OSHA Inspection: C & H DIE CASTING INC.

Issued

Dec 29, 2014

Abate by

Mar 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(b)(1): Where mechanical handling equipment was used, aisles and passageways had obstructions across, were not in good repair and created a hazard:    On or about September 4, 2014, in the furnace area, the employer failed to ensure that the aisles were in good repair. The aisles were obstructed with uneven and warped steel plates, exposing the employees to the hazards of slips, trips and falls.

Issued

Dec 29, 2014

Abate by

Dec 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(8): Every floor hole into which persons can accidentally walk were not guarded:    On or about September 4, 2014, in the furnace area, the employer failed to ensure that the floor hole near the die cast and furnace aisle was adequately guarded. Employees exposed to tripping hazard. The floor hole was measured at 14 inches wide, 18 inches long and 12 inches deep.

Issued

Dec 29, 2014

Abate by

Dec 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,300 · Current $1,500 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):    On or about September 4, 2014, in the furnace docking area, the employer failed to ensure that the open side on the dock was guarded with a standard railing system (or equivalent). Employees exposed to a fall hazard of approximately four feet and four inches to the lower level.

Issued

Dec 29, 2014

Abate by

Dec 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:    On or about September 4, 2014, in the furnace area, the furnace employee was not wearing personal protective equipment to protect him from burns when performing such duties as hauling a hot pot (ladle) of steel or pouring that steel into a die. The employee was exposed to the hazard of being struck by molten metal.

Issued

Dec 29, 2014

Abate by

Dec 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(ii): The unused keyway(s) of projecting shaft end(s) were not filled up or covered:     On or about September 4, 2014, in the secondary department the employer failed to ensure the unused keyways of the shafts were filled in or guarded. There were three shafts on the Roto Clean washer and dryer machine. Employees exposed to the hazard of being caught in the rotating shafts.

Issued

Dec 29, 2014

Abate by

Dec 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,300 · Current $1,500 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):     On or about September 4, 2014, in the die repair area, the employer failed to ensure the pulley on the KO-Lee machine (serial number 1509-DB) was not guarded. Employees exposed to the hazard of being caught in the rotating pulley.

Issued

Dec 29, 2014

Abate by

Dec 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1): 1910.219(e)(1)(i) Horizontal belts which had both runs 42 inches or less from the floor level were not fully enclosed  by guards conforming to the requirements  specified in 29 CFR1910.219 (m) and (o):  On or about September 4, 2014, in the die repair area, the employer failed to ensure the belt on the KO-Lee machine (serial number 1509-DB) was guarded. Employees exposed to the hazard of being caught in the rotating belt.

Issued

Dec 29, 2014

Abate by

Dec 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.254(d)(8): Welding cables with splices within 10 feet (3 m) of the holder were used:    On or about September 4, 2014, in the furnace area, the employer failed to ensure there were no splices within 10 feet of the holder on the Lincoln 250 welder (serial number 235779).  Employees exposed to a potential electrical shock hazard.

Issued

Dec 29, 2014

Abate by

Dec 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.254(b)(4)(iv): Terminals for welding leads were not protected from accidental contact by personnel or metal objects:  On or about September 4, 2014, in the furnace area, the employer failed to ensure the terminals for the welding leads were protected from accidental contact. The protective caps on the terminal were missing. Employees exposed to a potential electrical shock hazard. Lincoln 250 welder (serial number 235779).

Issued

Dec 29, 2014

Abate by

Jan 3, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,300 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(g)(5): The path to ground from circuits, equipment, and enclosures was not permanent, continuous, and effective:    On or about September 4, 2014, in the furnace area, the employer failed to ensure that the evaporator unit and the refrigerator were adequately grounded where the grounding prongs were missing. Employees exposed to a potential electrical shock hazard.

Issued

Dec 29, 2014

Abate by

Dec 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:    On or about September 4, 2014, in the maintenance department, the employer failed to ensure there were no unused openings in the disconnect boxes. Employees exposed to a potential electrical shock hazard. Disconnect boxes had unused openings such as:    1. Maintenance department, 120 volt panel box had three breakers missing.    2. Secondary department, 120 volt panel box had one breaker missing.

Issued

Dec 29, 2014

Abate by

Jan 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(f)(2): Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its disconnecting means or overcurrent device, was not legibly marked to indicate its purpose, nor located and arranged so the purpose was evident:  On or about September 4, 2014, at this site, the employer failed to ensure that the breakers were legibly marked to indicate the purpose. Employees exposed to the delay of isolating the electrical source in the event of an emergency.   1. Precision Department, the 120 volt disconnect panel box located behind the Schwoeppe machine did not have the breakers identified.    2. Die Cast Department, there were two (2),  120 volt disconnect panel boxes that did not have the breakers identified.   3. Maintenance Department, the 120 volt disconnect box did not have the breakers identified.  4. Secondary Department, the 120 volt disconnect box did not have the breakers identified.

Issued

Dec 29, 2014

Abate by

Dec 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1): Sufficient access and working space was not provided and maintained about all electric equipment (operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground) to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment:  On or about September 5, 2014, in the Precision department, the employer failed to ensure the 120 volt and 480 volt disconnect panel boxes were not blocked. Employees were exposed to a delay of access and a safe working distance around the panels.

Issued

Dec 29, 2014

Abate by

Dec 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,300 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(j)(2)(i): Receptacles, cord connectors and attachment plugs were not constructed so no receptacles may be installed so as to require an energized attachment plug as its source of supply:    On or about September 5, 2014, in the Precision department, a metal receptacle box that was manufactured to be permanently mounted was used as an extension cord. It was plugged into an outlet and used as an extension cord. The Schwoeppe Machine and Airmaster fan was plugged into the energized receptacle box. Employees exposed to an electrical shock hazard.     In the alternative: 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.

Issued

Dec 29, 2014

Abate by

Dec 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $22,000 · Current $11,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(ii): Flexible cords were not used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap:    On or about September 4, 2014, at the furnace area, the employer failed to ensure flexible cords were not spliced. Employees exposed to an electrical shock hazard. The orange flexible cord that was plugged into the fan near the refrigerator and the flexible cord on the evaporator was spliced.     C & H Die Casting Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(ii) which was contained in OSHA inspection number: 595818, Citation Number 1, Item Number 22a and was affirmed as a Final Order on March 15, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 222 Lely Drive, Troy, Texas 76579.    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 flexible cords are used without splice or tap.