are controlled by appropriate guarding in accordance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) B11.18-1997, sub clause 8.3.

Issued

Dec 30, 2014

Abate by

Jan 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $38,500 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): The  point of operation of machines whose operation exposed an employee to injury, was not guarded:    The employer does not guard the point of operation of machines whose operation exposes an employee to injury.      a)  This violation occurred on or about July 1, 2014, and at times prior thereto, at the scarf winder on Mill 1 where employees were exposed to caught in and struck by hazards when they load and remove scarf from a collection wheel without the point of operation being guarded to protect the employees from injury.        b) This violation occurred on or about July 1, 2014, and at times prior thereto, at the scarf winder on Mill 2 where employees were exposed to a caught in and struck by hazard when they load and remove scarf from a collection wheel without the point of operation being guarded to protect the employees from injury.        The BOOMERANG TUBE, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 315610279 Citation Number 2, Item Number 5 and was affirmed as a final order on 11/05/2012, with a final abatement date of 10/20/2012, with respect to a workplace located at 1100 FM 3661 Road, Liberty, TX 77575.      For this contested citation item, the final order date was the 30th day after the date on which a decision or order of the Commission Administrative Law Judge has been docketed with the commission.  The decision or order was docketed on 10/05/2012 and became final order on 11/05/2012.     Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that guards are installed on all machines to protect employees from the point of operation.

Issued

Dec 30, 2014

Abate by

Jan 6, 2015

Penalty

Initial $38,500 · Current $26,950 Reduced

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):    The employer does not guard live parts of electrical equipment against accidental contact by approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures.  This occurred or about July 1, 2014, and at times prior thereto in the Mill 1 threading area where employees were exposed to an electrical hazard when walking down an aisle way and using a staircase adjacent to a an electrical junction box under the conveyor with extruding live electrical wires without having guarded the live parts of the electrical equipment.       Boomerang Tube, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 315610279, citation number 1 item number 9 and was affirmed as a final order on 11/05/2012, with a final abatement date of 10/20/2012, with respect to a workplace located at 1100 FM 3661 Road, Liberty, TX 77575.      Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that live parts of electrical equipment are guarded against accidental contact by approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures