OSHA Inspection: SWARTFAGER WELDING, INC.

Issued

Nov 23, 2015

Abate by

Dec 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: 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 crush injuries, caught between, and struck by hazards from industrial trucks not being equipped with operator restraint devices.      A.)  Swartfager Welding, Inc. - On or about 10/6/15, and at times prior thereto, an employees were operating a Yale industrial fork truck (serial #276706)  and were not wearing a seatbelt or restraint device.  The Yale forklift was not equipped with a seat belt.

Issued

Nov 23, 2015

Abate by

Dec 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,700 · Current $2,700

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.)  Swartfager Welding, Inc., - On or about 10/6/15, and at times prior thereto, to the company had not performed annual periodic inspections with authorized employees.  The employees performed servicing and maintenance on equipment that included, but was not limited to, forklifts, lathes, cranes, and welders.  Servicing and maintenance included, but was not limited to, preventative maintenance and repairs.

Issued

Nov 23, 2015

Abate by

Dec 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l):      A.)  Swartfager Welding, Inc. - On or about 10/6/15, and at times prior thereto, employees were operating  fork trucks, that included, but were not limited to, Yale industrial fork truck (serial #276706).  Employees had not received forklift training on workplace related topics, in accordance with 1910.178 (l)(3)(ii) (A)-(I).      B.)  Swartfager Welding, Inc. - On or about 10/6/15, and at times prior thereto, employees were operating fork trucks, that included, but were not limited to, Yale industrial fork truck (serial #276706).  Employees had not been reevaluated by the employer every three years or after a near miss or an accident.

Issued

Nov 23, 2015

Abate by

Dec 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $700 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.)  Swartfager Welding, Inc., lathe department; Trak TRL 2460X - On or about 10/6/15, a cap that covered a rotating spindle was not guarded.  The cap rotated and was installed to cover the rotating spindle.  The cap protruded 2 1/2 inches beyond the machinery.    B.)  Swartfager Wlelding, Inc., lathe department; Trak TRL 2460X - On or about 10/6/15, and at times prior thereto, the rotating stock of the lathe protruded up to 6 inches from the side of the machine toward the walkway.  A guard was not erected to protect employees from the rotating stock that protrudes outside of the machine.

Issued

Nov 23, 2015

Abate by

Dec 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $3,300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(4)(iii): Oxygen cylinders in storage were not separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one 1/2 hour:      A.)  Swartfager Welding, Inc.,/Bay Door Area: - On or about 10/6/15, and at times prior thereto, a full oxygen tank and acetylene cylinders were stored together.  The two sets of cylinders were separated by a 1/4 in plate of metal.  The metal plate did not meet the fire resistance requirements.    B.)  Swartfager Welding, Inc.,/Bay Door Area: - On or about 10/6/15, and at times prior thereto, oxygen tanks and acetylene tanks were stored together with no barrier in between them.