OSHA Inspection: PLASTIC RECYCLING TECHNOLOGY ATLANTA, INC.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level was not guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) on all open sides.  On or about September 17, 2015 maintenance employees were exposed to fall hazards where the number two grinder platform in the back warehouse area was not provided with a standard rail exposing employees to falls from 7 feet, 7-1/4 inches.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit routes were not free and unobstructed.  On or about September 17, 2015 the exit route on the exterior of the exit discharge located on the north wall of the back warehouse was obstructed by various items including, but not limited to, wood pallets, plastic pallets, plastic shelves, equipment components, metal bins, etc. creating risk of injury to employees in the event of an external evacuation.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Apr 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,700 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.  On or about September 17, 2015 maintenance employees were exposed to release of energy hazards where the employer did not document control of hazardous energy procedures for the "Merritt Polycycle" reprocessing extruder line one to address both electrical and hydraulic energy sources.  b. On or about September 17, 2015 maintenance employees were exposed to release of energy hazards where the employer did not document control of hazardous energy procedures for the "Merritt Polycycle" reprocessing extruder line two to address both electrical and hydraulic energy sources.  c.  On or about September 17, 2015 maintenance employees were exposed to release of energy hazards where the employer did not document control of hazardous energy procedures for the "Merritt Polycycle" reprocessing extruder line four to address both electrical and hydraulic energy sources.  d.  On or about September 17, 2015 maintenance employees were exposed to release of energy hazards where the employer did not document control of hazardous energy procedures for the guillotine cutter adjacent to the warehouse area affecting electrical and hydraulic energy sources.  e.  On or about September 17, 2015 line feeders were exposed to release of energy hazards where the employer did not document or implement control of hazardous energy procedures for the "Weima" grinder on the extruder line two where line feeders ascend the conveyor to remove metals contamination from plastic stock.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Apr 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Each authorized employee 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.  On or about September 17, 2015 the employer did not provide control of hazardous energy training to the maintenance managers and line feeders responsible for performing servicing and maintenance on equipment including, but not limited to grinders/shredders, screw conveyors, hydraulic rams, guillotine cutter, and belt conveyors.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Apr 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(B): Each affected employee was not instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure.  On or about September 17, 2015 the employer did not provide all affected employees with control of hazardous energy training where servicing and maintenance is performed on equipment including, but not limited to, grinders/shredders, screw conveyors, hydraulic rams, guillotine cutters, and belt conveyors.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Mar 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1): The employer did not mount, locate and identify portable fire extinguishers so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.  a. On or about September 17, 2015 employees were exposed to hazards when accessing a portable fire extinguisher mounted to an I-beam behind the guillotine cutter where access to the extinguisher was limited to a 20 inch path in an area of trip and electrical hazards.  b. On or about September 17, 2015 employees were exposed to hazards when accessing a portable fire extinguisher mounted to the wall behind the guillotine cutter and grinders one and three where access to the extinguisher would expose the employees to adjacent electrical hazards of an open, 480 volt box.  c. On or about September 17, 2015 employees were exposed to hazards when accessing a portable fire extinguisher mounted to the wall behind the propane gas storage cage.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Mar 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(4): The employer did not assure that portable fire extinguishers are maintained in a fully charged and operable condition.  On or about September 17, 2015 employees in the back warehouse were exposed to fire and smoke hazards where the employer did not ensure that the portable fire extinguisher on the west wall of the back warehouse was adequately charged.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Mar 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2): Portable extinguishers or hose used in lieu thereof under paragraph (d)(3) of this section were not visually inspected monthly.  On September 17, 2015 employees throughout the facility located at 5682 E Ponce de Leon Avenue in Stone Mountain Georgia were exposed to fire hazards where the employer did not ensure that portable fire extinguishers were visually inspected monthly.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Mar 31, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(2): The employer did not provide the education required in paragraph (g)(1) of this section upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter.  On or about September 17, 2015 employees throughout the facility were exposed to fire and smoke hazards where the employer provided portable fire extinguishers for voluntary use by employees but did not develop an educational program to familiarize the employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use ant the hazards of incipient stage fire fighting.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Mar 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(b): Bags, containers, etc. stored in tiers were not limited in height so that they are stable and secure against sliding or collapse.  Octagon bulk bins, "Gaylord boxes", labeled to indicate a maximum height of three were stacked four boxes high throughout production and warehousing areas.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Mar 31, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding were 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. On or about September 16, 2015 employees were exposed to amputation hazards where the guillotine cutter located under Roof Fan 5 in the production/warehouse area was not effectively guarded to protect the operator and other employees in the area from the moving parts of the machine.  b.  On or about October 16, 2015 employees were exposed to amputation hazards where the Line 1 extruder ram was not guarded.  c.  On or about October 16, 2015 employees were exposed to amputation hazards where the Line 2 conveyor roller and belt were not guarded adjacent to the Line two shredder hopper.  d.  On or about October 16, 2015 employees were exposed to amputation hazards where the Line 2 classifier table was not guarded to protect employees from rotating parts and nip and pinch points.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Mar 31, 2016

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulleys, any parts of which are seven (7) feet or less from the floor or working platform, were not guarded in accordance with the standards specified in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section.   a.  On or about October 16, 2015 employees were exposed to amputation hazards where power transmission pulley(s) located 41-5/16 inches above the floor on the Line 2 classifier table were not guarded.  b.  On or about October 16, 2015 employees were exposed to amputation hazards where power transmission pulley(s) located on the number two grinder in the back warehouse were exposed due to a damaged guard creating a 45-3/4 inch by 5 inch opening.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Mar 31, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i): Where both runs of horizontal belts are 42 inches or less from the floor, the belt were not fully enclosed in accordance with paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section.  Employees were exposed to amputation hazards where the horizontal power transmission belts located at 41-5/16 inches above the floor on the Line 2 classifier table were not guarded.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Mar 31, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i): Vertical and inclined belts were not enclosed by a guard conforming to standards in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section.   On or about October 16, 2015 employees were exposed to amputation hazards where inclined power transmission belts located on the north side of the second grinder on the number two grinder line were exposed due to a damaged guard creating a 45-3/4 inch by 5 inch opening.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Mar 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(f)(2):  Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its disconnecting means or overcurrent device, was not legibly marked to indicate its purpose, unless located and arranged so the purpose is evident.  On or about September 17, 2015 the employer did not label for purpose the wall mounted electrical disconnects located  behind the guillotine in the production/warehouse area.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Mar 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(A): The depth of the working space in the direction of access to live parts was less than indicated in Table S-1.  a. On or about September 17, 2015 the employer did not ensure that the space in front of wall mounted electrical equipment on the north side of the guillotine cutter was maintained in accordance with table S-1 where equipment, boxes, and an electrical block limited the space to 20 inches.  b. On or about September 17, 2015 the employer did not ensure that the space in front of wall mounted electrical equipment on the east wall of the back warehouse near the northeast corner was maintained in accordance with table S-1 where miscellaneous materials and equipment were stored on the floor up to the electrical equipment.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Mar 8, 2016

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.  On or about September 17, 2015 employees were exposed to electrical hazards where the hinged cover on an electrical control panel mounted behind the guillotine and energized to 480 volts was lacking a lock or latch and was open exposing visible conductors.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Mar 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $950 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in cabinets, boxes, and fittings were not effectively closed.  a. On or about September 17, 2015 the employer did not ensure that an unused opening was effectively closed on the "Siemens" 480 volt electrical disconnect box located behind the guillotine cutter.  b. On or about September 17, 2015 the employer did not ensure that an unused opening was effectively closed on the "Square D" 480 volt electrical disconnect box located in the back warehouse at the "Retech" rotary grinder.  c. On or about September 17, 2015 the employer did not ensure that an unused opening was effectively closed on the "Retech" rotary grinder control panel located in the back warehouse.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Mar 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): All pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers identified for the purpose.  On or about September 17, 2015 employees in the back warehouse area at the grinder two line were exposed to electrical hazards where the junction box on the "Lincoln Motors" model SRF4S.033TCN61X10 460 volt electric motor on the "EMI Plastics Equipment" model FM-30-12-40 conveyor was not provided with a cover.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Mar 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.  On or about October 16, 2015 employees at the line four grinder platform were exposed to electrical hazards where a flexible cord was used as a substitute for fixed wiring to supply power to a "Jiangmen Jinling Fan Manufacturing Co., Ltd." model FE-75D3fOL(E) 30 inch drum fan.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief is provided that will prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws.  a.  On or about October 16, 2015 conductors entering the electric motor of the Line 1 classifier table were not provided strain relief.  b.  On or about October 16, 2015 conductors entering the electric motor of the Line 1 spin dryer were not provided strain relief.  c.  On or about October 16, 2015 employees at the line four grinder platform were exposed to electrical hazards where a flexible cord lacking strain relief was used to supply power to a "Jiangmen Jinling Fan Manufacturing Co., Ltd." model FE-75D3fOL(E) 30 inch drum fan.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Mar 31, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1): The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces are permit-required confined spaces.   On or about September 17, 2015 employees were exposed to hazards associated with permit required confined spaces including, but not limited to grinder hoppers and shredder hoppers in the production and warehouse areas where the employer did not evaluate the workplace to identify permit spaces.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Apr 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The 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.    On or about September 17, 2015 employees performing maintenance work were exposed hazards associated with chemicals including, but not limited to, welding wire, hydraulic fluid, propane, and motor oil where the employer did not develop, implement, and maintain a written hazard communication program at the site.

Issued

Feb 25, 2016

Abate by

Apr 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): The employer did not provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new chemical hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area.  On or about September 17, 2015 a maintenance employee was exposed to hazards associated with chemicals including, but not limited to, welding wire, hydraulic fluid, propane, and motor oil where the employer did not provide the employee with hazard communication program training.