OSHA Inspection: SOUTHERN FIBER INC.

Issued

Jan 8, 2018

Abate by

Jan 18, 2018

Penalty

Initial $726 · Current $726

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1): The employer did not submit to the Agency documents demonstrating that abatement is complete for each willful or repeat violation and for any serious violation for which the Agency indicates in the citation that such abatement documentation is required.  a. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 1 item 1 contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  b. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 1 item 2 contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  c. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 1 item 3 contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  d. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 1 item 4 contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  e. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 1 item 5 contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  f. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 1 item 6 contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  g. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 1 item 7 contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  h. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 1 item 8 contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  i. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 1 item 9a contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  j. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 1 item 9b contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  k. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 1 item 10 contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  l. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 1 item 11 contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  m. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 1 item 12a contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  n. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 1 item 12b contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  o. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 1 item 13a contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  p. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 1 item 13b contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  q. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 1 item 14 contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  r. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 2 item 1 contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  s. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 3 item 1 contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  t. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 3 item 2 contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  u. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 3 item 3a contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  v. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 3 item 3b contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  w. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 5 item 1a contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.  x. On or about 8/7/2017, the employer did not send abatement documentation for citation 5 item 1b contained in Inspection #1072818, which was issued on 12/15/2015.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 21, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,072 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 a fall hazard:      On or about July 21, 2015, at the production area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL.  Employees were exposed to a fall hazard when performing cleaning operations while standing on a wood pallet lacking guardrails or fall protection, which was not secured to the forks and/or mast of a powered industrial truck.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,072 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms or service rooms were not kept clean and orderly or in a sanitary condition.    On or about July 21, 2015, at Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL.  Employees were exposed to tripping hazards and unsanitary conditions throughout the facility, most notably in the shop area.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,080 · Current $1,658 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent) and toeboards:  Note:  Toeboards are only required when persons can pass, there is moving equipment or there is equipment with which falling materials could create a hazard.    On or about July 21, 2015, at the production area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL.       a.  An employee was exposed to a fall hazard while cleaning by standing on top of machinery without being protected from falling.      b.  Employees were exposed to a fall hazard while working from platforms located at the entry and exit sides of an oven which had top rails placed at 38" from platform floor level and lacked mid rails.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,080 · Current $1,658 Reduced

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:    On or about July 21, 2015, at the production area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL.      a.  Employees were exposed to a fall hazard while using stairs which lacked an intermediate rail to access a platform used for feeding fiber product inside an oven.    b.  Employees were exposed to a fall hazard while using stairs which lacked an intermediate rail to access platforms located at the exit of the oven.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 23, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,310 · Current $1,243 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): The employer did not select and require employee(s) to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands were exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasion; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes:      On or about July 21, 2015, at the production area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL.  Employees performing feeding of polyester fiber to oven were not provided with thermal gloves, exposing the employee to burns from oven temperature of up to 200 degrees Celsius that is needed for the fiber to fuse.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,072 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1): Portable fire extinguishers were not mounted, located and identified so that they were readily accessible without subjecting the employees to injuries:    On or about July 21, 2015, at the receiving area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL.  A fire extinguisher was blocked by a powered industrial truck and scrap polyester fiber, exposing employees to a burn hazard in the event of a fire.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,072 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:    On or about July 21, 2015, at the shop area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL. An employee was exposed to a caught by hazard while working with a drill press (i.e. Target, TT-18FP) without point of operation guarding.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,072 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Point of operation guards were not designed and constructed as to prevent the operator from having any part of their body in the danger zone during the operating cycle:    On or about July 29, 2015, at the recycling portion of the blending line, production area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, Fl.  The point of operation guard of machinery used for the recycling of scrap polyester fiber (i.e. a picker) had an opening of 1-inch, exposing employees to a caught by hazard.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,080 · Current $1,658 Reduced

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:    On or about July 21, 2015, at the shop area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL.  An employee was exposed to a struck by hazard while working with a bench grinder (i.e. Dayton, Z6728) that lacked a work rest on its left side.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  On or about July 21, 2015, at the shop area, Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL.  An employee was exposed to a struck by hazard while working with a bench grinder (i.e. Dayton, Z6728) that lacked a tongue guard on its left side.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,080 · Current $1,658 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(2)(i): All exposed part(s) of horizontal shafting seven (7) feet or less from floor or working platform were not protected by stationary casing(s) enclosing shafting completely or by trough(s) enclosing sides and top or sides and bottom of shafting:    On or about July 21, 2015, at the blending line of the production area, Southern Fiber of Miami, LLC, Miami Gardens, Fl.  An employee was exposed to a caught by hazard while working in the proximity of a horizontal shaft which was not entirely guarded.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,080 · Current $1,658 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(i): Unguarded projecting shaft end(s) did not present a smooth edge and end and projected more than one half the diameter of the shaft:    a. On or about July 29, 2015, at the entry point to the oven of the production area,  Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, Fl.  Employees were exposed to a caught by hazard while working in the proximity of an unguarded shaft that projected 8 times its half diameter, which was part of the drive mechanism that fed fiber into the oven.    b. On or about July 29, 2015, at back of the production area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, Fl.  A machine used for layering polyester fiber had an unguarded shaft that projected 4.45 times its half diameter, exposing employees working in the area to a caught by hazard.      c. On or about July 29, 2015, at back of the production area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, Fl.  A machine used for layering polyester fiber had an unguarded shaft that projected 8.8 times its half diameter, exposing employees working in the area to a caught by hazard.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,072 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):        On or about July 21, 2015, at the blending line of the production area, Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL.  An employee was exposed to a caught by hazard while working adjacent to pulleys which were not guarded.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,080 · Current $1,658 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(c)(3)(i): All splices and joints and the free ends of the conductors were not covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device identified for the purpose.        On or about July 21, 2015, at the shop area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL, a drill press (i.e. Target Machinery, TT-18FP) had a spliced cord insulated with plastic tape, exposing an employee to an electrical hazard.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 21, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(ii): There was a defect or evidence of damage that could have exposed an employee to injury and the defective or damaged item was not removed from service:  a.  On or about July 21, 2015, at the production area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens FL, a vacuum cleaner (i.e. Shop Vac) had a frayed cord, exposing an employee to an electrical hazard.      b.  On or about July 21, 2015, at the shop area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL, a drill press (i.e. Target Machinery, TT-18FP) had a frayed cord, exposing an employee to an electrical hazard.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,080 · Current $1,658 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(g)(5): The path to ground from circuits, equipment, and enclosures was not permanent, continuous, and effective:    On or about July 21, 2015, at the shop area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens FL. An employee was exposed to an electrical hazard while working with a drill press (i.e. Target Machinery, TT-18FP) that lacked a continuous path to ground.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $38,500 · Current $20,721 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1): The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative:    On or about July 21, 2015, at the production area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL.      a.  The employer did not establish an energy control program and provided energy control devices to render the equipment inoperable for protecting employees from a caught by hazard while cleaning fiber and/or replacing chains on a picker (at the production area) used to shred polyester fiber for recycling through the blending line.      b.  The employer did not establish an energy control program and provided energy control devices to render the equipment inoperable, resulting in the exposure of employees to a caught by hazard while replacing and/or repairing a belt/chain of one of the hoppers of the blending line which was not locked out, and while unjamming polyester fibers between the rollers and other moving parts of a winding machine (at the production area) which was not rendered inoperable.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,700 · Current $4,144 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(1): An educational program was not provided for all employees to familiarize them with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting:      On or about July 21, 2015, at Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL.  The employer had not provided employees with training on the use of fire extinguishers.    Southern Fiber Inc. (DBA Southern Fiber of Orlando LLC) was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 990116, citation number 2, item number 3, and was affirmed as a final order on December 19, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 230 North Ortman Dr, Orlando, Fl 32805.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $10,780 · Current $5,801 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l):    On or about July 21, 2015, at the production area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL.  Employees operated a powered industrial truck (i.e. Toyota) without being trained and/or evaluated.    Southern Fiber Inc. (DBA Southern Fiber of Orlando LLC) was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent, 29 CFR 1910.178(l), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 990116, citation number 2, item number 3, and was affirmed as a final order on December 19, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 230 North Ortman Dr, Orlando, Fl 32805.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $10,780 · Current $5,801 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3):  Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven (7) feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:    a.  On or about July 21, 2015, back of the production area, Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, Fl.  An employee worked within 3 feet of exposed sprocket wheels and chain located at 32 inches and 46 inches from floor level, which were part of drive mechanism of rollers used to prepare layers of polyester fiber.     b.  On or about July 21, 2015, back of the production area, Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, Fl.  An employee worked within 3 feet of exposed sprocket wheels and chain located at 21 inches and 40 inches from floor level, which were part of drive mechanism of rollers used to prepare layers of polyester fiber.     c.  On or about July 29, 2015, at the entry to the oven of the production area, Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, Fl.  An employee worked within 3 inches of exposed sprocket wheels and chain located at 34 inches and 72 inches from floor level, which were part of drive mechanism of one of the roller feeding polyester fiber into the oven.    d.  On or about July 29, 2015, at the exit of the oven of the production area, Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, Fl.  An employee worked close to exposed sprocket and chains within 6.5 feet and 3.5 feet from a platform floor level, which moved the fused polyester fiber towards the winding machine.      Southern Fiber Inc. (DBA Southern Fiber of Orlando LLC) was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent 29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 990116, citation number 1, item number 5, and was affirmed as a final order on December 19, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 230 North Ortman Dr, Orlando, Fl 32805.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i): Vertical or inclined belt(s) were not enclosed by guard(s) conforming to the requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):   On or about July 21, 2015, at the blending line of the production area, Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL.  An employee was exposed to a caught by hazard while working adjacent to a belt and pulleys which were not guarded.     Southern Fiber Inc. (DBA Southern Fiber of Orlando LLC) was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent 29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 990116, citation number 1, item number 5, and was affirmed as a final order on December 19, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 230 North Ortman Dr, Orlando, Fl 32805.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(a)(6): The employer did not ensure that all nameplates or markings were maintained in a legible condition:  On or about July 21, 2015, at the production area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL.  A powered industrial truck  (i.e. Toyota) was operated without having markings (i.e. model/serial number and capacity) in a legible condition.

Issued

Dec 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 29, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7): Industrial trucks were not examined before being placed in service:   On or about July 21, 2015, at the production area of Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL.  A powered industrial truck  (i.e. Toyota) was not inspected before use, exposing employees to a struck by hazard.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Abate by

Nov 24, 2015

Penalty

Initial $770 · Current $770

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.4(a): The employer did not record each work-related fatality, injury or illness case that resulted in the general recording criteria on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent.   On or about June 24, 2015, at Southern Fiber of Miami LLC, Miami Gardens, FL, the employer did not record a lost-time work-related injury that took place on May 22, 2015, when an employee suffered the degloving of his right hand while cleaning polyester fiber from a machine (i.e. a picker).      Abatement Certification and Documentation is required.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Abate by

Nov 23, 2015

Penalty

Initial $770 · Current $770

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.39(a)(2): The employer did not report an in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye as a result of a work-related incident to OSHA within twenty-four (24) hours:  On or about June 24, 2015, the employer had not reported that an employee was hospitalized on May 22, 2015, when suffered the degloving of his right hand while cleaning polyester fiber from a machine (i.e. a picker).