OSHA Inspection: RHODES MANUFACTURING

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-06-11 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $2100.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level shall be 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. The railing shall be provided with a toeboard wherever, beneath the open sides,    a. Located at Rhodes Manufacturing, employees gained access to the top of 210 barrel crude oil storage tanks in order to fill fitting openings with rags as part of the purging process for hot work without any means of fall protection, thereby exposing the employees to a fall hazard of approximately 15 feet.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-05-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $2100.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(e)(1): A standard railing shall consist of top rail, intermediate rail, and posts, and shall have a vertical height of 42 inches nominal from upper surface of top rail to floor, platform, runway, or ramp level. The top rail shall be smooth-surfaced throughout the length of the railing. The intermediate rail shall be approximately halfway between the top rail and the floor, platform, runway, or ramp. The ends of the rails shall not overhang the terminal posts except where such overhang does not constitute a projection hazard.  a.  Located at Rhodes Manufacturing, employees operated a submerged arc welder for continuous welding on newly fabricated crude oil storage tanks from a platform that was not equipped with a mid rail, thereby exposing the employees to a fall hazard of 14 feet.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-05-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1680.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.  a.  Located in the Quonset hut at Rhodes Manufacturing, employees performed grinding operations on metal material without the use of appropriate eye and face protection for the work being performed, thereby exposing the employees to flying metal hazards.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-07-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $2100.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1): The employer shall evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces are permit-required confined spaces.   NOTE: Proper application of the decision flow chart in Appendix A to section 1910.146 would facilitate compliance with this requirement.    a.  On or about November 6, 2014, located in the fabrication shop, the employer did not evaluate the crude oil storage tanks for hazards before employees entered the permit-required confined spaces to perform welding operations, thereby exposing the employees to the hazards associated with working in a confined space.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-06-11 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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.  On or about November 6, 2014, located in the fabrication shop, the employer did not develop and implement a written permit space program for the employees that were required to weld in the permit-required confined spaces, thereby exposing the employees to a hazardous atmosphere and/or a serious injury.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-06-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(g)(1): The employer shall provide training so that all employees whose work is regulated by this section acquire the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned under this section.    a.  On or about November 6, 2014, located in the fabrication shop, the employer did not ensure employees who entered crude oil storage tanks had the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary while performing welding operations in a confined space.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-05-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $2100.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(m)(5)(iii): When the operator of an industrial truck is dismounted and within 25 ft. of the truck still in his view, the load engaging means shall be fully lowered, controls neutralized, and the brakes set to prevent movement.  a.  Located in the Quonset hut at Rhodes Manufacturing, employees perform welding and metal grinding operations on tank bottoms that were resting on a Toyota forklift's elevated forks while there was no operator at the forklift's controls, thereby exposing the employees to a struck-by and/or caught-between hazard.   b.  Located in the Quonset hut at Rhodes Manufacturing, employees perform welding and metal grinding operations on tank bottoms that were resting on a Hyster forklift's elevated forks while there was no operator at the forklift's controls, thereby exposing the employees to a struck-by and/or caught-between hazard.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-05-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $2100.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be 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. Examples of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices,electronic safety devices, etc.  a. On or about November 6, 2014, located in the fabrication shop at Rhodes Manufacturing, employees operated a Piranha ironworker that did not have adequate guarding in order to prevent the employees from a serious injury from the point of operation and/or from flying parts.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-05-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $2100.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): The point of operation of machines whose operation exposes an employee to injury, shall be guarded. The guarding device shall be in conformity with any appropriate standards therefor, or, in the absence of applicable specific standards, shall be so designed and constructed as to prevent the operator from having any part of his body in the danger zone during the operating cycle.  a.  On or about November 6, 2014, located in the Quonset hut, employees operated a Hercules shear that had its manufactured barrier guard propped open with a piece of wood leaving the point of operation open exposing the employees to an amputation hazard.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-05-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1680.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(b): Anchoring fixed machinery. Machines designed for a fixed location shall be securely anchored to prevent walking or moving.   a.  On or about November 6, 2014, located in the back of the fabrication shop, there was an Enco Bench grinder, model number 89035, serial number 0316 that was designed for a fixed location, but was not secured thereby exposing the employees to a serious injury from the grinder walking, tipping, etc.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-05-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4): Work rests. On offhand grinding machines, work rests shall be used to support the work. They shall be of rigid construction and designed to be adjustable to compensate for wheel wear. Work rests shall be kept adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one-eighth inch to prevent the work from being jammed between the wheel and the rest, which may cause wheel breakage. The work rest shall be securely clamped after each adjustment. The adjustment shall not be made with the wheel in motion.  a.  On or about November 6, 2014, located in the back of the fabrication shop, there was an Enco Bench grinder, model number 89035, serial number 0316 that had a distance greater than one-eighth inch from the grinding wheel to the work rest, thereby exposing the employees to a serious injury to the hands.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-05-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9): Exposure adjustment. Safety guards of the types described in Subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this paragraph, where the operator stands in front of the opening, shall be constructed so that the peripheral protecting member can be adjusted to the constantly decreasing diameter of the wheel. The maximum angular exposure above the horizontal plane of the wheel spindle as specified in paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this section shall never be exceeded, and the distance between the wheel periphery and the adjustable tongue or the end of the peripheral member at the top shall never exceed one-fourth inch. (See Figures O-18, O-19, O-20, O-21, O-22, and O-23.)  a.  On or about November 6, 2014, located in the back of the fabrication shop, there was an Enco Bench grinder, model number 89035, serial number 0316 that did not have an adjustable tongue guard installed, thereby exposing the employee to flying grinding wheel material if the grinding wheel were to explode.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-05-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4200.00 · Current $2520.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.243(c)(1): General requirements. Abrasive wheels shall be used only on machine provided with safety guards as defined in paragraph (c) (1) through (4) of this section.  a.  On or about November 6, 2014, located in the Quonset hut, an employee was grinding with a 4-1/2 inch Dewalt angle grinder, model number D28402, serial number 141784, that did not have a guard installed over its grinding wheel, thereby exposing the employee to a struck-by hazard if the grinding wheel were to explode.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-06-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $2100.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(a)(3)(i): Used containers. No welding, cutting, or other hot work shall be performed on used drums, barrels, tanks or other containers until they have been cleaned so thoroughly as to make absolutely certain that there are no flammable materials present or any substances such as greases, tars, acids, or other materials which when subjected to heat, might produce flammable or toxic vapors. Any pipe lines or connections to the drum or vessel shall be disconnected or blanked.    a.  On or about November 6, 2014, located in the tank yard at Rhodes Manufacturing, employees performed welding and cutting on used crude oil storage tanks that had not been so thoroughly cleaned as to make absolutely certain that there were no flammable materials present or any substances such as greases, tars, acids, or other materials which when subjected to heat, which would produce flammable vapors.  The employer failed to utilize a system, i.e. flammable gas detector with an oxygen analyzer that would ensure that the oxygen and flammable levels were displaced and essentially zero.  The employees were exposed to an explosion hazard by not ensuring that the atmosphere in the tanks was safe for hot work to commence.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-05-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1680.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(b)(2)(iii): Protection from arc welding rays. Where the work permits, the welder should be enclosed in an individual booth painted with a finish of low reflectivity such as zinc oxide (an important factor for absorbing ultraviolet radiations) and lamp black, or shall be enclosed with noncombustible screens similarly painted. Booths and screens shall permit circulation of air at floor level. Workers or other persons adjacent to the welding areas shall be protected from the rays by noncombustible or flameproof screens or shields or shall be required to wear appropriate goggles.  a.  On or about November 6, 2014, located in the Quonset hut, employees were performing welding on the bottoms of storage tanks in an area where forklift and employee traffic was located.  The employees working or walking through the Quonset hut were not protected from the welding arc rays by means of a screen or shield, thereby exposing the employees to arc flash hazards or a struck-by hazard while the employees were operating the forklifts.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-05-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4900.00 · Current $2940.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i): Except as elsewhere required or permitted by this standard, live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more shall be guarded against accidentalcontact by use of approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures or by any of the following means:  a.  On or about November 6, 2014, located in the Quonset hut, employees operated a Hercules shear with a foot pedal control by using their hand to press the pedal.  The foot pedal did not have its protective cover, thereby exposing the employees to an electrical shock hazard of 110 volts.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-05-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2): If the workplace contains permit spaces, the employer shall inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces.  NOTE: A sign reading DANGER -- PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER or using other similar language would satisfy the requirement for a sign.  a. On or about November 6, 2014, located in the fabrication shop, there were openings in the side of crude oil storage tanks that made access to the confined space available to employees without any posting of a sign that would alert employees of the permit-required confined space and the hazards associated with entering the tanks.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-05-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(2)(ii): Inside of buildings, cylinders shall be stored in a well-protected, well-ventilated, dry location, at least 20 (6.1 m) feet from highly combustible materials such as oil or excelsior. Cylinders should be stored in definitely assigned places away from elevators, stairs, or gangways. Assigned storage spaces shall be located where cylinders will not be knocked over or damaged by passing or falling objects, or subject to tampering by unauthorized persons. Cylinders shall not be kept in unventilated enclosures such as lockers and cupboards.  a.  On or about November 6, 2014, located in the Quonset hut, employees had a designated storage area for the oxygen, acetylene, and propane cylinders.  The employer did not ensure that the were at least 20 feet apart nor did the employer secure the cylinders to ensure they would not be knocked over.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-05-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(2)(iv): Valve protection caps, where cylinder is designed to accept a cap, shall always be in place, hand-tight, except when cylinders are in use or connected for use.  a.  On or about November 6, 2014, located in the Quonset hut, the employer did not ensure two acetylene cylinders in storage that were designed to accept a valve protection cap had a cap secured to its cylinder.

Issued

2015-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-05-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(i): Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings shall be protected from abrasion, and openings through which conductors enter shall be effectively closed.  a.  On or about November 6, 2014, located in the Quonset hut, the employer did not ensure that a conductor was protected from abrasion as it went into an electrical panel box that supplied a Hercules shear with 230 volts of electricity.