OSHA Inspection: MAGNEGAS CORPORATION

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Nov 2, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,900

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which was 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 caused by an explosion of flammable gases:   a. At the facility, employees were exposed to an explosion hazard during maintenance activities of the Magnegas processes, while opening process equipment, filling cylinders, transporting cylinders, tipping and draining cylinders.   The employer did not assure that the following was conducted:   1. Training employees in the hazards of flammable and explosive atmospheres and the proper procedures for eliminating such hazards prior to beginning work and during work activities;    2. The use of non-sparking tools such as impact tools, wrenches and other hand tools;   3. The use of static control shoe straps or the purchase of static dissipating shoes;   4. Provide visual and audible warning alarms in the event an explosive atmosphere was approached;   5. Assure that all process areas, cylinder handling and storage areas are non-smoking.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,900

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment including protective clothing was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:   a. At the site, employees handling Magnegas cylinders, during cylinder tipping and draining operations, who were exposed to potential flash fires, were not required to wear clothing which was flame retardant such as 100% cotton or wool, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,380 · Current $2,380

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2): Portable fire extinguishers were not visually inspected at least monthly:  a. At the site, employees were exposed to fire hazards, in that, portable fire extinguishers were not inspected monthly as required to assure that they are readily available in the event of an incipient stage fire, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,900

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(c)(2)(iii): Only approved power-operated industrial trucks designated as EX were not used in atmospheres containing any of the chemicals referenced in this section in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures, and where such concentrations of these gases or vapors exist continuously, intermittently or periodically under normal operating conditions or may exist frequently because of repair, maintenance operations, leakage, breakdown or faulty operation of equipment:    a. At the yard area, employees were exposed to fire hazards, in that, the forklifts used in areas where flammable gases were likely to be present due to cylinders tipping and draining were not of the explosion proof type (EX) as required for Class I Division 1 locations, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(c)(2)(v): In locations used for the storage of hazardous liquids in sealed containers or liquefied or compressed gases in containers, approved power-operated industrial trucks designated as DS, ES, GS, or LPS were not used:    a. At the cylinder handling and storage areas, employees were exposed to a fire hazard, in that, a Kalmar-AC forklift designated as G which was converted to LP and a Daewoo forklift designated as LP were used to handle magnegas cylinders in manifolds, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 26, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $2,100

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(iii): Operators training and evaluation was not conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence:   a. At the site, forklift operators were required to operate a forklift daily without being trained by a person who demonstrated their knowledge and experience in training forklift operators, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,900

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. At the process manufacturing area, employees were exposed to a struck by hazard, in that, a Jet horizontal band saw had the left side of the non-cutting portion of the blade without a guard, on or about 04/16/2015.  b. At the machine shop area, employees were exposed to a struck by hazard, in that, a Turnmaster 15x50 lathe was not provided with a guard over the rotating 3-jaw and 4-jaw chuck, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

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. At the machine shop, employees were exposed to a struck by hazard, in that the point of operation at the Bridgeport Milling machine was not provided with a guard, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $2,100

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(b): Machine(s) designed for fixed location(s) were not securely anchored to prevent walking or moving:  a. Machine shop area, employees were exposed to a struck by hazard, in that, a pedestal drill press was not anchored to the ground to prevent it from tipping over, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $2,100

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.:  a. At the machine shop, employees were exposed to a struck by hazard, in that, the air nozzles used for cleaning were not of the type that would reduce the air pressure from 120 psi to the required 30 psi, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,785 · Current $1,785

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.243(c)(1): Abrasive wheel(s) were used on portable grinder(s) which were not provided with safety guard(s) meeting the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.243(c)(1) through (c)(4)(a)  a. At the site, during process frame manufacturing employees were exposed to a struck by hazard, in that, a hand held Dewalt grinder was not provided with a guard as required, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $2,100

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(f)(1)(viii): Circuit breakers used as switches in 120-volt and 277-volt, fluorescent lighting circuits were not listed and marked "SWD":   a. At the machine shop, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard, in that, black extension cords were used to provide power to the fluorescent lighting in the shop directly from the breaker box located in the adjacent room from breakers that were not designated as "SWD", on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $2,100

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:  a. Phoenix process control cabinet, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard, in that, a knockout at the side of the cabinet was not covered, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $2,100

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:  a. At the records room, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard, in that, a red extension cord was used to provide power to a portable light fixture which was attached to the ceiling of the records room, on or about 04/16/2015.  b. At John Peter's office, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard, in that, a red extension cord was used to provide power to the AC unit and a black extension cord was used to provide power to a 4-way outlet box mounted on a workbench, on or about 04/16/2015.  c. At the machine shop, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard, in that, a 220 volt black extension cord was permanently installed providing power to the Bridgeport milling machine, on or about 04/16/2015.  d. At the machine shop, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard, in that, extension cords were permanently installed providing power to the lighting in the shop as well as other equipment such as, but not limited to, a bench grinder, a drill press and two band saws, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(B): Flexible cords and cables were run through holes in walls, ceilings, or floors:   a. At the machine shop, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard, in that, black extension cords were run through holes in the ceiling and walls to provide power to the machines and equipment as well as the lighting directly from the breaker box located in the adjacent room, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(D): Flexible cords and cables were used where attached to building surfaces:   a. At the machine shop, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard, in that, black extension cords were attached to building surfaces to provide power to the machines and equipment as well as the lighting directly from the breaker box located in the adjacent room, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(E): Flexible cords were concealed behind building walls, ceilings or floors:  a. At the machine shop, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard, in that, black extension cords were run behind the building walls and ceiling to provide power to the machines and equipment as well as the lighting directly from the breaker box located in the adjacent room, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,380 · Current $2,380

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. At the cooling tower, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard, in that the wiring to the cooling tower were spliced with wire caps therefore transmitting pull on the joint connections, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,900

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(b): 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 were not properly documented:  a. At the cylinder tipping and draining area as well as the cylinder storage areas, employees were exposed to a fire and explosion hazard, in that, the Class I Division 1 and Class 1 Division 2 locations were not evaluated and documented to assure that equipment such as, but not limited to, hand tools, electrical tools and equipment, as well as other equipment such as forklifts operated in the areas are of the approved type for the location as wells as the vapors and liquids present, on or about 04/14/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c): Equipment, wiring methods, and installations of equipment in hazardous (classified) locations were not intrinsically safe, approved for the hazardous (classified) location, or safe for the hazardous (classified) location:   a. At the cylinder tipping and draining area, employees were exposed to a fire and explosion hazard, in that, equipment such as, but not limited to, a portable floor fan used in Class I Division 1 and Division 2 locations were not of the approved type for the location as wells as the vapors and liquids present, on or about 04/14/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 26, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,900

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:  a. At the site, employees were exposed to a fire hazard, in that, the hazard communication program was not implemented to include all elements required such as employee training on the hazards, the properties, proper handling and transfer of the chemicals present in Magnegas-1 and Magnegas-2, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 26, 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:   a. At the site, employees were exposed to a fire hazard, in that, training on the hazards, the properties, proper handling and transfer of the chemicals present in Magnegas-1 and Magnegas-2 was not conducted, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(1): Flights of stairs having four or more risers were not equipped with a standard railing as specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (v) of this section:    a. At the site, employees were exposed to a fall hazard, in that, a stairway used by employees to access the offices at the second floor did not have a midrail on either side of the stairway at the first flight, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 26, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(i): A procedure was not utilized to afford the employees a level of protection equivalent to that provided by the implementation of a personal lockout or tagout device when servicing and/or maintenance was performed by a crew, craft or other group:   a. At the site, when employees work on the same equipment a group lockout procedure was not developed and implemented  to assure personal lockout protection for each employee as required under 1910.147(f)(3)(ii), on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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):  a. At the cylinder storage area, employees were exposed to a struck by hazard, in that, a Daewoo forklift serial number D-479914 had both headlights removed with the wiring hanging out, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  a. At the drinking fountain, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard, in that, a multi outlet computer strip was permanently installed as an extension cord to provide power to the drinking fountain, on or about 04/16/2015.

Issued

Oct 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  a. At the second office upstairs, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard, in that, a wall outlet near an office desk used to plug in portable devices was not provided with a cover, on or about 04/16/2015.