OSHA Inspection: PECONIC RECYCLING & TRANSFER CORP.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Dec 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,170 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(c): Covers and/or guardrails were not provided to protect personnel from the hazards of open pits, tanks, vats, ditches, etc.    (a) 560 Commerce Road, Cutchogue, NY (Worksite), Recycling Line B - The 36" W x 36" L and 46" W x 48" L sorting bin openings, located along each side of the conveyor belt on Recycling Line B, were not provided with covers or guardrails when employees climbed onto and walked along the conveyor belt to access the trommel screen, which exposed employees to a 16'-4" fall. OSHA documented seven (7) specific instances that occurred between July 1, 2015 and July 16, 2015.      (b) Worksite, Recycling Line A  The 42" W x 60" L sorting bin openings located along each side of the conveyor belt on Recycling Line A were not provided with covers or guardrails when an employee climbed onto the conveyor belt to remove debris, which exposed the employee to a 16'-4" fall on, or about July 16, 2015.          Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:    (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - Employees were provided with and required to wear respirators during the processing of municipal solid waste (MSW) and construction and demolition debris (C&D). The employer failed to develop and implement a written respiratory protection program including training, medical evaluation, fit testing, facepiece seal protection, and procedures for cleaning and storing and disinfecting of respirators on, or about July 16, 2015.          Note: The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(iii): The employer did not identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace; including a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazards and identification of the contaminant's chemical state and physical form:   (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - The employer failed to monitor the respiratory hazards that employees were exposed to during the processing of municipal solid waste (MSW) and construction and demolition debris (C&D) on, or about July 16, 2015.       Note: The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:  (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - Employees who were required to wear respirators during the processing of municipal solid waste (MSW) and construction and demolition debris (C&D) were not provided with a medical evaluation to determine their ability to use respirators on, or about July 16, 2015.       Note: The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator:  (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - Employees who were required to wear respirators during the processing of municipal solid waste (MSW) and construction and demolition debris (C&D) were not fit tested prior to their initial use of respirators on, or about July 16, 2015.       Note: The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(3): Training was not provided prior to requiring employees to use a respirator in the workplace:  (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - Employees who were required to wear respirators during the processing of municipal solid waste (MSW) and construction and demolition debris (C&D) were not provided with respiratory protection training, prior to wearing respirators in the workplace on, or about July 16, 2015.       Note: The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Jan 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1): The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces:      (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces including, but not limited to the Sherbrooke O.E.M. Ltd. Trommel Screen and the Harris HRB 200 Baler needed to be designated as a permit-required confined space on, or about July 1, 2015.          Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Dec 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2): The employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit-required confined spaces:  (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - Exposed employees were not informed, through the posting of danger signs or another equally effective method, that permit-required confined spaces existed in the workplace such as, but not limited to the screen area on the inside of the Sherbrooke O.E.M. Ltd. Trommel Screen on, or about July 1, 2015.   Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Jan 21, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(g)(1): The employer did not provide training so that all employees whose work was regulated by 29 CFR 1910.146 (permit-required confined spaces) acquired the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned under 29 CFR 1910.146:  (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - The employer failed to provide training to those employees whose work activities required them to make entry into permit-required confined spaces such as, but not limited to the screen area on the inside of the Sherbrooke O.E.M. Ltd. Trommel Screen on, or about July 1, 2015.    Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Jan 21, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(5)(i): Locks, tags, chains, wedges, key blocks, adapter pins, self-locking fasteners, or other hardware were not provided by the employer for isolating, securing, or blocking of machines or equipment from energy sources:      (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - The employer did not provide lockout/tagout devices or other hardware that was capable of isolating, securing, or blocking the hydraulic, mechanical, gravitational, and pneumatic energy sources that existed in the workplace on, or about July 1, 2015.           Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Jan 21, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(B): Lockout and tagout devices were not standardized within the facility in at least one of the following criteria: color; shape; or size:    (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - The Ace, Brady, and Master brand padlocks used as lockout devices were not standardized by color, shape, or size on, or about July 16, 2015.           Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Dec 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(D): Lockout devices and tagout devices did not indicate the identity of the employee applying the device(s)    (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - The Ace laminated steel padlock used as a lockout device on the disconnect switch of the Main Variable Frequency Device (VFD) electrical enclosure did not indicate the identity of the employee who applied the device on, or about July 1, 2015.      (b) Worksite, Recycling Area - The Master laminated steel padlock used as a lockout device on the disconnect switch of the Right Conveyor Variable Frequency Device (VFD) CE1 electrical enclosure did not indicate the identity of the employee who applied the device on, or about July 16, 2015.          Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Jan 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide adequate training to ensure that employees acquired the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage and removal of energy control devices:    (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - Employees that performed, were affected by, or worked in areas where energy control procedures were used on equipment such as, but not limited to the Sherbrooke O.E.M. Ltd. Trommel Screen were not trained on, or about July 1, 2015.          Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Jan 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(8): Lockout or tagout was not performed only by the authorized employees who are performing the servicing or maintenance:    (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - On a regular and routine basis, the Sherbrooke O.E.M. Ltd Trommel Screen was locked and tagged out by an employee who was not part of the crew who entered the inside of the trommel to clean the perforated screens. OSHA documented seven (7) specific instances that occurred between July 1, 2015, and July 16, 2015.           Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Dec 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(6): Prior to starting work on machines or equipment that had been locked out or tagged out, the authorized employee did not verify that isolation and deenergization of the machine or equipment had been accomplished:    (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - Employees did not verify the isolation and de-energization when lockout or tagout was applied to equipment such as, but not limited to the Sherbrooke O.E.M. Ltd Trommel Screen had been accomplished on, or about July 1, 2015.          Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Dec 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(e)(2)(i): Before lockout or tagout devices were removed and energy was restored to the machine or equipment, authorized employees did not ensure that all employees had been safely positioned or removed from the work area:    (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - An employee removed the lockout device that was attached to the Main Variable Frequency Device (VFD) electrical enclosure and restarted Recycling Lines A & B, without ensuring the three employees who were cleaning the perforated screens on the inside of the Sherbrooke O.E.M. Ltd Trommel Screen were in a safe position or removed from their work area on, or about July 1, 2015.          Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Dec 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(ii): Group lockout or tagout devices were not used in accordance with procedures required by 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4) of this section including, but not limited to the specific requirements contained in 1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(A), 1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(B), 1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(C), or 1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D):     (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - A lock was not applied onto a group lockout device for each exposed employee when two or more employees performed cleaning, maintenance, and servicing of machinery and equipment such as, but not limited to the Sherbrooke O.E.M. Ltd Trommel Screen on, or about July 1, 2015          Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Jan 21, 2016

Penalty

Initial $49,000 · Current $38,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): Procedures did not 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, 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(A), (c)(4)(ii)(B), (c)(4)(ii)(C) and (c)(4)(ii)(D):    (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - The energy control procedure used to perform lockout /tagout on equipment such as, but not limited to the Sherbrooke O.E.M. Ltd. Trommel Screen and the Harris HRB 200 Baler did not identify who was authorized to perform the procedure; did not include the specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, and blocking all sources of hazardous energy; did not include the specific procedural steps for the removal and transfer of loackout and tagout devices and the responsibility for them; and did not include specific requirements for testing equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of the lockout and tagout devices and other energy control measures. When the energy control procedure was used to lockout the Sherbrooke O.E.M. Trommel Screen the mechanical and gravitational sources of hazardous energy were not controlled. OSHA documented seven (7) specific instances that occurred between July 1, 2015 and July 15, 2015.      Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Dec 29, 2015

Abate by

Jan 21, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4): When the employer decided that its employees would enter permit-required confined spaces, the employer did not develop and implement a written permit-required confined space entry program that complied with 29 CFR 1910.146:  (a) Worksite, Recycling Area - The employer failed to develop and implement written permit-required confined space entry procedures when it decided employees would enter the Sherbrooke O.E.M. Ltd Trommel Screen, Model # T96-40/4.15/4.15 / Serial # OEM13P2206-007. OSHA documented seven (7) specific instances that occurred between July 1, 2015 and July 15, 2015.       Note: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this violation, in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.