OSHA Inspection: INNOVATIVE METALS COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,275 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to struck-by and crush-by hazards:    a. On or about 10/1/2015, at the 5 ton Crane 24 S/N 5560-1, scale hook; employees were exposed to struck-by and crushing hazards where the safety latch was worn and would not close leaving a 1 inch gap between the latch an hook tip. The hook was in use supporting an Ashley sling S/N 479829.13;    b. On or about 10/1/2015, at the OMI 5 ton, Crane 25 S/N 5560-2 scale hook, employees were exposed to struck-by and crushing hazards where the safety latch was worn and would not close leaving a 1 inch gap between the latch an hook tip. The hook was in use supporting a Gunnerbo 2 legged, chain sling;    c. On or about 10/1/2015, at the Vulcan 10 ton Crane 22 S/N 596 hook; employees were exposed to struck-by and crushing hazards where the safety latch was worn and would not close leaving a 1 inch gap between the latch an hook tip. The hook was in use supporting an illegible 6 foot sling.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,275 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(d)(1): Employee(s) were not able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge:    On or about 10/1/2015: where emergency exit doors were locked during normal working hours;    a. at the Bradbury Bay, employees were exposed to smoke inhalation and thermal burn hazards where the designated emergency exit was locked with a slide bolt during normal working hours,    b. at the Slit line, employees were exposed to smoke inhalation and thermal burn hazards where the designated emergency exit was locked with a slide bolt during normal working hours.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Abate by

Apr 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(4): Emergency exit lights designed to protect employees during an emergency, were not in proper working order at all times:    On or about 10/1/2015, at the shipping office; employees are exposed to smoke inhalation and thermal burn hazards exist where the designated emergency exit signs were not lit and floods did not work.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Abate by

May 20, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,185 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:    On or about 10/1/2015 at 4648 S. Old Peachtree Road, Norcross, GA; where employees performing cleaning, servicing, and maintenance operations of machines including but not limited to:     a. The employer did not develop, document, or utilize specific procedures to control potential energy sources (electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic) for the Wysong press brake exposing employees to amputation, electrical, caught-in, & struck-by related injuries.    b. Employees were performing maintenance on the slit line and was not locked out exposing the employees to electrical and pneumatic potential energy. There were no specific procedures developed or documented.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,275 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(i)(9): Synthetic web slings were not immediately removed from service for having snags, cuts and tears.    a. On or about 10/1/2015, at the loading bay, employees performing lifting operations of materials to be shipped were exposed to struck-by and crushing hazards where the 8 foot Ashley sling, S/N illegible, was visibly damaged, showing the red core yarns through the cuts in the nylon. The sling was not inspected daily before use;    b. On or about 10/1/2015, at the loading bay, employees performing lifting operations of materials to be shipped were exposed to struck-by and crushing hazards where the 12 foot Ashley sling, S/N 1128996-001-003, was visibly damaged, showing the red core yarns through the cuts in the nylon. The sling was not inspected daily before use;    c. On or about 10/1/2015, at the loading bay, employees performing lifting operations of materials to be shipped were exposed to struck-by and crushing hazards where the 12 foot Ashley sling, S/N 1171661-001-003, was visibly damaged, showing the red core yarns through the cuts in the nylon. The sling was not inspected daily before use.    d. On or about 10/1/2015 at the Bradbury bay, employees performing lifting operations of the skeleton roll former were exposed to struck-by and crushing hazards where the un-labeled, visibly damaged/ worn sling left in a choking  configuration on the equipment.    e. On or about 10/1/2015 at the Bradbury bay, employees performing lifting operations of the skeleton roll former were exposed to struck-by and crushing hazards where the un-labeled, visibly damaged/ worn sling left in a choking configuration on the equipment.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,185 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:    a. On or about 10/1/2015, at the Cincinnati shears S/N 49217, employees were exposed to amputation hazards where the foot operated press break was not guarded against employees placing their hands into the point of operation.  Employees performing collecting of cut materials and scrap operations at the back of the equipment were exposed to struck-by and amputation hazards where the rear of the machine was not guarded against entry during normal operations;    b. On or about 10/1/2015, at the Jet lathe, S/N GH-1440ZX; where employees performing turning operations were exposed to struck-by hazards where the chuck guard was not installed;     c. On or about 10/1/2015, at the Flat lock machine aluminum folder; an employee was observed performing metal folding operations and exposed to amputation and caught-in hazards where the operators side and the rear of the machine were not guarded allowing for exposure to the point of operation that was opened to 2 inches tall X 36 inches wide.    d. On or about 10/1/2015, at the Tilt-A-Coil, tip table; employees loading and unloading coils are exposed to struck-by and crush hazards where the coil tipper is not guarded.    e. On or about 10/1/2105 at the RAS bender, an employee was observed performing metal bending operations with his fingers within inches of the dieset.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(2)(i): All exposed part(s) of horizontal shafting seven (7) feet or less from floor or working platform were not protected by stationary casing(s) enclosing shafting completely or by trough(s) enclosing sides and top or sides and bottom of shafting:    On or about 10/1/2015, at the Flat lock, aluminum folding machine, employees performing bending operations were exposed to a rotating shaft 17 inches above the floor that was not guarded.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven -7 feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:    On or about 10/1/2015, at the Flat lock, aluminum folding machine, employees performing bending operations and workers passing by the back side were exposed to amputation and caught-in hazards where:    a. one (1) gear and sprocket located 23 inches above the floor,    b. one (1) gear and sprocket located 23 inches above the floor,    c. one (1) gear and sprocket 17 inches above the floor, were not guarded.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,275 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9): The distance between the abrasive wheel periphery(s) and the adjustable tongue or the end of the safety guard peripheral member at the top exceeded one fourth inch:    a. On or about 10/1/2015, in the machine shop; employees performing grinding operations on the Baldor #45 pedestal grinder were exposed to struck-by related injuries where the right adjustable tongue guard was opened to its widest adjustment and resting on the casing of the grinders top;    b. On or about 10/1/2015, in the machine shop; employees performing grinding operations on the Baldor #45 pedestal grinder were exposed to struck-by related injuries where the left adjustable tongue guard was not installed;    c. On or about 10/1/2015, in the machine shop; employees performing grinding operations on the Dayton E427 pedestal grinder were exposed to struck-by related injuries where the right adjustable tongue guard was not installed; and    d. On or about 10/1/2015, in the machine shop; employees performing grinding operations on the Dayton E427 pedestal grinder were exposed to struck-by related injuries where the left adjustable tongue guard was not installed.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,275 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 P.S.I.:    On or about 10/01/2015, throughout the facility, employees performing cleaning operations of themselves and machinery of metal filings, wood dust, and debris were exposed to embolism and struck-by related injuries where cleaning nozzles were not regulated and identified to be able to be dead-ended where not fluted. The readings of various measurements at output were above 100 P.S.I. and the house compressor was set to 120 P.S.I.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,275 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(4)(iii): Oxygen cylinders in storage were not separated from fuel-gas cylinders  a minimum distance of 20 feet:    On or about 10/06/2015, at the cylinder storage area; employees were exposed to hazards related to potential missile and explosion where oxygen and acetylene cylinders were stored within 12 feet of each other.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,365 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(g)(5): The path to ground from circuits, equipment, and enclosures was not permanent, continuous, and effective:    On or about 10/1/2015 in the welding shop; employees were exposed to shock hazards where the outer metal casing of the TPI 42inch industrial floor fan was energized due to the extension cord providing power missing the grounding pin.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $49,000 · Current $7,000 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):    On or about 10/01/2015, at the Wysong press break S/N MTI-216X; employees were exposed to amputation hazards where the press break was not guarded.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

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:  On or about 10/1/2015, at the loading bay cage, employees expected to fight incipient level fires with portable fire extinguishers were exposed to smoke inhalation and burn hazards where the portable fire extinguisher was located on the other side of a closed fence obstructing access and required employees to go around the fence to get to the extinguisher.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Abate by

May 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2): Portable fire extinguishers were not visually inspected at least monthly:  On or about 10/1/2015, throughout the plant, employees that are expected to fight incipient level fires were exposed to smoke inhalation and burn hazards where the portable fire extinguishers were not inspected on a monthly basis to insure operational for use in case of fire:  a. in the compressor room that was last inspected March 17, 2010 and  b. at the LP gas storage area was last inspected November, 2013.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Abate by

May 6, 2016

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:  On or about 10/1/2015, employees that are expected to fight incipient level fires were exposed to smoke inhalation and burn hazards where the portable fire extinguishers were not inspected on an annual basis to insure operational for use in case of fire. There were portable extinguishers identified to be last inspected on:  a. November, 2013 (at the Propane Storage area, outdoors); & b. March 17, 2010 (by the air compressor, indoors)

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:  On or about 10/1/2015, at the Wysong press break; employees were exposed to electrical shock and burn hazards where a relocatable 110V power tap, not designed for industrial use, was used to power a shop-vacuum and a pedestal fan. There was also an unused extension cord attached.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:  On or about 10/1/2015, at the Flat Sheet Line, employees working at or around the line were exposed to 480V electrical hazards where there were knockouts missing from the electrical power box that was located on the floor.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): Junction boxes  were not provided with covers:  On or about 10/1/2015, in the mechanic's storage area, employees storing or removing items from the metal shelving unit were exposed to 110V live wiring from an uncovered junction box located 64 inches above the walking/ working surface, next to the metal shelving unit.

Issued

Mar 22, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords were not connected to devices and fittings so that tension would not be transmitted to joints or terminal screws:  a. On or about 10/1/2015, at the 300 line power plug coming from the Square D, main power box labeled 1HP3# 1 3 5, employees plugging and unplugging the line for servicing tasks were exposed to electric shock where there was ineffective strain relief in place allowing the outer jacket to be pulled away from the plug housing, exposing the 30 Amp, 3 phase, 480 V terminals inside;   b. On or about 10/1/2015, at the Jet table saw, near the Quadro line, by shipping, employees performing cutting operations were exposed to electrical shock and burn hazards where the 120 V electrical cord was pulled away from the start/ stop button housing;  c. On or about 10/1/2015, at the Jet table saw, near the Quadro line, by shipping, employees performing cutting operations were exposed to electrical shock and burn hazards where the 120 V extension cord powering the Jet table saw was not protected against strain. The outer jacket was pulled out and away from of the female end exposing the terminals inside.