OSHA Inspection: EMPIRE VENTILATION EQUIPMENT CO., INC.

Issued

Dec 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:  a)  Production Facility -On or about September 9, 2015, the exit route at the front of the building nearest to Route 17A was obstructed with a drum on a stand exposing employees to increased travel times to exit the building if an exit was necessary due to an emergency.  b)  Production Facility - On or about September 9, 2015, the exit route at the back of the building nearest to route 17A was partially obstructed exposing employees to increased travel times to exit the building if an exit was necessary due to an emergency.

Issued

Dec 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,200 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)  Production area - On or before September 9, 2015 the employer had an operational Walker Turner Company Inc. drill press that did not have a point of operation guard.  This exposed employees to the possibility of a severe laceration injury.

Issued

Dec 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(b): Anchoring fixed machinery. Machines designed for a fixed location shall be securely anchored to prevent walking or moving:  a)  Production facility - On or before September 9, 2015, the Walker Turner Company, Inc. drill press was not affixed to the floor exposing employees to the possibility of being struck by it if was to be overturned.

Issued

Dec 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.217(c)(1)(i): The employer did not provide and ensure the usage of point of operation guards or properly applied point of operation devices on every operation performed on mechanical power presses:  b)  Production Facility - On or about September 9, 2015, the Bliss 30 Ton Power Press was operational with the point of operation guards taken off.  This exposed employees operating this press to the possibility of amputation injuries.

Issued

Dec 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i): Where both runs of horizontal belts are seven (7) feet or less from the floor level, the guard should have been extended to at least fifteen (15) inches above the belt or to a standard height, except that where both runs of a horizontal belt are 42 inches or less from the floor, the belt should have been fully enclosed in accordance with paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section:  a)  Production facility - On or before September 9, 2015, the air compressor for the facility was operational with the guard for the belts removed exposing employees to a possible amputation hazard.  b)  Production facility - On or before September 9, 2015, the Pextel roll former was operational with the belts and pulleys unguarded exposing employees to a possible amputation hazard.

Issued

Dec 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:  a)  Production facility - On or before September 9, 2015, the sprocket and chains of the Niagara grooving machine were completely exposed without guarding.  Employees were accordingly exposed to an amputation hazard from these unguarded parts.

Issued

Dec 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(iii): Internal parts of electrical equipment, including busbars, wiring terminals, insulators, and other surfaces, may not be damaged or contaminated by foreign materials such as paint, plaster, cleaners, abrasives, or corrosive residues:  a)  Production Facility - On or about September 9, 2015 an energized Walker Turner Company Inc. drill press had a damaged flexible cord for the drill press.

Issued

Dec 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(d)(2)(ii): Lavatories were not provided with hot and cold, or tepid running water:  a)  Lavatory connected to the production facility - On or before September 9, 2015, there was no hot running water in the lavatory and employees were able to wash their hands only with cold water after using the lavatory.

Issued

Dec 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3): Portable fire extinguishers were not subjected to an annual maintenance check:  a)   Production facility -  On or about September 9, 2015,  fire extinguishers in the facility near the front door, near the bathroom and in the production facility all did not have an inspection in the last 4 years.  This exposed employees to the greater possibility of a malfunction of a fire extinguisher if the employee attempted to use one of the fire extinguishers.

Issued

Dec 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employer did not develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met:    a) Office and production facility -  On or about September 9, 2015 the employer's written hazardous communication was not maintained and implemented concerning the requirements for labeling and other forms of warning, safety data sheets and how employee information and training will be met.

Issued

Dec 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:   a) Production facility - On or September 9, 2015 employees were not provided training concerning working or being exposed to chemicals such as but not limited to naphtha.