OSHA Inspection: NORTHWESTERN WELDING AND MACHINE COMPANY, INC.

Issued

2015-12-04 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1540.00 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         a.)    Northwestern Welding & Machining Company, Inc., 9704 Martin Ave., Lake City, Pa 16423-Mazak Integrex E-500 department-on or about June 10, 2015 and times prior thereto: The employer failed to provide a place of employment free from the recognized hazard of a struck-by hazard from accidental disengagement of a load due to a non-functioning safety latch on a hook.  The hook was associated with a 2-ton Coffing model JLC (Serial # JMA6628VB) chain hoist in the Mazak Integrex E-500 department. The hook's safety latch was tied back potentially rendering it ineffective for purposes of protecting loads from events of disengagement during work operations.

Issued

2015-12-04 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-12-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $1925.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(2): Exit routes were not arranged so that employees would not have to travel toward a high hazard area:     A.) Northwestern Welding and Machine Company, Inc./Main Exit Near CNC Department #2/Area Near the Exit Door:  On or about June 10, 2015, approximately 6 acetylene cylinders were stored within 3-feet to 10-feet from the exit door.

Issued

2015-12-04 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.110(d)(10): Precautions were not taken to prevent damage to LP gas system(s) from vehicular traffic:   A.) Northwestern Welding and Machine Company, Inc./Exterior/Northeastern Side of the Main Building/Area Near Parking Lot/Propane Tank:  The propane tank was located approximately 8-feet off of the parking area.  The propane tank was not protected against physical damage.  Sources of physical damage included but were not limited to vehicles and equipment.

Issued

2015-12-04 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-12-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $1925.00 Reduced

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:     A.) Northwestern Welding and Machine Company, Inc., Toyota Forklift (Model 5FBCU15 S/N 60567):  On or about June 10, 2015, the Toyota Forklift was in operation and being utilized by employees.  The forklift was equipped with a safety strobe light.  The strobe light was not functioning.      B.) Northwestern Welding and Machine Company, Inc., Toyota Forklift (Model 5FBCU15 S/N 60567):  On or about June 10, 2015, the Toyota Forklift was in operation and being utilized by employees.  The forklift's accelerator pedal and brake pedal were missing rubber pads.       C.) Northwestern Welding and Machine Company, Inc., Toyota Forklift (Model 5FBCU15 S/N 60567):  On or about June 10, 2015, the Toyota Forklift was in operation and being utilized by employees.  The forklift was equipped with a back-up alarm device that was muffled and could not be predominantly heard above ambient noise levels in the building.  Sound level meter readings registered the ambient noise levels in the building between 74.9 dBA and 82.1 dBA.  Sound level meter readings registered the Toyota forklift's back-up alarm between 69.6 dBA and 71.1 dBA.

Issued

2015-12-04 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-12-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7): Industrial trucks were not examined daily before being placed in service.   A.) Northwestern Welding and Machine Company, Inc.:  On or about June 10, 2015 and at times prior thereto,  employees operated forklifts that included but were not limited to the Toyota Forklift (Model 5FBCU15 S/N 60567).  A forklift inspection program was not implemented.

Issued

2015-12-04 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-12-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1540.00 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, pinch points, rotating parts, moving parts, and flying:     A.) Northwestern Welding and Machine Company, Inc./Pole Building/Horizontal Band Saw:  On or about June 10, 2015, the horizontal band saw was not equipped with a guard to cover the unused portion of the saw blade and the nip points created by the moving saw blade and blade guide rolls.           B.) Northwestern Welding and Machine Company, Inc./Pole Building/Rollin Vertical Band Saw:  On or about June 10, 2015, the Roll-In Vertical band saw was not equipped with a guard to cover the unused portion of the saw blade and the nip points created by the moving saw blade and blade guide rolls.           C.) Northwestern Welding and Machine Company, Inc./Turret Department #1/Debris Conveyor for the Mazak M2-510C CNC Machine:  On or about June 10, 2015, The guard was missing from the end of the chip conveyor.  Condition potentially exposed employees to the moving conveyor and its associated nip-points.

Issued

2015-12-04 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $1925.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(2): Abrasive wheel(s) used on grinding machinery were not provided with safety guard(s) which covered the spindle end, nut, flange projections:    A.) Northwestern Welding and Machine Company, Inc./Welding Department/Craftsman 1/3 HP Bench Grinder:  The grinder was utilized for activities that included but were not limited to grinding electrodes.  The grinder's spindle nuts on the side of the machine were totally exposed and not covered by a guard.      B.) Northwestern Welding and Machine Company, Inc./Lathe Department by Door/Daytone 6-inch Bench Grinder:  The grinder was utilized for activities that included but were not limited to grinding clearances on inserts.  The grinders spindle nuts on the side of the machine were totally exposed and not covered by a guard.

Issued

2015-12-04 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4): Work rest(s) on grinding machinery were not adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one eighth inch:  A.) Northwestern Welding and Machine Company, Inc./Lathe Department by Door/Dayton 6-inch Bench Grinder:  The grinder was utilized for activities that included but were not limited to grinding electrodes.  The work rests on the grinder were out of adjustment.  The work rests were positioned approximately 1 inch from the grinding wheel.

Issued

2015-12-04 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9): Guard for abrasive wheel machine where the operator stands in front of the machine was not constructed so that the peripheral protecting member could be adjusted to the constantly decreasing diameter of the wheel:  A.) Northwestern Welding and Machine Company, Inc./Lathe Department by Door/Dayton 6-inch Bench Grinder:  The grinder was utilized for activities that included but were not limited to grinding clearances on inserts.  The grinder was not equipped with a tongue guard.

Issued

2015-12-04 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9): The distance between the abrasive wheel periphery(s) and the adjustable tongue or the end of the safety guard peripheral member at the top exceeded one fourth inch:   A.) Northwestern Welding and Machine Company, Inc./Welding Department/Craftsman 1/3 HP Bench Grinder:  The grinder was utilized for activities that included but were not limited to grinding electrodes.  The tongue guards on the grinder were out of adjustment.  The tongue guards were positioned approximately 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch from the grinding wheel.

Issued

2015-12-04 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-12-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1540.00 Reduced

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.)    Northwestern Welding & Machining Company, Inc., 9704 Martin Ave., Lake City, Pa 16423-CNC Department 1-on or about June 10, 2015 and times prior thereto: Employees were utilizing compressed air to clean off metal adapter parts that were saturated with material including but not limited to, coolant.  Measurements of compressed air next to the Mazak Quick Turn machine 100 M in CNC department 1 were measured at greater than 60 p.s.i.

Issued

2015-12-04 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2100.00 · Current $1155.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5)(i): The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the identity of the hazardous chemical(s) contained therein:       a.)    Northwestern Welding & Machining Company, Inc., 9704 Martin Ave., Lake City, Pa 16423-CNC department-on or about June 10, 2015 and times prior thereto: Employees utilized an approximately 2 gallon container containing Acetone in order to remove material including, but not limited to, adhesives, paint, marks, and smudges off of products including, but not limited to, bar stock. The approximately 2 gallon container was not labeled to identify the chemical(s) contained within the container.

Issued

2015-12-04 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-01-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(iv):   The details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, did not include an explanation of the labels received on shipped containers and the workplace labeling system used by their employer; the safety data sheet, including the order of information and how employee could obtain and use the appropriate hazard information:     a.)    Northwestern Welding & Machining Company, Inc., 9704 Martin Ave., Lake City, Pa 16423-on or about June 10, 2015 and times prior thereto: Employees were working with and around hazardous substances including, but not limited to Acetone, and welding fumes during work operations.  Employees did not receive training on the new labeling elements and safety data sheet format by the December 1, 2013 deadline noted in CFR 1910.1200 (j)(1) of the Hazard Communication 2012 Standard.

Issued

2015-12-04 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-01-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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.) Northwestern Welding and Machine Company, Inc., Lockout/Tagout Program:  On or about June 10, 2015, employees performed servicing and maintenance work on machines/equipment that included but was not limited to CNC machinery.  A periodic inspection had not been conducted with the authorized employees that perform servicing/maintenance work on the machines/equipment.  The last periodic inspection had been conducted in calendar year 2011.

Issued

2015-12-04 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2): Portable fire extinguishers were not visually inspected at least monthly:  A.) Northwestern Welding and Machine Company, Inc., Fire Extinguisher Program:  On or about June 10, 2015, fire extinguishers were not inspected on a monthly basis.  Fire extinguishers including but not limited to Dry Chemical Type ABC extinguishers were distributed throughout the work areas.

Issued

2015-12-04 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(d)(2)(i): The employer using the scheduled monitoring option did not perform initial monitoring to determine the 8-hour time-weighted average exposure to chromium (VI) for each employee on the basis of a sufficient number of personal breathing zone air samples to accurately characterize full shift exposure on each shift, for each job classification, in each work area:    a.)    Northwestern Welding & Machining Company, Inc., 9704 Martin Ave., Lake City, Pa 16423 Welding department-on or about June 10, 2015 and times prior thereto:  Employees performed hard facing/welding operations with chromium based materials including but not limited to Hard facing alloys.  The employer had not performed initial monitoring to determine employee's exposure levels to potential Hexavalent chromium.