OSHA Inspection: INDEPENDENCE TUBE CORP. INC.

Issued

Aug 13, 2015

Abate by

Feb 21, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,000 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 platform railing that would prevent employees from gaining access to the accumulator top railing was at 41 inches and there was no mid-rail. This exposed employees to a fall hazard greater then 4ft into the revolving metal accumulator.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Aug 13, 2015

Abate by

Sep 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $5,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii):     The procedures shall clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, the following:

Issued

Aug 13, 2015

Abate by

Feb 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,000 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.    The employer failed to provide methods of machine guarding that would protect employees while operating the following equipment:    a. 5K Tube Mill Machine- The tube mill did not have guarding preventing employees from placing their hands or fingers in the in-running nip points when the tubing is being formed. Employees were exposed to inadvertent contact with moving rolls and associated equipment that could most likely result in amputation.    b. 5K Coil Transfer Cart- There were no guards or other prevent measures to prevent employees from being struck by and caught between the cart when it moved. Employees were exposed to struck by and crushing hazards.    c. 5K Cutoff Machine & Pullout- The automatic cutoff saw did not have guarding to prevent an employee from entering the work area when the machine was in operation. Employees were exposed to inadvertent struck by hazards.    d. 12K Tube Milling Machine- The tube mill did not have guarding preventing employees from placing their hands or fingers in the in-running nip points when the tubing is being formed. Employees were exposed to inadvertent contact with moving rolls and associated equipment that could most likely result in amputation    e. 12K Kusakabe Milling Cutoff Machine & Pullout- The automatic saw moves independently from employee interaction, it did not have an effective guarding to prevent employees from gaining access to danger zone when the saw was in operation. Exposing employees to a struck-by hazard.    f. 12K Mill Bundle Transfer Conveyor- Employees are required to work inside of the conveyor line with no means of controlling the movement of the product. While employees were banding the tubes, there were no safeguarding devices or guards that would prevent the movement of material from striking/crushing employees while standing in the danger zone.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).