OSHA Inspection: GEM FOREST PRODUCTS LLC

Issued

Aug 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees are engaged in the activities covered by this section.  a) Waste Conveyor Area: On or about July 1, 2015 or prior thereto:  Procedures were not developed for the control of potentially hazardous energy on the MCC#5 Chipper System during employee maintenance and servicing activities.   This included equipment such as the Shaker Screen, Infeed to Chipper Conveyor, Conveyor to Chip Bin, Chain off Shaker, Main Conveyor, Conveyor off Chipper, Overs Conveyor, and the Sawdust Conveyor.  Electrical power to this equipment was rated at 460 Volts.  This item was corrected during the inspection.

Issued

Aug 13, 2015

Abate by

Sep 9, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,000 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 was not provided by the employer for isolating, securing or blocking of machines or equipment from energy sources.  a) Waste Conveyor Area: On or about July 1, 2015 or prior thereto:  Locks and other hardware necessary to isolate, secure and block machines and equipment from energy sources was not provided to employees.  This included hardware for to prevent the release of hazardous energy on the MCC#5 Chipper System during employee maintenance and servicing activities.   This included equipment such as the Shaker Screen, Infeed to Chipper Conveyor, Conveyor to Chip Bin, Chain off Shaker, Main Conveyor, Conveyor off Chipper, Overs Conveyor, and the Sawdust Conveyor.  Electrical power to this equipment was rated at 460 Volts.  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Aug 13, 2015

Abate by

Sep 9, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls were acquired by employees.    a) On or about July 1, 2015 or prior thereto: An employee working in the waste conveyor area had not received sufficient lock-out training for activities involving the chipper system.    Abatement certification and documentation is required for this item.

Issued

Aug 13, 2015

Abate by

Sep 9, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(18)(i): Construction, operation, and maintenance of conveyors was not in accordance with American National Standard B20.1-1957, which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6.  a) Waste Conveyors Area: On or about July 1, 2015 or prior thereto:  The 11" wide Overs Conveyor operating at 20 FPM was damaged at the lacings, and had a portion of the conveyor belt missing that measured approximately 3" wide by 8" long.   The conveyor had not been inspected periodically, and did not have worn parts replaced per Section 8 of ANSI B20.1-1957.  b) Waste Conveyors Area: On or about July 1, 2015 or prior thereto:  The south side of the S-Drive of the 11" wide Overs Conveyor operating at 20 FPM passed over working areas and was not guarded per Section 609 of ANSI B20.1-1957.  This item was corrected during the inspection.

Issued

Aug 13, 2015

Abate by

Sep 9, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i): Live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more were not guarded against accidental contact by use of approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures:  a) Circuit Breaker Panel, MCC #3, On or about July 1, 2015:   Panel doors were open to the 480 Volt circuit breakers for the 50HP Saw, In Feed to Tom Dog, Bin Removal #2, and the Transfer to Turning Chains and Even End Roll.    Abatement certification is required for this item.

Issued

Aug 13, 2015

Abate by

Sep 9, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.333(a):  Safety-related work practices were not employed to prevent electric shock or other injuries resulting from either direct or indirect electrical contacts, when work is performed near or on equipment or circuits which are or may be energized.   a) Circuit Breaker Panel, MCC #3, On or about July 1, 2015:   Panel doors were open to the 480 Volt circuit breakers for the 50HP Saw, In Feed to Tom Dog, Bin Removal #2, and the Transfer to Turning Chains and Even End Roll.   Panel doors were open as Millwrights were accessing the panel controls to adjust the sawmill line or chain speed.  Abatement certification is required for this item.