OSHA Inspection: KARL W. SCHMIDT & ASSOCIATES, INC.

Issued

Aug 7, 2015

Abate by

Sep 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,460 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.101(b):  Section 3.3.1, Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, as adopted by 29 CFR 1910.101(b): Compressed gas cylinder(s) should be stored in accordance with all local, state and municipal regulations and in accordance with appropriate standards of the Compressed Gas Association and the National Fire Protection Association.        (a)Karl W. Schmidt & Associates, Inc. at 3900 E 68th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022:  On and before February 13th, 2015, the employer did not ensure that compressed gas cylinders were secured in accordance with Section 3.3.1, of the Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965.  The following compressed cylinders were unsecured:     1.450-liter cylinder of compressed oxygen        2.450-liter cylinder of compressed nitrogen  3.Cylinder of compressed helium  4.Cylinder of compressed carbon dioxide  5.Cylinder of compressed nitrogen           This condition exposed employees to fire and struck-by hazards.    Abatement Note: NFPA-55-2005, National Fire Protection Association-55, Standard for the Storage, Use, and Handling of Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids in Portable and Stationary Containers, Cylinders and Tanks.  Section 7.1.4.4. "Compressed gas containers, cylinders and tanks in use or in storage shall be secured to prevent them from falling or being knocked over by corralling them and securing them to a cart, framework, or fixed object by use of a restraint.

Issued

Aug 7, 2015

Abate by

Sep 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,460 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(h)(12):  All areas used for spraying, including the interior of the booth, were not protected by automatic sprinklers or other approved automatic extinguishing equipment:      (a)Karl W. Schmidt & Associates, Inc. at 3900 E 68th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022:  On and before February 13th, 2015, the employer did not ensure the automatic sprinklers inside the Brinks spray booth were functioning, in that, the sprinklers located on the ceiling were inoperable due to being covered with tape and other material.  This condition exposed employees to fires during spray operations.

Issued

Aug 7, 2015

Abate by

Sep 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,460 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 132(d)(2):  The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification which included the requirements as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2):      (a)Karl W. Schmidt & Associates, Inc. at 3900 E 68th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022:  On and before February 13th, 2015 the employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed through a written certification which included and identified the following:      1.  The workplace evaluated;  2.  The person certifying that the evaluation had been performed;  3.  The date(s) of the hazard assessment; and,  4.  The document identified as a certification of the hazard assessment.      Abatement Note:  If hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer must comply with the following:      (1)  Select, and have each affected employee use the types of PPE that will protect the affected employees from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment;  (2)  Communicate selection decisions to each affected employee; and,   (3)  Select PPE that properly fits each affected employee.   (4)  The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.   (5)  Defective and damaged equipment shall not be used.   (6)  The employer shall provide training to each employee who is required by this section to use PPE.  Each such employee shall be trained to know at least the following:        (a)  When PPE is necessary;        (b)  What PPE is necessary;        (c)  How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE;        (d)  The limitations of the PPE.  (7)  Each affected employee shall demonstrate an understanding of the training specified above and the ability to use PPE properly before being allowed to perform work requiring the use of PPE.   (8)  When the employer has reason to believe that any affected employee who has already been trained does have the understanding and skill required to use the PPE the employer shall retrain the employee. Circumstances where retraining is required include, but are not limited to situations where:        (a)  Changes in the workplace render pervious training obsolete; or        (b)  Changes in the types of PPE to be used render previous training obsolete; or        (c)  Inadequacies in an affected employee's knowledge or use of assigned PPE indicate the employee has not retained the requisite understanding or skill.   (9)  The employer shall verify that each affected employee has received and understood the required training through a written certification that contains the name of each employee trained, the date(s) of training, and that identifies the subject of the certification.

Issued

Aug 7, 2015

Abate by

Sep 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.135(a)(1):  Each affected employee did not wear a protective helmet when working in areas where there was a potential head injury from falling objects:   (a)Karl W. Schmidt & Associates, Inc. at 3900 E 68th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022:  On and before February 13th, 2015 the employer did not ensure that employees wore head protection when they worked near and under elevated forks of industrial trucks.  Forklifts were used to lift conveyor belts 6 to 8 feet above the shop floor while employees drilled holes and installed hardware onto the other end of the belt which hung down from the forks.  This condition exposed employees to being crushed or struck-by belts that weighed up to 3,000 pounds.

Issued

Aug 7, 2015

Abate by

Sep 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,460 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1):  The employer did not establish a program consisting of energy control procedures and employee training to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, start up or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment would be isolated from the energy source, and rendered inoperative in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4):      (a)Karl W. Schmidt & Associates, Inc. at 3900 E 68th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022:  On and before February 13th, 2015, the employer did not establish a program consisting of energy control procedures and employee training to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, start up or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment would be isolated from the energy source, and rendered inoperative, including but not limited to the following:    1.Geka Hydracrop-100-SD ironworker  2.Komatsu 200-ton press brake  3.Marvel Mark II vertical band saw  4.Steelweld shear  5.400-ton press brake      Abatement Note:  As part of an energy-control program, employers must:      1)Establish energy-control procedures for removing the energy supply from machines and for putting appropriate lockout or tagout devices on the energy-isolating devices to prevent unexpected re-energization. When appropriate, the procedure also must address stored or potentially re-accumulated energy.      2)Train employees on the energy-control program, including the safe application, use, and removal of energy controls; and      3)Inspect these procedures periodically (at least annually) to ensure that they are being followed and that they remain effective in preventing employee exposure to hazardous energy.     The energy-control procedures must outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques that employees will use to control hazardous energy sources, as well as the means that will be used to enforce compliance. These procedures must provide employees at least the following information:      1)A statement on how to use the procedures;      2)Specific procedural steps to shut down, isolate, block, and secure machines;      3)Specific steps designating the safe placement, removal, and transfer of lockout/tagout devices and identifying who has responsibility for the lockout/tagout devices; and      4)Specific requirements for testing machines to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy-control measures.

Issued

Aug 7, 2015

Abate by

Sep 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i):  The employer did not provide adequate training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program was understood by employees, and to ensure that employees acquired the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage and removal of energy control devices:      (a)Karl W. Schmidt & Associates, Inc. at 3900 E 68th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022:  On and before February 13th, 2015 the employer did not provide adequate training to ensure that employees acquired the knowledge and skills necessary for the safe application, usage and removal of energy control devices including, but not limited to the following machines or equipment:      1.Geka Hydracrop-100-SD ironworker  2.Komatsu 200-ton press brake  3.Marvel Mark II vertical band saw  4.Steelweld shear  5.400-ton press brake      Abatement Note:  The training shall include the following:      1)Each authorized employee shall 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 and control.      2)Each affected employee shall be instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure.      3)All other employees whose work operations are or may be in an area where energy control procedures may be utilized, shall be instructed about the procedure, and about the prohibition relating to attempts to restart or re-energize machines or equipment which are locked out or tagged out.

Issued

Aug 7, 2015

Abate by

Sep 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,460 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6):  The employer did not certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated in the safe operation of the forklifts in the workplace:      (a)Karl W. Schmidt & Associates, Inc. at 3900 E 68th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022:  On and before February 13th, 2015, the employer did not certify that the forklift operator had been trained and evaluated as required by 29 CFR 1910.178(l) in the topics as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.178(l)(3).  Employees operate two Clark model GPX30s.  This condition exposed employees to improper forklift operation and struck-by hazards.      Abatement Note:  The certification shall include:      (1)  The name of the operator;  (2)  The date of the training;  (3)  The date of the evaluation; and,   (4)  The identity of the person(s) performing the training and evaluation.      Abatement Note:  Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.

Issued

Aug 7, 2015

Abate by

Oct 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(m)(2):  No person shall be allowed to stand or pass under the elevated portion of any truck, whether loaded or empty.    (a)Karl W. Schmidt & Associates, Inc. at 3900 E 68th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022:  On February 12th, 2015 the employer allowed employees to work under elevated forks of an industrial truck that was loaded with one end of a folded conveyor belt.  The forklift was used to lift a belt above the shop floor.  An employee was fatally injured after the load displaced from the forks and fell to the shop floor, thus crushing the employee who was working beneath the load.  This condition exposed employees to being crushed by a belt that weighed up to 3,000 pounds.     (b)Karl W. Schmidt & Associates, Inc. at 3900 E 68th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022:  On or before February 13th, 2015 the employer allowed employees to work under elevated forks on industrial trucks that were loaded with conveyor belts.  Forklifts were used to lift belts 6 to 8 feet above the shop floor while employees drilled holes and installed hardware onto the other end of the belts which hung down from the forks.  This condition exposed employees to being crushed by loads that weighed up to 3,000 pounds.

Issued

Aug 7, 2015

Abate by

Sep 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,460 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7):  The employer did not examine industrial trucks at least daily before being placed in service for conditions adversely affecting the safety of the vehicle:       (a)Karl W. Schmidt & Associates, Inc. at 3900 E 68th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022:  On and before February 13th, 2015 the employer did not ensure powered industrial trucks were examined at least daily, in that, the seatbelt installed on the Clark model GPX30, serial number GPX230-16057170, was inoperable due to damage and missing parts.  This condition exposed employees to hazard of operating the forklift without an operable seatbelt.

Issued

Aug 7, 2015

Abate by

Sep 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(a)(6):  The employer did not ensure that all nameplates and markings are in place and are maintained in a legible condition:      (a)Karl W. Schmidt & Associates, Inc. at 3900 E 68th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022:  On and before February 13th, 2015, the employer did not ensure the nameplate on the Clark model GPX30, serial number GPX230-10437600, was legible, in that the nameplate was damaged.  Operators could not reference important manufacturer information such as load capacity, max lifting height and operating weights.  This condition exposed employees to unsafe forklift operations.

Issued

Aug 7, 2015

Abate by

Sep 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(c)(6):  Slings were not securely attached to their load:    (a)Karl W. Schmidt & Associates, Inc. at 3900 E 68th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022:  On February 12th, 2015 the employer did not ensure that the two 80-grade alloy steel chains that were connected to the conveyor belt and the forklift carriage on the Clark model GPX30 forklift, serial number GPX230-16057170, were secured.  The belt was placed on the forks of the industrial truck and was lifted above the shop floor.  An employee was fatally injured after the load displaced from the forks and fell to the shop floor, thus crushing the employee who was working beneath the load.  This condition exposed employees to being crushed by a belt that weighed up to 3,000 pounds.

Issued

Aug 7, 2015

Abate by

Sep 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,600

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(e)(3)(ii):  Records of the most recent month in which each alloy steel chain sling was thoroughly inspected were not available for examination:    (a)Karl W. Schmidt & Associates, Inc. at 3900 E 68th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022:  On and before February 13th, 2015 the employer did not provide inspection records for two 80-grade alloy steel chains used to secure sections of conveyor belts to the fork carriages on industrial trucks.  This condition exposed employees to struck-by hazards caused by chain failure.

Issued

Aug 7, 2015

Abate by

Sep 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,460 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii):  Point(s) of operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s):      (a)Karl W. Schmidt & Associates, Inc. at 3900 E 68th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022:  On and before February 13th, 2015 the employer did not ensure the point of operation of the punch function on the Geka Hydracrop-100-SD ironworker was properly guarded to prevent employees from having any part of the their body in the danger zone during operation.  This hazard exposed the employees to an amputation hazard.      (b)Karl W. Schmidt & Associates, Inc. at 3900 E 68th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022:  On and before February 13th, 2015 the employer did not ensure the point of operations on the 400-ton hydraulic power press was properly guarded to prevent employees from having any part of the their body in the danger zone during operation.  This hazard exposed the employees to an amputation hazard.      Abatement Note:  Press brake safeguarding can be accomplished by using one of the following:      (a)   Presence Sensing Device - Designed to automatically stop the machine when the sensing field is interrupted.  (b)  Two-Hand Control Device - Designed to keep the operators hands away from the point of operation by requiring two hands to engage the machine.  (c)   Pullback Device - Designed to pull the operator's hands away from the area of the closing dies during each stroke of the press.  (d)  Restraint Device - Designed and adjusted so that the operator can never reach the point of operation.    Note:  Safeguarding by maintaining a "safe distance" is acceptable only when safeguarding by physical barrier or devices is not feasible and the employer demonstrates that power press brake point of operation guarding by maintaining a safe distance is limited to one-time only fabrication of made-to-order or custom-made piece parts.  Small quantity runs, typically performed in job shop or model shop establishments may be affected by this provision; high volume piece part rates of production will not.  A "small quantity run" means fabrication of more than one of the same piece parts over a continuous time frame of no more than four hours per month.     Note:  Two-hand control, as a point of operation safeguarding device for press brakes, is ideal for short-run job-shop operations. Piece parts can vary from quite small to very large.  The steps are as follows:  Step 1 - By depressing the control buttons, the operator initiates the press brake stroke.   Step 2 - The operator must hold the buttons until the slide completes its downward travel.  If the operator removes a hand from one of the controls, the slide will stop.  In the single stroke or Hi/Lo mode, the slide will make one complete stroke.   Step 3 - In the sequence mode, the slide will automatically stop at a preset position 1/4" or less above the work piece.  This position is adjustable for different feed-line heights or material thickness.   Step 4 - If the work piece is not already placed in the die, it may be inserted at this time. Step 5 - The two-hand control or the foot switch is now re-initiated, causing the slide to continue through the bottom of the stroke and finishing at top dead center (TDC).

Issued

Aug 7, 2015

Abate by

Sep 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,460 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(5):  The angular exposure of grinding wheel periphery and sides for safety guards used on surface grinding machine(s) employing the wheel periphery exceeded 150 degrees:      (a)Karl W. Schmidt & Associates, Inc. at 3900 E 68th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022:  On and before February 13th, 2015 the employer did not ensure that a guard was installed on the Makita 7-inch angle grinder used in the pit area of the facility.  This condition exposed employees to the hazard of being struck by shrapnel in the event of a grinding wheel failure.