OSHA Inspection: SCA, INC.

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,300 · Current $1,650 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(h): Standard railings were not provided on the open sides of all exposed stairways and stair platforms:  a)  Regrind area;  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior to, the employer exposed employees to fall hazards of up to 70" (5'-10") in that employees were allowed to ascend/descend stairs of the big grinder machine (approximately 31" in width) that were not equipped with a standard stair railing in one side when performing tasks such as grind plastic parts.   b)  Regrind area;  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior to, the employer exposed employees to fall hazards of up to 42" (3'-9") in that employees were allowed to ascend/descend stairs of the T-20 grinder machine (approximately 27" in width) that were not equipped with a standard stair railing in one side when performing tasks such as grind plastic parts.

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $2,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:  a) Laborer:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed the employees operating the ultrasonic welding machine to noise at levels of 81.4% (equivalent to an 8 hour time weighted average TWA of 88.5 dBA) which is 1.62 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85dBA) while working in the C Plant.  Results were calculated for a 431 minutes sampling period with a zero concentration assumption for the remaining 49 minutes.  The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program.    b) Laborer:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed the employees operating the ultrasonic welding machine to noise at levels of 91.0% (equivalent to an 8 hour time weighted average TWA of 89.3 dBA) which is 1.82 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85dBA) while working in the C Plant.  Results were calculated for a 455 minutes sampling period with a zero concentration assumption for the remaining 25 minutes.  The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program.      c) Laborer:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed the employees operating the ultrasonic welding machine to noise at levels of 78.0% (equivalent to an 8 hour time weighted average TWA of 88.2 dBA) which is 1.56 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85dBA) while working in the C Plant.  Results were calculated for a 454 minutes sampling period with a zero concentration assumption for the remaining 26 minutes.  The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program.

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 10, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(2): The machine or equipment was not turned off or shut down using the procedures established for the machine or equipment:  a)  Injection molding machine #35;  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior, the employer exposed his employees to potential hazardous energies in that employees were allowed to perform mold exchanges and servicing procedures on injection molding machine #35  without locking it out to prevent the accidental start-up of the machine.

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $2,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.   a)  Forklift battery charging station:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; employees handling forklift batteries containing sulfuric acid (corrosive chemical) are not provided with a functional eye and body wash station.

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,600 · Current $3,300 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) Injection molding machine#2:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed his employees to struck-by hazards in that employees were allowed to operate the injection molding machine #12 with an unguarded robotic arm.  b) Injection molding machine#4:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed his employees to struck-by hazards in that employees were allowed to operate the injection molding machine #12 with an unguarded robotic arm.  c) Injection molding machine#5:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed his employees to struck-by hazards in that employees were allowed to operate the injection molding machine #12 with an unguarded robotic arm.  d) Injection molding machine#12:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed his employees to struck-by hazards in that employees were allowed to operate the injection molding machine #12 with an unguarded robotic arm.  e) Injection molding machine#14:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed his employees to struck-by hazards in that employees were allowed to operate the injection molding machine #12 with an unguarded robotic arm.  f) Injection molding machine#15:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed his employees to struck-by hazards in that employees were allowed to operate the injection molding machine #12 with an unguarded robotic arm.  g) Injection molding machine#16:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed his employees to struck-by hazards in that employees were allowed to operate the injection molding machine #12 with an unguarded robotic arm.  h) Injection molding machine#17:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed his employees to struck-by hazards in that employees were allowed to operate the injection molding machine #12 with an unguarded robotic arm.  i) Injection molding machine#18:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed his employees to struck-by hazards in that employees were allowed to operate the injection molding machine #12 with an unguarded robotic arm.  j) Injection molding machine#19:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed his employees to struck-by hazards in that employees were allowed to operate the injection molding machine #12 with an unguarded robotic arm.  k) Injection molding machine#21:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed his employees to struck-by hazards in that employees were allowed to operate the injection molding machine #12 with an unguarded robotic arm.  l) Injection molding machine#22:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed his employees to struck-by hazards in that employees were allowed to operate the injection molding machine #12 with an unguarded robotic arm.  m) Ultrasonic Welding machine:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed his employees to crushing hazards in that employees were allowed to operate the ultrasonic welding machine without the safety guard on.

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 10, 2015

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(2)(ii): Assigned storage spaces for cylinders was not located away from elevators, stairs, or gangways where cylinders could not be knocked over or damaged by passing or falling objects, or subject to tampering by unauthorized persons.  a)  Storage Area:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed employees to struck by hazards in that employees were allowed to walk and work in the same area where cylinders were stored but were not secured to prevent the cylinders from being knocked over.

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 10, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(2)(iv): Valve protection caps, where cylinders were designed to accept caps, were not always in place, hand-tight, except when cylinders were in use or connected for use:  a)  Storage Area:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed employees to fire / explosion hazards in that employees were allowed to walk and work in the storage area next to cylinders without caps in place.

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 10, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $2,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

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:   a) Mold shop area: On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed employees to electrical hazards in that employees were allowed to walk and work in the same area where a metallic outlet box, designed for fixed installation and was not securely affixed to any surface.

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 10, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $2,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): Pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers approved for the purpose.  a)  Regrind area: On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical hazards in that employees were required to walk and work next to a junction box without the cover exposing live electrical parts in the box.

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $22,000 · Current $11,110 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(2): Ladderway floor opening(s) or platform(s) were not guarded by a standard railing with standard toeboard(s) on all exposed sides (except at the entrance to opening) with passage through the railing either provided with a swinging gate or so offset that a person could walk directly into the opening:   a)  Injection Machine 33;  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed his employees to a 129" (10'-9") fall hazard in that employees were allowed to walk in a platform with an unguarded portion in front of the access ladder when performing tasks such as servicing the robot.   SCA, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.23(a)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 313852485, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 2/9/2010, with respect to a workplace located at Auburn AL.

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $33,000 · Current $16,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open sided floor(s) or platform(s) 4 feet or more above the adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded by standard railings (or the equivalent as specified in 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(3)(i) through (v)), on all open sides:  a)  Machine Mold:  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed his employees to a 67 inches (5'-7") fall hazard in that employees were allowed to work on top of the machine molds without a railing system when performing tasks such as installing and removing the I-bolts.  b)  Injection Machine 35;  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; employees were exposed to a fall hazard while servicing injection machine #35.  The platform located at 69 inches (5'-9") above the ground floor was not provided with a railing system when performing task such as drain material from the hopper.   c)  Injection Machine 33;  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; employees were exposed to a fall hazard while servicing injection machine #33.  The platform located at 129 inches (10'-9") above the ground floor was not provided with a railing midway between the top rail and the platform, and the top rail was approximately 29 inches above the platform.   SCA, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.23(c)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 313852485, citation number 1, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on 2/9/2010, with respect to a workplace located at Auburn AL.

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 10, 2015

Penalty

Initial $27,500 · Current $13,750 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.  a)  Mold Shop: On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior; the employer exposed his employees to compressed air hazards in that employees were permitted to use compressed air that was not reduced to less than 30 psi for cleaning and/or blow off themselves.     SCA, Inc was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.242(b), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 313852485, citation number 1, item number 5 and was affirmed as a final order on 2/2/10, with respect to a workplace located at Auburn AL.

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 10, 2015

Penalty

Initial $220 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed.  a)  Regrind area: On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical hazards in that employees were required to walk and work next to a junction box with unused openings that were not closed exposing live electrical parts in the box.  SCA, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.305(b)(1)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 315920033, citation number 2, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 11/16/2011 with respect to a workplace located at Auburn AL.

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 10, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(C): The energy control procedure did not clearly and specifically outline the steps for placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices or tagout devices and the responsibility for them:  a)  Injection molding machine LS ID1800 HM;  On or about October 8, 2014 and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to hazardous energies (including electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic) and struck-by and caught-in hazards in that the machine specific procedure did not outline the steps for placement, removal and transfer of lockout or tagout devices when maintenance performs repairs and mold changing on machines such as but not limited to the injection molding machine #35.