OSHA Inspection: U.S. PAPER CONVERTERS, INC

Issued

Sep 8, 2015

Abate by

Oct 6, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,430 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:    (a)   The employer developed a written energy control procedure #98 Baler for if the operator had to place a part of the body in the danger zone when clearing jams.  However, supervisors did not enforce the energy control procedure as operators had to clear jams.  This practice exposed employees to potential moving of the hydraulic ram engaging while inside the space.

Issued

Sep 8, 2015

Abate by

Oct 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed:    (a)  The employer failed to conduct periodic inspections at least annually for all authorized employee who perform servicing, maintenance, or cleaning to ensure the lockout/tagout procedures are being followed and complete.

Issued

Sep 8, 2015

Abate by

Oct 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Authorized employee(s) did not receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.    (a)  Lockout/tagout training was not accomplished for employees unjamming activities on equipment such as but not limited to the manual baler.

Issued

Sep 8, 2015

Abate by

Oct 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(ii)(B): Refresher training in relevant topics was not provided to the operator when the operator was involved in an accident or near-miss incident:    (a)  On or about June 4, 2015; in the Rewrap Area a powered industrial operator operating the Yale propane clamp lift truck C17 was involved in an accident.  The operator did not receive training following the accident in topics such as but not limited to: visibility (including restrictions due to loading), pedestrian traffic in areas where the vehicle will be operated, narrow aisles and other restricted places where the vehicle will be operated, and driver shall be required to slow down and sound the horn where vision is obstructed.

Issued

Sep 8, 2015

Abate by

Oct 6, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Point(s) of operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s):      (a) In the Baling Department, The American Baler Co. (Model:  14121, S/N:  77 114 1216460) #98 did not have guarding in the opening where the ram pushed paper exposing employees to caught -in hazards.      (b)  In the Baling Department, No. 98 Baler Guillotine (Lockout Number 96001) did not have guarding on the back side exposing employees to struck-by hazard.

Issued

Sep 8, 2015

Abate by

Oct 6, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(b): Storage of material created a hazard:  (a)  In the Baling Department; the "stubs" were not stored in a manner which would prevent them from tipping over exposing employees to struck-by hazards.