OSHA Inspection: ALGUS PACKAGING, INC.

Issued

Nov 3, 2015

Abate by

Mar 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,350 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 were engaged in activities covered by this section:    North, building #2A, thermoforming department, thermoforming machines - on or about July 13, 2015, and on subsequent dates, the developed and documented hazardous energy control procedure (lockout tagout) was not utilized for an orderly shutdown of the equipment and isolation of hazardous energy during servicing activity (setup). Employees assigned to perform setup had their finger(s) and hand(s) exposed to caught in-between hazards capable of causing amputation.     Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Nov 3, 2015

Abate by

Mar 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, including, but not limited to Items of this section:    Thermoforming lines hazardous energy control (lockout) procedures - the developed and documented procedures were not clear and specific for each listed machine to outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of different hazardous energy sources. Employees assigned to servicing tasks (including setup) had their hand(s) and finger(s) exposed to hazards likely to result in amputation.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Nov 3, 2015

Abate by

Mar 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(1): When lockout or tagout devices temporarily were removed from the energy isolating device and the machine or equipment was energized to test or position the machine, equipment or component thereof, the sequence of actions were not followed:    North, building #2A, thermoforming department, thermoforming machines - hazardous energy control (lockout) program did not include instructions and/or work practices for testing and/or positioning of the equipment in accordance with the applicable standard provisions (f)(1)(i) through (f)(1)(v) to:    (a) clear machines of tools and materials;   (b) remove employees from the hazardous areas around the machine;   (c) remove the lockout/tagout devices;   (d) energize the machine and employ effective employee protection while testing or positioning machinery;   (e) and, turn off all systems, isolate the machine from the energy source, and reapply lockout/tagout devices as specified, if additional servicing or maintenance is required.    Employees were assigned to perform setup (servicing task) on the energized and operating equipment that exposed them to hand(s) and finger(s) caught-in hazards likely to result in amputation.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Nov 3, 2015

Abate by

Mar 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) did not cover the actions listed in and was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6):    North, building #2A, thermoforming department, thermoforming machines - prior to starting work, employees performing setup in the point-of-operation and associated danger zone where unexpected start-up could cause injury, were not required to apply energy controls in the following sequence:     (a) prepare for shut down by recognizing energy hazards and its controls,  (b) turn off and shut down the machines,  (c) physically locate and operate energy isolating devices in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source,  (d) affix lockout or tagout devices to each energy isolating device,  (e) verify that isolation and deenergization of the machine or equipment have been accomplished.    Employees were exposed to caught-in hazards from moving stripper and stacker components likely to result in finger(s) and hand(s) amputation. Use of the stop button and/or emergency stop device (alternative measures) did not provide effective protection against unexpected start-up.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Nov 3, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,700 · Current $1,000 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(s)    South, Packaging-Warehouse department, Toyota powered industrial trucks no. 05 and 06: on or about July 13, 2015, employees were operating forklifts with mast hose connections leaking hydraulic oil.     There is no abatement certification or documentation required for this item.

Issued

Nov 3, 2015

Abate by

Mar 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,350 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:    (a) North, building #2A, thermoforming department, thermoforming machines: on or about July 13, 2015, employees were assigned to remove by hand plastic products from the points-of-operation on the stacking stations for packing. Employees had their hand(s) and finger(s) exposed to caught-in hazards capable of causing amputation where the unguarded pinch point existed between vertically moving stripper and stacker parts during operating cycle.    (b) North, building #2A, thermoforming department, thermoforming machines: on or about July 13, 2015, employees were assigned to remove by hand plastic products from the stacking stations for packing. Employees had their limbs exposed to caught-in hazards capable of causing crushing injuries where the unguarded catch point existed in the machine area between vertically moving stripper and stacker enclosure parts and supporting columns (pistons) during operating cycle.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Nov 3, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  South, Packaging-Warehouse department - on or about July 13, 2015, portable fire extinguishers were exposed to damages where not mounted above the floor level.   There is no abatement certification or documentation required for this item.