OSHA Inspection: SOUTHEASTERN ORNAMENTAL IRON, INC.

Issued

Sep 16, 2015

Abate by

Sep 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(d)(1): On every building or other structure, or part thereof, used for mercantile, business, industrial or storage purposes, the loads approved by the building official were not marked on plates of approved design and securely affixed in a conspicuous place in each space to which they relate.    A). On or about 2:15pm, July 8, 2015 Employees were exposed to potential structural collapse of a ceiling/mezzanine storage area above the office section of the business. Employer is utilizing a ceiling area above the office/showroom of the business as storage for the fabrication shop. The storage area contained spare tools and parts, large fan units, and ornamental iron pieces fabricated in the shop. There were no load labels or certifications authorizing this area as shop storage.

Issued

Sep 16, 2015

Abate by

Sep 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(8)(ii): A floor hole cover of standard strength and construction. While the cover is not in place, the floor hole shall be constantly attended by someone or shall be protected by a removable standard railing.    a). On or about July 8, 2014 the Employer did not ensure the manway/opening to the underground waste water storage tank located 20 feet east of the rear gate to the east side of the building was covered with a fiberglass lid that did not have a weight limit posted on the lid, was not identified as a cover for a hole, was not maintained or protected from vehicle damage.

Issued

Sep 16, 2015

Abate by

Oct 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.94(c)(3)(i): Spray booths shall be designed and constructed in accordance with CFR 29, 1910.107(b)(1) through (b)(4) and (b)(6) through (b)(10). for a more detailed discussion of fundamentals relating to this subject, see ANSI Z9.2-1960, which is incorporated by reference as specified in 1910.6.    a). On or about July 8, 2015 employees were exposed to various hazards associated with spray booth operations because the spray booth/shed was not constructed in accordance with OSHA standards outline in 1910.107

Issued

Sep 16, 2015

Abate by

Sep 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(b)(10): Illumination. When spraying areas are illuminated through glass panels or other transparent materials, only fixed lighting units shall be used as a source of illumination. Panels shall effectively isolate the spraying area from the area in which the lighting unit is located, and shall be of a noncombustible material of such a nature or so protected that breakage will be unlikely. Panels shall be so arranged that normal accumulations of residue on the exposed surface of the panel will not be raised to a dangerous temperature by radiation or conduction from the source of illumination.    a). On or About July 8, 2015 Employees conducting spray operations in an unapproved or non compliant spray booth were exposed to explosion hazards because they were using six, 2 bulb 4 foot fluorescent light fixtures hanging from the ceiling and two, 2 head halogen construction lamps as indirect light sources for materials being sprayed. These fixtures were not of the explosion proof type and were covered with overspray dust.

Issued

Sep 16, 2015

Abate by

Oct 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(c)(5): Combustible residues, areas. Unless specifically approved for locations containing both deposits of readily ignitable residue and explosive vapors, there shall be no electrical equipment in any spraying area, whereon deposits of combustible residues may readily accumulate, except wiring in rigid conduit or in boxes or fittings containing no taps, splices, or terminal connections.  A). On or about July 8, 2015 employees were exposed to explosion and burn injuries because they were completing paint spraying tasks in an area where ignitable residues and explosive vapors were present with non approved electrical equipment and flexible wires. The exhaust fan used for mechanical ventilation was not an approved explosion proof piece of equipment. The wiring for the device were not contained in rigid conduit and were taped and spliced to extend the wires reach to an outlet.

Issued

Sep 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.136(a): General requirements. The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, or when the use of protective footwear will protect the affected employee from an electrical hazard, such as a static-discharge or electric-shock hazard, that remains after the employer takes other necessary protective measures.    a). On or about July 8, 2015, CSHO observed employees working and walking through the metal fabrication shop. Employees work lifting and moving steel and structural aluminum angle iron, flat iron stock and round stock and were not wearing appropriate foot wear exposing employees feet to struck by hazards.

Issued

Sep 16, 2015

Abate by

Oct 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(c): Housekeeping. Storage areas shall be kept free from accumulation of materials that constitute hazards from tripping, fire, explosion, or pest harborage. Vegetation control will be exercised when necessary.    a). On or about July 8, 2015  the employer did not ensure storage areas did not create a hazard from tripping, or explosion. The metal storage rack mixed with the cutting area created a unique slipping and tripping hazard due to improper storage and stacking practices.    b). The outside storage of materials and merchandise on the east side of the building adjacent to the entry to the metal shop, exposed employees to slip, trip and fall hazards. Additionally, this condition created an area ideal for rodent harborage due to poor vegetation control.    c). The paint supply shed was littered with old paint cans, electric hand tools, and trash, exposing employees to slip, trip and fall hazards.

Issued

Sep 16, 2015

Abate by

Oct 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(2): Guard(s) on machine(s) were not affixed to the machine or secured elsewhere when attachment to the machine was not possible:      a). Employees operating Enco Model band saws to cut steel or aluminum stock were not protected from amputation hazards because all portions of the blade were not protected by a guard which would prevent the operators hand or fingers from contacting the moving saw blade.

Issued

Sep 16, 2015

Abate by

Oct 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.243(c)(3): Vertical portable grinders. Safety guards used on machines known as right angle head or vertical portable grinders shall have a maximum exposure angle of 180 deg., and the guard shall be so located so as to be between the operator and the wheel during use. Adjustment of guard shall be such that pieces of an accidentally broken wheel will be deflected away from the operator.     A). On or about July 8, 2015, Employees were operating DeWalt brand hand held metal grinders/polishers equipped with soft wheel grinders and wire brushes and were not protected from struck by hazards because the Safety Guards of the machines had been removed.

Issued

Sep 16, 2015

Abate by

Oct 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.255(d)(2): Fire curtains. For the protection of the operators of nearby equipment, fire-resistant curtains or suitable shields were not set up around the machine work space, or in such a manner that the operators movements are not hampered.    a). On or About 2:30pm July 8, 2015, Employees grinding and polishing metal railings in the shop area were not protected by burns from flack or sparks from the flash welding in the shop area because fire curtains were not present or available to set up around the welding area.

Issued

Sep 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i): Except as elsewhere required or permitted by Subpart S of Part 1910, 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 or by any of the means identified in paragraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i):    a). On or about July 8, 2013 Employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards because the squirrel cage fan units arranged for air circulation were powered by temporary flexible cords that were wire nut spliced to the motors, the copper conductor of the wires were exposed, exposing employees to electrical shock hazards.

Issued

Sep 16, 2015

Abate by

Oct 5, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(g)(6)(i)(B)(2): Enclosures are free from probable contact with ground, grounded metal, metal laths, or other conductive materials;     a). On or about July 8, 2015 employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards because building outlets and enclosures were in direct contact with aluminum and steel scrap leaning against the outlet receptacle boxes in three places in the fabrication shop.  Flexible cords and machines were plugged into these outlets.

Issued

Sep 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(i): Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings shall be protected from abrasion, and openings through which conductors enter shall be effectively closed.    a). On or about July 8, 2015 Employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards from the 1900 type electrical box secured below the circuit breaker panel because the welding cable entering the box was not properly secured with wire clamps and the opening abraded the wire causing an arc burn to the electrical box.

Issued

Sep 16, 2015

Abate by

Oct 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $16,000 · Current $3,500 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.    a). On or about July 8, 2015, Employees of Southeastern Ornamental Iron, inc. Were exposed to trip and fall hazards throughout the shop and office area, because the employer did not maintain the workplace in a clean and orderly condition.  Hallways and entry/exits of the office/showroom area were blocked with merchandise and materials.      b). Exits and doorways in the shop area were blocked with Large stationary tools and merchandise.      c). Extension cords for hand tools were laying on the floor in piles causing tripping hazards.    d). Metal shavings from Aluminum and iron grinding or cutting littered the floors and the areas around the cut off saws creating slip hazards.

Issued

Sep 16, 2015

Abate by

Sep 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.40(a): The employer did not provide an authorized government representative the records within the four business hours.    A). On or about 2:45pm July 8, 2015 CSHO requested copies of OSHA 300 and 301 logs of Southeastern Ornamental Iron, Inc.  The employer said they documents would be available within the hour.  At the closing conference #2 about 0930am July 9, 2015 CSHO again requested copies of OSHA 300 and 301 logs from the employer for the previous three years.  The records still have not been provided to the CSHO.

Issued

Sep 16, 2015

Abate by

Oct 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(iii): All operator training and evaluation shall be conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence.    a). On or about July 8, 2015 the employer did not ensure employees who operate the Toyota Brand 5 ton LPG powered forklift were trained in the safe operation of the forklift and had their skills evaluated for their competence.  CSHO learned through interviews that employees were not trained or evaluated by the employer, nor are they certified by the employer to operate the Forklift.