OSHA Inspection: D. R. DIEDRICH & CO., LTD.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Sep 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,410 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(a)(5): If the truck is equipped with front-end attachments other than factory installed attachments, the user shall request that the truck be marked to identify the attachments and show the approximate weight of the truck and attachment combination at maximum elevation with load laterally centered.     (a) The employer did not ensure that the forklift(s) that use a front-end attachment for handling and loading salt into inclined drum mixers is marked to identify the attachment, show the weight of the truck and attachment combination, and show the capacity of the truck with attachment at maximum elevation with the load laterally centered.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Aug 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $3,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(7): Every temporary floor opening did not have standard railings, or was not constantly attended by someone.     (a) Wastewater Treatment Lime Tank Floor Area:  Employee(s) were exposed to a four inch by thirteen inch (4"x13") floor opening that was not guarded to prevent employees from walking into or falling through the floor opening.    (b) Wastewater Treatment Lime Tank Floor Area:  Employee(s) were exposed to a 4 inch by sixteen inch (4"x16") floor opening that was not guarded to prevent employees from walking into or falling through the floor opening.    (c) Wastewater Treatment Walkway Entry Into Lime Tank Floor Area:  Employee(s) were exposed to a nine inch by twenty four inch (9"x24") floor opening that was not guarded to prevent employees from walking into or falling through the floor opening.    (d) Wastewater Treatment Elevated Walkway next to steps leading up to chrome treatment tanks:  Employee(s) were exposed to a twelve inch by nineteen inch (12"x19") floor opening that was not guarded to prevent employees from walking into or falling through the floor opening.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Aug 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,410 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open-sided floor(s) or platform(s) 4 feet (1.22 m) 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) Employee(s) accessing the top of the waste chrome holding tank to clean the skimmer filter screen were exposed to an 8 foot fall hazard.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Aug 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(3): Regardless of height, open-sided floors, walkways, platforms, or runways above or adjacent to dangerous equipment, pickling or galvanizing tanks, degreasing units, and similar hazards were not guarded with a standard railing and toe board.  (a) Employee(s) access the work platform around the chrome filter presses to check on filter press operations and movement of recovered pressed chrome blocks from the filters into the grinding unit.  The 42 inch by nine (9) foot long opening from the platform to the discharge shoot exposes employees to a potential 5 foot fall into the grinding unit below.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Aug 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $3,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(6): At least annually after obtaining the baseline audiogram, the employer did not obtain a new audiogram for each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels :    (a) The employee working in the A Room mixers was exposed to noise at 87.8 decibels (74.5 percent dose) measured on the A scale, exceeding the time-weighted average of 85 decibels measured on the A scale. The sample was taken on February 27, 2015 during a 457 minute sampling period. The employee did not receive an audiogram since October 2013.     (b) The employee working in the B Room mixers and splitting was exposed to noise at 89.3 decibels (91.09 percent dose) measured on the A scale, exceeding the time-weighted average of 85 decibels measured on the A scale. The sample was taken on February 27, 2015 during a 447 minute sampling period. The employee did not receive an audiogram since October 2013.    (c) The employee working in the wringer room and dog bone mixing area was exposed to noise at 88.7 decibels (84.10 percent dose) measured on the A scale, exceeding the time-weighted average of 85 decibels measured on the A scale. The sample was taken on February 27, 2015 during a 480 minute sampling period. The employee did not receive an audiogram since October 2013.    (d) The employee working in the lime flesher area was exposed to noise at 90.1 decibels (101 percent dose) measured on the A scale, exceeding the time-weighted average of 85 decibels measured on the A scale. The sample was taken on February 27, 2015 during a 447 minute sampling period. The employee did not receive an audiogram since October 2013.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,295 · Current $1,607 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.101(b): The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, rail tankcars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks were not in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in CFR 1910.6:    (a) A cylinder of compressed tri-mix welding gas was not securely stored to prevent it from tipping and falling over. The cylinder of tri-mix welding gas was sitting in an upright position in snow and against the exterior of the compressed gas cylinder storage cage.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Aug 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,410 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): The employer did not ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator was fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter:    (a)  On or about February 2, 2015 the employer had not performed annual fit testing for employees required to wear half mask negative pressure respirators prior to working with chemicals such as, but not limited to, sulfuric acid, sodium hydrosulfide and chromosal B.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Sep 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,410 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1): The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces:     (a) The employer did not include the B-Room mixer chrome recirculation tanks to determine if they were permit-required confined spaces.     (b) The employer did not include the chrome recovery process tanks to determine if they were permit-required confined spaces.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Sep 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2): The employer did not 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:  (a) Employees were not informed of permit required confined spaces by posting danger signs on B-Room drum mixer chrome recirculation tanks, exposing employees to confined space hazards. NOTE: A sign reading DANGER-PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER or using other similar language would satisfy the requirement for a sign.  (b) Employees were not informed of permit required confined spaces by posting danger signs on chrome recovery process tanks, exposing employees to confined space hazards. NOTE: A sign reading DANGER-PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER or using other similar language would satisfy the requirement for a sign.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Sep 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,410 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(2): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not identify and evaluate the hazards of permit spaces before employees entered:    (a) The employer did not identify potential atmospheric hazards of the B-Room drum mixer chrome recirculation tanks, before allowing employees to enter into the chrome tanks on February 5th, 2015.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Sep 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(B): The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy.    (a) The energy control procedure for the Rizzi Hide Fleshing machine did not account for the gravitational energy presented by the 1500 pound shaving roller.    (b) The energy control procedure for the Stehling Green Fleshing Machine did not account for the gravitational energy presented by machine rollers.    (c) The energy control procedure for the Flamar Fleshing Machine did not account for the gravitational energy presented by machine rollers.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Aug 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,410 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed:     (a) An annual/periodic inspection of the energy control procedures has not been conducted for, but not limited to Rizzi Lime Flesher, Stehling Green Flesher, Flamar Lime Flesher, Wringers, Canbar Drum Mixers, Splitter Machines, wastewater treatment process and chrome recovery process to ensure that procedures and requirements of the standard are being followed and that employees who implement energy control procedures understand their application.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Sep 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,410 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Authorized employee(s) did not receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation:     (a) Training was not provided to authorized maintenance personnel in the recognition of hazardous energy sources, the type of energy sources and practices and methods required to safely deenergize machines/equipment, including but not limited to the Rizzi Hide Fleshing Machine, Stehling Green Fleshing Machine and Flamar Fleshing Machine.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Aug 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,410 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) Flamar Fleshing Machine: The belt conveyor used to transport hides into collection bin did not have the front discharge end of the conveyor guarded from in-going nip points created by the belt and rollers, exposing the attending employee(s) to a caught-in and amputation hazard.    (b) Rizzi Fleshing Machine: The belt conveyor used to transport hides into collection bin did not have the front discharge end of the conveyor guarded from in-going nip points created by the belt and rollers, exposing the attending employee(s) to a caught-in and amputation hazard.    (c) Rizzi Fleshing Machine: The screw conveyor used transport hide flesh material to a collection bin did not have the front discharge end of the conveyor guarded from ingoing nip-points created by the screw auger and the conveyor trough, exposing the attending employee(s) to a caught-in and amputation hazard.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Aug 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,410 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(a)(1)(i): Metal raceways, cable trays, cable armor, cable sheath, enclosures, frames, fittings, and noncurrent-carrying parts that are to serve as grounding conductors, with or without the use of supplementary equipment grounding conductors, were not effectively bonded where necessary to ensure electrical continuity and did not have the capacity to conduct safely any fault current likely to have been imposed on them:    a) Wastewater Treatment Plant Area: Raceway conduit carrying electrical wiring from the Master Wastewater Treatment electrical panel box to a T junction box was broken away from the connection at the panel box and at the entry point into and out of the T junction box, affecting the electrical continuity to safely conduct fault current placed on the electrical system. This exposed electrical wiring carrying 120 volt, 220 volt and 480 volt AC conductors to inadvertent contact, exposing employees to electrical shock hazard.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Aug 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,410 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(i): Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not protected from abrasions:    (a) Wastewater Treatment:  Flexible electrical cable for a 208 volt pendant box outlet was wired into electrical Panel Box 22 by running the cable under the dead front panel and between the electrical box frame subjecting the cable to abrasion and pinching damage. This exposed employees to an electrical shock hazard.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,410 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(B): 29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)B: Unless specifically permitted otherwise in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section, flexible cords and cables may not be used to run through holes in walls, ceilings, or floors:    a)  Wastewater Treatment Plant Area: A 480 volt electrical cable supplying power to a Fostoria electric heater was strung through a rough metal corrugated wall hole and across approximately 20 feet of pipe support brackets into lime tank electrical control panel box.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Aug 5, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(ii): Flexible cords were not used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap:  (a) Chrome Recovery Process - Third Process Right Side Acid Tank: On or about February 27th, 2015 flexible electrical cords providing power to the float control level switch were spliced together using wire nut connectors and black electrical tape, exposing employees to an electrical shock hazard.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Aug 5, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords were not connected to devices and fittings so that tension would not be transmitted to joints or terminal screws:  (a) Mixer Room B - Chrome Tank 12B: The electrical cable to the degreaser motor disconnect box was broken away at the threaded connection fitting exposing the electrical wiring, and was abraded on the opposite side of the threaded connector exposing the electrical conductors and affecting the electrical continuity. This exposed employees to an electrical shock hazard.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Sep 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,410 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.332(b)(1): Employees were not trained in and familiar with the safety-related work practices required by 1910.331 through 1910.335 that pertained to their respective job assignments:     (a) On or about February 10, 2015, employee(s) performing trouble shooting on hide Wringer machine #2 were not trained to assess the arc flash and shock hazard level of the electrical equipment being worked on.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Sep 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,410 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.333(a): Safety-related work practices were not employed to prevent electric shock or other injuries resulting from either direct or indirect electrical contacts, when work was performed near or on equipment or circuits which were or could be energized:     (a) Wringer #2 Main Disconnect: On or about February 11, 2015 maintenance employee(s) did not employ electrical safety-related work practices when conducting continuity tests on 110 volt switch and 50 amp fuses of 480 volt supply.     (b) Maintenance employees routinely perform maintenance on electrical equipment, such as lighting ballasts, electrical disconnect fuses, electrical switches and electrical disconnects in A, B and C production areas without employing electrical-safety related work practices when conducting trouble shooting or verification of deenergized electrical circuits.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Sep 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.333(b)(2): While an employee was exposed to contact with parts of fixed electric equipment or circuits which were deenergized, the circuits energizing the parts were not locked out or tagged or both in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph (b) of 29 CFR 1910.333(b)(2):  (a) On or about February 10, 2015 maintenance employees conducted electrical trouble shooting on wringer number two (2) main disconnect to verify fuse continuity. Employees did not lockout the main disconnect isolating device while conducting the continuity tests, exposing employees to an electrical shock and arc flash hazard.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Sep 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,410 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i): Employees working in areas where there were potential electrical hazards were not using electrical protective equipment that was appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed:    (a) On or about February 10, 2015, employee(s) performing electrical continuity measurements on a 480 disconnect "Wringer Main Disconnect" and electrical panel housing a 110 volt AC switch "Wringer #2" did not use personal protective equipment, such as, but not limited to arc rated apparel, faceshield, and voltage-rated gloves to protect against arc flash hazards and electrical shock hazards.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Sep 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(2)(ii): Protective shields, protective barriers, or insulating materials were not used to protect each employee from shock, burns, or other electrically related injuries while that employee is working near exposed energized parts which might be accidentally contacted or where dangerous electric heating or arcing might occur. When normally enclosed live parts are exposed for maintenance or repair, they shall be guarded to protect unqualified persons from contact with the live parts.  (a) On or about February 10, 2015, the employer had no insulating protective equipment in use while employee(s) performed electrical continuity testing on a 480 disconnect "Wringer Main Disconnect" and electrical panel housing a 110 volt AC switch "Wringer #2", such as barriers or shielding in place to protect employees from arcing faults and electrical shock hazard when trouble shooting electrical circuitry and replacing fuses.

Issued

Jul 30, 2015

Abate by

Aug 5, 2015

Penalty

Initial $63,000 · Current $44,453 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:    (a) On or about February 1, 2015: All maintenance employees performing maintenance and repair work on the Rizzi Hide Fleshing machine did not apply a personal lock on the electrical circuit breaker locking device, exposing employees to hazardous energy sources.