OSHA Inspection: GBW RAILCAR SERVICES, LLC

Issued

May 28, 2015

Abate by

Jul 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,800 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:  Employees working in building #2 were exposed to struck-by hazards from whipping action when working near and with Dixon King Air compressed air hoses.  The hose connection for the following locations were not provided with  safety retainer pins.  a) Near the high pressure tank unloading compressed air manifold. b) On the column between track #5 and track #6 in the welding area of building #2. c) On the side of the paint booth on track #2 in the wash bay of building #2.   Among one feasible and acceptable method of abatement would be to install at least one safety retainer pin at each connection as required by the manufacturer's instructions. "The use of an Air King safety clip or wire type retainer is necessary to ensure Air King universal couplings will not become accidentally disconnected. This guarantees the fittings are properly connected because the safety pin will not go through the holes in mating flanges until couplings are locked in place. Only one Air King safety clip or wire type retainer is required for each Air King universal coupling."

Issued

May 28, 2015

Abate by

Aug 26, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,200 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 fire and explosion hazards:   Employees working near the welding area of the south building were exposed to fire and explosion hazards in that the gasoline and diesel fuel tanks were not protected from vehicle damage.   Among one feasible and acceptable method of abatement would be to protect the tanks from vehicle collisions as described in National Fire Protection Association NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, 2008 Edition, Paragraph 22.15, Collision Protection for Aboveground Storage Tanks: "Where a tank is exposed to vehicular impact, protection shall be provided to prevent damage to the tank".

Issued

May 28, 2015

Abate by

Aug 26, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(b)(6): In locations where flammable vapors may be present, precautions were not taken to prevent ignition by eliminating or controlling sources of ignition.  Sources of ignition may include open flames, lightning, smoking, hot surfaces, frictional heat, sparks (static, electrical, and mechanical), spontaneous ignition, chemical and physical-chemical reactions, and radiant heat:   On or about December 11, 2014, employees working in the abrasive blast booth, railcar washout, and paint booth were exposed to fire and explosion hazards.  A 480 volt AC open element heater was located in the warming shed near track #2.

Issued

May 28, 2015

Abate by

Jul 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(f)(2)(ii): Rooms containing heating appliances involving sources of ignition shall be located and arranged to prevent entry of flammable vapors.     On or about December 11, 2014, employees warming up in the shed along Track #2 and next to the abrasive blast booth were exposed to fire and explosion hazards.  The following rooms were not constructed in a manner to prevent flammable vapors from entering:     a) Shed constructed next to the abrasive blast booth;   b) Main electrical room located at the north end of Track #2/Wash Bay;   c) Paint Supervisors office located next to Track #3/paint Booth

Issued

May 28, 2015

Abate by

Jul 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(b)(5)(i): There were no visible gauges(s), audible alarm(s) or pressure activated device(s) installed on paint spray booth(s) to indicate or ensure that the required air velocity was maintained:   Employees working in the paint booth were exposed to inhalation and skin injuries from Hempadur Mastic epoxy paints.  The magnahelic air flow detector had been painted over so that the detector could not be read.

Issued

May 28, 2015

Abate by

Jul 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(b)(9): A clear space of not less than 3 feet on all sides was not kept free from storage or combustible construction:  Employees working in and near the paint booth were exposed to fire hazards in that the wooden structure used to cover the area where the spray guns were cleaned was within 3 feet of the paint booth.

Issued

May 28, 2015

Abate by

Aug 26, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE):   On or about December 11, 2014, employees working performing railcar cleaning tasks were exposed to burn hazards in that flame resistant personal protective equipment was not provided to employees working with flammable vapors and liquids.

Issued

May 28, 2015

Abate by

Jul 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,200 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:      Employees working in building #2 performing welding, cutting, grinding, painting, and cleaning of railcars were exposed to electrical shock and fire hazards.  The following items were wired on site and used inappropriately:   a) A 480 volt AC open element portable electric heater was used to heat up the shed for the railcar wash out.  The open element heater was rewired so it could be plugged into a Class 1 Division 1 electrical connection;   b) A 480 volt AC open element portable electric heater was stored in the northwest corner of building #2 near the electrical panels. The open element heater was rewired so it could be plugged into a Class 1 Division 1 electrical connection;   c) A 480 volt AC open element heater was hard wired with a flexible cord to an electrical disconnect near the air compressors.

Issued

May 28, 2015

Abate by

Jul 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1): Conductors entering boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not protected from abrasions:   Employees working between tracks #5 and #6 were exposed to electrical shock and electrical fire hazards.  The 480 volt elbow connection to the welder outlet disconnect device was broken exposing energized electrical connections.

Issued

May 28, 2015

Abate by

Jul 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(b): Documentation for areas designated as hazardous (classified) locations under the Class and Zone system and areas designated under the Class and Division system established after August 13, 2007 was not available to those authorized to design, install, inspect, maintain, or operate electric equipment at the location:    On or about December 11, 2014, employees cleaning, painting, and abrasive blasting railcars were exposed to fire and explosion hazards.  The employer did not designate areas where electrical equipment of Class 1 Division 1 was required to be used.

Issued

May 28, 2015

Abate by

Jul 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c)(2)(i): Equipment in hazardous (classified) location(s) was not approved for the ignitable or combustible properties of the specific gas, vapor, dust, or fiber that was or could be present:   On or about December 11, 2014 employees performing railcar cleaning tasks were exposed to fire and explosion hazards.  Electrical equipment such as, but not limited to, the following were not rated for Class 1 Division 1 locations:   a) 480 volt AC open element electrical heater located in the shed next to the abrasive blast booth;  b) Halogen Lights mounted in the ceiling over Track #2/Wash Bay;  c) Fluorescent light fixtures mounted in the ceiling over Track #2/Wash Bay;  d) 220 volt AC Hotsy gas fired pressure washer located at the north end of Track #2/Wash Bay;  e) 220 volt AC Hotsy gas fired pressure washer located at the south end of Track #2/Wash Bay;  f) 220 volt AC Electrical disconnect for the Hotsy gas fired pressure washer located at the north end of Track #2/Wash Bay;  g) 220 volt AC Electrical disconnect for the Hotsy gas fired pressure washer located at the south end of Track #2/Wash Bay;  h)  120 volt AC outlet next to the Electrical disconnect for the Hotsy gas fired pressure washer located at the south end of Track #2/Wash Bay;  i) Lighting Breaker panel mounted on the north wall of the paint booth located at the north end of Track #2/Wash Bay;  j) 480 volt AC Ventilation control panel for the paint booth mounted on the wall of the main electrical room located at the north end of Track #2/Wash Bay;  k) 120 volt AC outlet mounted on the wall of the main electrical room located at the north end of Track #2/Wash Bay;  l) 480 volt AC disconnect and control panel for the abrasive dust collector located between Track #2 and Track #1 on the south wall.