OSHA Inspection: ATLAS METAL & IRON CORPORATION

Issued

Mar 4, 2015

Abate by

Jun 23, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,960 · Current $4,228

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1):  The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to slips and falls as a result of scaling structural members of equipment:     (a) Atlas Metal & Iron Corporation at 100 Umatilla St., Denver, CO 80204:  On or before September 5, 2014 the employer did not ensure employees had safe means to access a platform on the south MTB, in that employees climb structural members of the MTB to access the lower work platform.  This condition exposed employees to slip and fall hazards.       (b) Atlas Metal & Iron Corporation at 100 Umatilla St., Denver, CO 80204:  On or before September 5, 2014 the employer did not ensure employees had safe means to access the hopper hatch on the SIERRA baler, in that employees climb structural members of the baler to access the hatch on the hopper.  This condition exposed employees to slip and fall hazards.       (c) Atlas Metal & Iron Corporation at 100 Umatilla St., Denver, CO 80204:  On or before September 5, 2014 the employer did not ensure employees had safe means to access the hopper on the Harris baler, in that employees climb structural members of the hopper to gain access inside the hopper.  This condition exposed employees to slip and fall hazards.       Abatement Note: A feasible and acceptable abatement method for the employer to correct the hazard is to install a fixed ladder in accordance with ANSI/ASSE A1264.1-2007 Safety Requirements for Workplace Walking/Working Surfaces and Their Access; Workplace Floor, Wall and Roof Openings; Stairs and Guardrail Systems.     Another feasible method is to utilize a fixed ladder in accordance with ANSI A14.3-2008 Safety Requirements for Fixed Ladders.

Issued

Mar 4, 2015

Abate by

Jun 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,960 · Current $4,228

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(l):  Place(s) of employment were not kept clean:      (a) Atlas Metal & Iron Corporation at 100 Umatilla St., Denver, CO 80204:  On or before September 5, 2014 in the chopper building combustible dust accumulated in depths in excess of 1/32 inch on surface areas such as ceiling rafters, electrical conduit, lighting fixtures, electrical disconnect boxes, horizontal wall beams, and other equipment. This condition exposed employees to the hazard of fire involving combustible dust.

Issued

Mar 4, 2015

Abate by

Apr 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,940 · Current $4,228 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1):  Open-sided floors or platforms 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground levels were not guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) on all open sides except where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder:      (a) Atlas Metal & Iron Corporation at 100 Umatilla St., Denver, CO 80204:  On or before September 5, 2014 the employer did not ensure open-sided platforms that were 4 feet or more above ground level were guarded by a standard railing or the equivalent, in that the upper platform on the south MTB did not have guardrails installed on the west side.  This condition exposed employees to fall hazards of more than four feet.      (b) Atlas Metal & Iron Corporation at 100 Umatilla St., Denver, CO 80204:  On or before September 5, 2014 the employer did not ensure open-sided floors that were 4 feet or more above ground levels were guarded by a standard railing or the equivalent, in that the top rail on the outside of the work platform of the SIERRA baler hopper was measured at 37 inches.

Issued

Mar 4, 2015

Abate by

Apr 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,940 · Current $4,228 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a):  Protective equipment was not used when hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:        (a) Atlas Metal & Iron Corporation at 100 Umatilla St., Denver, CO 80204:  On or before September 5, 2014 the employer did not ensure that employees utilized personal fall protection when accessing the hopper of the SIERRA baler via the top of the conveyor.  This condition exposed employees to a fall hazard of approximately 10 feet.

Issued

Mar 4, 2015

Abate by

Apr 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,930 · Current $6,930

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1):  The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces are permit-required confined spaces:    (a) Atlas Metal & Iron Corporation at 100 Umatilla St., Denver, CO 80204:  On or before September 5, 2014 the employer did not evaluate the SIERRA baler to determine if the hopper was a permit-required confined space.  Employees work inside the hopper to unjam metal.  This condition exposed employees to uncontrolled mechanical hazards.            (b) Atlas Metal & Iron Corporation at 100 Umatilla St., Denver, CO 80204:  On or before September 5, 2014 the employer did not evaluate the Harris baler to determine if the hopper was a permit-required confined space.  Employees enter the hopper to unjam metal and change shear blades.  This condition exposed employees to uncontrolled mechanical hazards.

Issued

Mar 4, 2015

Abate by

Apr 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2):  The employer did not inform exposed employees of the existence and location of permit spaces by posting signs or by any other equally effective means:      (a) Atlas Metal & Iron Corporation at 100 Umatilla St., Denver, CO 80204:  On or before September 5, 2014 the employer did not inform exposed employees that the SIERRA baler hopper was a permit-required confined space.  This condition exposed employees to the hazards of working inside a permit-required confined space.          (b) Atlas Metal & Iron Corporation at 100 Umatilla St., Denver, CO 80204:  On or before September 5, 2014 the employer did not inform exposed employees that the Harris baler hopper was a permit-required confined space.  This condition exposed employees to the hazards of working inside a permit-required confined space.          Abatement Note:  A sign reading DANGER -- PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER or using other similar language would satisfy the requirement for a sign.

Issued

Mar 4, 2015

Abate by

Apr 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4):  If the employer decides that its employees will enter permit spaces, the employer shall develop and implement a written permit space program that complies with this section. The written program shall be available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives.     (a)  Atlas Metal & Iron Corporation at 100 Umatilla St., Denver, CO 80204:  On or before September 5, 2014 the employer did not develop and implement a written permit space program for employees entering the Harris and SIERRA balers.  Employees enter the baler hopper to unjam metals, remove dissimilar metals, and to change shear blades.  This condition exposed employees to energized mechanical hazards.

Issued

Mar 4, 2015

Abate by

Apr 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,930 · Current $6,930

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)  Atlas Metal & Iron Corporation at 100 Umatilla St., Denver, CO 80204:  On or before September 5, 2014 machine specific procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section for the SIERRA baler.  On September 5, 2014 an employee was fatality injured when the gathering ram cycled while the employee was working inside the hopper.       Abatement Note:  Procedures shall be developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees are engaged in the activities covered by this section.  The procedures shall clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, the following:    1) A specific statement of the intended use of the procedures; 2) Specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy; 3) Specific procedural steps for the placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices or tagout devices and the responsibility for them; and 4) Specific requirements for testing a machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy control measures.

Issued

Mar 4, 2015

Abate by

Oct 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,950 · Current $4,228 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii):  Point(s) of operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s):      (a) Atlas Metal & Iron Corporation at 100 Umatilla St., Denver, CO 80204:  On or before September 5, 2014 the employer did not ensure the point of operation on the alligator shears located in the steel yard as properly guarded to prevent employees from having any part of their body in the danger zone during operation.  This condition exposed employees to amputation hazards.        (b) Atlas Metal & Iron Corporation at 100 Umatilla St., Denver, CO 80204:  On or before September 5, 2014 the employer did not ensure the point of operation on the alligator shears located in the metal warehouse was properly guarded to prevent employees from having any part of their body in the danger zone during operation.  This condition exposed employees to amputation hazards.        (c) Atlas Metal & Iron Corporation at 100 Umatilla St., Denver, CO 80204:  On or before September 5, 2014 the employer did not ensure the point of operations on the alligator shears located in the copper sorting area was properly guarded to prevent employees from having any part of their body in the danger zone during operation.  This condition exposed employees to amputation hazards.