OSHA Inspection: WOOD FIBERS INC.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

Apr 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,695 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 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 crushing and struck-by hazards:      a)  On or about September 30, 2014, the employees walking and working in the yard and around the pellet building were exposed to being struck-by and run over while the Hyundai Wheel Loader HL750 was operated with a broken windshield.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

Apr 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,695 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.67(c)(2)(v): A body belt was not worn and a lanyard attached to the boom or basket when working from an aerial lift:    a)  On or about 1/22/2015, a Mill Operator employee was not wearing a full-body harness and a lanyard attached to the boom or basket when working from a Simon Constructor AT 40C aerial lift.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

May 2, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $3,773 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1): The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative:    a) At the worksite located at 1050 Washington Street, the employer did not create a Lockout / Tagout Program that accounted for full employee protection in group lockout situations.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

May 2, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(i): A procedure was not utilized to afford the employees a level of protection equivalent to that provided by the implementation of a personal lockout or tagout device when servicing and/or maintenance was performed by a crew, craft, department or other group:  a)  On or about 01/23/2015, the employer had not developed an energy control procedure for Mill Operator employees who were conducting group maintenance with the Lead/Supervisor on the dust processing equipment located outside, exposing employees to potentially energized equipment such as the screw auger which feeds the Hammermill from the 1st stage cyclonic separator.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

May 2, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D):  Each authorized employee did not affix a personal lockout or tagout device to the group lockout device before working on the machine or equipment:  a)  On or about 01/23/2015, two Mill Operator employees were conducting maintenance operation on the dust processing equipment without each of the operators having affixed their personal lockout devices while working alongside the Lead/Supervisor.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

May 2, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,080 · Current $2,156 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)  On or about 10/01/2014, the palletizer robot was not guarded to keep employees from entering the robotic enclosure while the robot was still energized exposing employees to struck-by hazards.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

Apr 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,695 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:    a)  On or about 10/01/2014, unused openings in an equipment control cabinet located on the east side of the facility were not effectively closed when duct tape was used to cover openings.    b)  On or about 10/01/2014, a missing knockout in the palletizer robot's e-stop control box located adjacent to the pallet opening of the robot enclosure was not closed.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

Apr 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,695 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:    a)  On or about 10/01/2014, a 240v outlet immediately adjacent to the south exit door did not have a cover or faceplate which exposed employees to shock hazards from energized electrical wires.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

Apr 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,695 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:    a)  On or about 10/01/2014, a flexible cord used to power the motor which ran the auger that collected fines from below the shaker table was secured to the auger's housing with tape and used as fixed wiring.    b)  On or about 10/01/2014, a flexible cord used to power the bagging machine's control panel was secured with a twisted wire and used as fixed wiring.    c)  On or about 10/01/2014, a flexible cord used to power the motor which ran the auger that was located below the bagging machine's conveyor was used as fixed wiring when it was taped to up to three other flexible (extension) cords.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

Apr 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,695 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(ii): There was a defect or evidence of damage that could have exposed an employee to injury and the defective or damaged item was not removed from service:    a)  On or about 10/01/2014, an energized flexible extension cord used to power the scale below the bagger machine was damaged and potentially exposed employees to electrical shock.    b)  On or about 10/01/2014, an energized flexible extension cord which was run along the south wall of the facility below the indoor pellet storage bins was damaged, covered with electrical tape and potentially exposed employees to electrical shock.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

May 2, 2015

Penalty

Initial $10,780 · Current $7,546 Reduced

Hazardous substances M110

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  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 combustible wood dust fire hazards while working at or near wood pellet production and associated dust collection equipment unequipped to prevent or minimize employee exposure to combustible wood dust fires:      a)  Equipment downstream of the rotary dryer [outdoor equipment such as the 1st stage primary cyclonic separator (1st cyclone), 1st stage secondary cyclonic separators (Multi-Clone multiple parallel cyclone dust collector system), hammermill, 2nd stage primary cyclonic separator (2nd cyclone), 2nd stage secondary filter-media dust collector (Silver baghouse), and indoor equipment such as the ripening bin, pellet mills, cooling bin, and bagging machine], was not protected from the introduction of combustible wood dust fire ignition sources presented by the rotary dryer.      b)  Equipment downstream of the hammermill and associated 2nd stage fan/blower [outdoor equipment such as the 2nd stage primary cyclonic separator (2nd cyclone), 2nd stage secondary filter-media dust collector (Silver baghouse), and indoor equipment such as the ripening bin, and pellet mills, cooling bin, and bagging machine], was not protected from the introduction of combustible wood dust fire ignition sources presented by the hammermill and associated 2nd stage fan/blower.      c)  The outdoor 2nd stage secondary filter-media dust collector (Silver baghouse) contained deflagration (flame front) venting with a discharge path capable of exposing employees in the path to the effects of flame, heat, or pressure in the event of deflagration relief.      d)  The indoor storage bin (ripening bin) located downstream of the 2nd stage primary cyclonic separator (2nd cyclone) and upstream of the pellet mills lacked a means of fire protection.      e)  Equipment downstream of pellet process fan/blower [outdoor equipment such as the pellet process primary cyclonic separator (cyclone) and the pellet process secondary filter-media dust collector (Blue baghouse)], was not protected from the introduction of combustible wood dust fire ignition sources presented by the  pellet process fan/blower.      THE WOOD FIBERS INC. WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD OR ITS EQUIVALENT STANDARD OSH ACT OF 1970 SECTION (5)(a)(1) WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 109697, CITATION NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 1 AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON 05/24/2012, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 1050 WASHINGTON STREET, NIAGARA, WI 54151.    Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to follow National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Standard 664 "Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities, 2012 ed" - Sections 8.6.2.2 (rotary dryer spark detection and control system requirements); Sections 8.4.2.3 and 8.2.2.2.2 (size reduction equipment spark detection and control system requirements); Section 8.2.2.4.2 (fans/blowers handling combustible particulate spark detection and control system requirements);  Section A.8.10.3.1 (storage bin location recommendations) and NFPA 68 "Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting. 2013 ed." - Sections 4.2.1.3, 6.6.1, 8.9 and A.6.6 (deflagration vent discharge path safety).

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

Apr 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $10,780 · Current $7,546 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1):  All places of employment, passageways, storerooms or service rooms were not kept clean and orderly or in a sanitary condition.    a)  On or about 10/01/2014, the employer did not keep several feet of wood dust from accumulating on the roof of the facility in the area below the roof mounted outdoor 2nd stage cyclonic separator.    b)  On or about 10/01/2014, the employer did not keep up to several inches of combustible wood dust from accumulating on overhead pipes, duct work, electrical conduit, ceiling I-beams, equipment, and wall structures.    THE WOOD FIBERS INC. WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD OR ITS EQUIVALENT STANDARD 29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1), WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 107478, CITATION NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 1A AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON 04/09/2012, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 1050 WASHINGTON STREET, NIAGARA, WI 54151.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

Apr 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  a)  On or about 10/01/2014, workroom floors in the east portion of the Pellet building were not kept clean, so far as possible, of up to several inches of combustible wood dust accumulations.  THE WOOD FIBERS INC. WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD OR ITS EQUIVALENT STANDARD 29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2), WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 107478, CITATION NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 1B AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON 04/09/2012, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 1050 WASHINGTON STREET, NIAGARA, WI 54151.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

May 2, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,700 · Current $5,390 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 10/01/2014, employees were not protected from rotating parts or ingoing nip points of:    a)  The pulleys for the motor and auger that collected and moved fines from below the shaker table;    b)  Two sets of pulleys for the motors and augers that transported material from the ripening bin to the pellet mills;    c)  Pulleys for each of the three augers that transported pellets from the indoor storage bins to the bagging machine's conveyor belt;    d)  Three sets of pulleys for the motors and augers that transported wood dust from the silver dust collector, the furnace fuel bin and the pellet process cyclonic separator to the furnace feed auger.    THE WOOD FIBERS 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 107748, CITATION NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 3A AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON 02/03/2012, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 1050 WASHINGTON STREET, NIAGARA, WI 54151.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

May 2, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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):  On or about 10/01/2014, employees were not protected from ingoing nip points of:  a)  The vertical belt for the motor and auger that collected and moved fines from below the shaker table;  b)  The vertical belts for each of the motors/augers that transported material from the ripening bin to the pellet mills;  c)  Three vertical belts for each of the three motors/augers that transported wood dust from the silver dust collector, the furnace fuel bin and the pellet process cyclonic separator to the furnace feed auger.  THE WOOD FIBERS INC. WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD OR ITS EQUIVALENT STANDARD 29 CFR 1910.219(e)(2)(i), WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 107748, CITATION NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 3B AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON 02/03/2012, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 1050 WASHINGTON STREET, NIAGARA, WI 54151.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

May 2, 2015

Penalty

Initial $10,780 · Current $7,546 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)  On or about 10/01/2014, sprocket wheels and a chain which were less than seven feet above the ripening bin's platform were not enclosed and exposed employees to amputation and/or caught-in hazards.    THE WOOD FIBERS 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 109697, CITATION NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 2 AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON 05/24/2012, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 1050 WASHINGTON STREET, NIAGARA, WI 54151.