OSHA Inspection: PANOLAM INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Issued

May 19, 2015

Abate by

Jun 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,100 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 a burn hazard caused by exposed hot oil pipes:  On or about November 20, 2014, employees were exposed to burn hazards when insulation or physical barriers were missing around the oil transport pipes where employees work or travel.  Temperatures were estimated to be 175 degree Fahrenheit and higher.   a. Pipes on the Hymmen line  b. Pipes on the Siepelkamp line  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

May 19, 2015

Abate by

Jun 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,800 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 struck-by hazards when the employees were not required to use seatbelts nor monitored to insure seatbelts were used:  On or about November 20, 2014, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards when employees were not required to use seatbelts while operating forklifts.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

May 19, 2015

Abate by

Jun 15, 2015

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(9): Every floor hole into which persons cannot accidentally walk (on account of fixed machinery, equipment or walls) was not protected by a cover that leaves no openings more than 1 inch wide.  The cover shall be securely held in place to prevent tools or materials from falling through:  On or about November 20, 2014, employees were exposed to fall hazards when the employees walked and worked near and over the holes in the floor that are under and around the Siempelkamp when working on the Siepelkamp production line.

Issued

May 19, 2015

Abate by

Jun 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,800 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) and toeboards:  On or about November 20, 2014, an employee was exposed to fall hazards when on the catwalks and platform to perform maintenance when there were guardrails on one side of the Siempelkamp catwalks and no guardrails on the Hymman platform. a.     White catwalk at Siempelkamp unload area was approximately 11 feet high.  Guardrails and toe boards were installed on the perimeter only. b.     Orange catwalk at Siepelkamp load area was approximately 11 feet high.  Guardrails and toe boards were installed on the perimeter only. c.     Blue platform on the back of the Hymman was approximately 6 1/2 feet high.  No guardrails or toe boards were installed.

Issued

May 19, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:  On or about November 20, 2014, employees were exposed to fire hazards when the exit door near the Hymman press was blocked with pallets.    No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.

Issued

May 19, 2015

Abate by

Aug 31, 2015

Penalty

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

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:    On or about November 20, 2014, employees were exposed to electrical, burn, and struck-by hazards when lockout/tagout procedures were not utilized by employees performing service or maintenance activities:  a.  procedures had not been given to or been seen by the employees performing service and maintenance activities on the equipment or production lines   b.  automated stacking equipment on the Hymmen line was not locked out when an employee leaned over the stacking area in order to place a board on the equipment so that it can be used as a dunnage board for the bundle   d.  automated trolleys are not locked out prior to employees entering the trolley path in order to get to the automated stacking equipment on the Hymmen line    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

May 19, 2015

Abate by

Jun 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $0 Reduced

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:    On or about November 20, 2014, employees were exposed to electrical, burn, and struck-by hazards when the lockout/tagout procedures did not have any instructions for lock removal and re-starting the equipment.  The equipment and production lines have energy sources such as, but not limited to, electricity, compressed air, steam, heat, natural gas, hydraulic pressure, and suspended weight.  Employees perform service and maintenance.

Issued

May 19, 2015

Abate by

Jun 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct an annual or more frequent inspection of the energy control procedure to ensure that the procedure and requirements of this standard were followed:    On or about November 20, 2014, employees were exposed to electrical, burn, and struck-by hazards when the lockout/tagout procedures had not been audited for at least five years.  Employees perform maintenance on equipment and production lines with energy sources such as, but not limited to, electricity, compressed air, steam, heat, natural gas, hydraulic pressure, and suspended weight.

Issued

May 19, 2015

Abate by

Jun 15, 2015

Penalty

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

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:  On or about November 20, 2014, employees were exposed to electrical and struck-by hazards when every employee doing maintenance on the equipment did not apply his/her own lock.  Employees perform maintenance on equipment and production lines with energy sources such as, but not limited to, electricity, compressed air, steam, heat, natural gas, hydraulic pressure, and suspended weight.  No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.

Issued

May 19, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,100 · Current $3,570 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(p)(1): Powered industrial truck(s) found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe had not been  taken out of service until restored to safe operating condition(s):  On or about November 20, 2014, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards when forklifts that needed repair were not taken out of service.  Forklifts were not taken out of service when the lights, horns, and seatbelts were broken.  Some items had been broken since March of 2014.  Forklifts were used to transport items such as, but not limited to, boards, paper, and production panels.  No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.

Issued

May 19, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,000 · Current $4,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7): Industrial trucks were not examined before being placed in service:  On or about November 20, 2014, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards when the forklifts were not inspected on a daily basis.   Forklifts were used to transport items such as, but not limited to, boards, paper, and production panels.

Issued

May 19, 2015

Abate by

Aug 31, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 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:  On or about November 20, 2014, employees were exposed to struck-by and caught-in hazards when the following were not guarded or were inadequately guarded and the employees walked or worked in the area: a.   Siempelkamp finished product automated panel stacker.   b.   Siempelkamp line exit conveyor from the press to the lighted stacker station.   c.   Automatic de-stacking equipment at the start to the Siempelkamp line.  d.   Trolley at the finished product end of the Hymmen line.   e.   Trolley at the panel load station on the Hymmen line. f.    Automated stacking equipment at the end of the Hymmen line  g.   Rollers pressing the paper to the panel on the front and back of the Hymmen line. h.   Powered rollers transporting panels (2 locations) on the Hymmen line.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

May 19, 2015

Abate by

Jun 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,800 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 November 20, 2014, employees were exposed to in-running nip point hazards when the pulley and belt on the Hymmen line was not guarded in an area where employees walk and work.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

May 19, 2015

Abate by

Jun 15, 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 November 20, 2014, employees working on the Hymmen line were exposed to a potential ingoing nip point hazards and/or injury resulting from belt breakage when the belt was not guarded.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

May 19, 2015

Abate by

Jun 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:  On or about November 20, 2014, employees were exposed to caught-in hazards when chains and sprockets were not guarded in an area where employees walk or work: a.     Exit conveyor on the Siempelkamp line b.     Entrance conveyor on the Siempelkamp line c.     Exit conveyor on the Hymmen line d.     Banding conveyor on the Hymmen line (multiple locations) e.     Hymmen line near back door of paper dispensing room f.      Siempelkamp line on the conveyor behind the guardrail near the lighted finish end of the line  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

May 19, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,550 · Current $1,785 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.:  On or about November 20, 2014, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards when effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment were not used when compressed air was used for cleaning purposes.  The sheeter air line pressure was 90 psi according to the regulator.  The air line was in the sheeter room and was used to clean up and blow debris from under the machine.     No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.

Issued

May 19, 2015

Abate by

Jun 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,100 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:  On or about November 20, 2014, employees were exposed to electrical hazards when the electrical outlet box on the side of the sheeter machine was missing its faceplate.  The outlet was used each time the Siempelkamp line ran.

Issued

May 19, 2015

Abate by

Jun 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief was provided that would prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws:  On or about November 20, 2014, employees were exposed to electrical hazards when the electrical cord to the fan under the sheeter was damaged near the plug.   There was electrical tape in two places on the 110 volt cord.  The cord was plugged into an outlet each time the Siempelkamp line ran.

Issued

May 19, 2015

Abate by

Jun 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8):   The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical, and did not ensure that they were readily accessible during each work  shift to employees when they were in their work area(s)  On or about November 20, 2014, the employer did not have a safety data sheet for propane used to power some of the forklifts in the MSDS book.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

May 19, 2015

Abate by

Jun 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  On or about November 20, 2014, the employer did not provide employees information on the location of the program and MSDS, or employee training for temporary employees.  Employees used chemicals such as, but not limited to, propane and mineral oil.