OSHA Inspection: SOLAR SEAL OF CONNECTICUT

Issued

Feb 9, 2016

Abate by

Feb 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,970 · Current $1,780 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall:    WORKPLACE: The employer did not assess the task of cutting wood on a table saw to determine the hazards associated with the work and what if any personal protective equipment (PPE) would be necessary.

Issued

Feb 9, 2016

Abate by

Feb 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1): The employer shall provide training to each employee who is required by this section to use PPE. Each such employee shall be trained to know at least the following:  WORKPLACE: The employer did not provide training and information to employees in the needs and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and/or in the hazard assessment for PPE.

Issued

Feb 9, 2016

Abate by

Feb 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,970 · Current $1,780 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): The procedures shall clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, the specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy:    WORKPLACE: The employers energy control procedure for the Tempering Furnace did not include specific step by step procedures shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing the machine to control the hazardous energy.

Issued

Feb 9, 2016

Abate by

Feb 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,970 · Current $1,780 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(d): Inspections. Each day before being used, the sling and all fastenings and attachments shall be inspected for damage or defects by a competent person designated by the employer. Additional inspections shall be performed during sling use, where service conditions warrant. Damaged or defective slings shall be immediately removed from service.    WORKPLACE: The employer did not ensure that employees conducted daily inspections of nylon polyester slings in the following locations for defects and/or damage;    A.    Plant A, Glass Storage Area  B.    Plant B, Glass Storage Area

Issued

Feb 9, 2016

Abate by

Feb 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(i)(9): Removal from service. Synthetic web slings shall be immediately removed from service if any of the following conditions such as (but not limited to the following) are present; broken or worn stitches.  WORKPLACE: Synthetic slings in the Glass storage area of Plant B were determined to be worn  with the red warning threads showing for more than two (2) months and the slings were not removed from service.

Issued

Feb 9, 2016

Abate by

Feb 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $6,930 · Current $4,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(c)(1): Each circular hand-fed ripsaw shall be guarded by a hood which shall completely enclose that portion of the saw above the table and that portion of the saw above the material being cut. The hood and mounting shall be arranged so that the hood will automatically adjust itself to the thickness of and remain in contact with the material being cut but it shall not offer any considerable resistance to insertion of material to saw or to passage of the material being sawed. The hood shall be made of adequate strength to resist blows and strains incidental to reasonable operation, adjusting, and handling, and shall be so designed as to protect the operator from flying splinters and broken saw teeth. It shall be made of material that is soft enough so that it will be unlikely to cause tooth breakage. The hood shall be so mounted as to insure that its operation will be positive, reliable, and in true alignment with the saw; and the mounting shall be adequate in strength to resist any reasonable side thrust or other force tending to throw it out of line.    WORKPLACE: The upper blade guard on the Roybi 10 inch table saw, serial number GW14385D1B27061, used by employees  to rip lengths of 2 X 4 was secured in the upright position exposing the operator to the rotating saw blade.

Issued

Feb 9, 2016

Abate by

Feb 22, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,970 · Current $1,780 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Guarding. Pulleys, any parts of which are seven (7) feet or less from the floor or working platform, shall be guarded in accordance with the standards specified in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section. Pulleys serving as balance wheels (e.g., punch presses) on which the point of contact between belt and pulley is more than six feet six inches (6 ft. 6 in.) from the floor or platform may be guarded with a disk covering the spokes.    WORKPLACE: The expanded metal guard on the Billco Washer Machine, number 97123 was inadequate in that the top and rear 16 inches (between the top of the machine and top of the guard) was missing.

Issued

Feb 9, 2016

Abate by

Feb 22, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 shall extend 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 shall be fully enclosed in accordance with paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section.  WORKPLACE: The expanded metal guard on the Billco Washer Machine, number 97123 was inadequate in that the top and rear 16 inches (between the top of the machine and top of the guard of the guard was missing exposing employees to the ingoing nip points of the three (3) rotating belts.

Issued

Feb 9, 2016

Abate by

Feb 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,970 · Current $1,780 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Unless specifically permitted otherwise in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section, flexible cords and cables may not be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure;    WORKPLACE: The orange extension cord used to energize a vacuum, under-the-hook lifting device, no name or data plate was used in lieu of fixed wiring in that the cord was wrapped around and secured to a metal frame that was attached to the building.

Issued

Feb 9, 2016

Abate by

Feb 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables shall be connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief is provided that will prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws.  WORKPLACE: The attachment plug of the orange extension cord, used to energize the vacuum, under the hook lifting device, ne name or data plate was damaged where the screw secures the head together, putting tension on the internal wiring and terminals.

Issued

Feb 9, 2016

Abate by

Feb 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $13,860 · Current $7,830 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): General requirements. Employers shall select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.    WORKPLACE: The employer did not provide the appropriate hand protection to employee(s) ripping wood on a table saw.      Solar Seal of Connecticut (previously known as Insulpane of Connecticut) was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard (29 CFR 1910.138(a) ), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 897446, citation number 1, item number 6, affirmed as a final order on 11/2/2013, with respect to a workplace located at 34 Edmond Street, Hamden, CT 06517.

Issued

Feb 9, 2016

Abate by

Feb 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,940 · Current $3,560 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(ii): The employer shall certify that the periodic inspections have been performed. The certification shall identify the machine or equipment on which the energy control procedure was being utilized, the date of the inspection, the employees included in the inspection, and the person performing the inspection.    WORKPLACE: The employer did not certify that periodic inspections were performed at least annually.     Solar Seal of Connecticut (previously known as Insulpane of Connecticut) was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard (29 CFR 1910.147(c) (6) (i)), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 897446, citation number 1, item number 7a, affirmed as a final order on 11/2/2013, with respect to a workplace located at 34 Edmond Street, Hamden, CT 06517.

Issued

Feb 9, 2016

Abate by

Feb 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,940 · Current $3,560 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(j)(2)(iii): Hooks with deformation or cracks. Visual inspection daily; monthly inspection with a certification record which includes the date of inspection, the signature of the person who performed the inspection and the serial number, or other identifier, of the hook inspected. For hooks with cracks or having more than 15 percent in excess of normal throat opening or more than 10�° twist from the plane of the unbent hook refer to paragraph (l)(3)(iii)(a) of this section.    WORKPLACE: The employer did not conduct monthly inspections of the hooks with signed reports on the eleven (11) overhead cranes and hoists throughout the facility.    Solar Seal of Connecticut (previously known as Insulpane of Connecticut) was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard (29 CFR 1910.179(j) (2) (iii)), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 897446, citation number 1, item number 8a, affirmed as a final order on 11/2/2013, with respect to a workplace located at 34 Edmond Street, Hamden, CT 06517.

Issued

Feb 9, 2016

Abate by

Feb 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(j)(2)(iv): Hoist chains, including end connections, for excessive wear, twist, distorted links interfering with proper function, or stretch beyond manufacturer's recommendations. Visual inspection daily; monthly inspection with a certification record which includes the date of inspection, the signature of the person who performed the inspection and an identifier of the chain which was inspected.  WORKPLACE: The employer did not conduct monthly inspections of the hoist chains with signed reports on the eleven (11) overhead cranes and hoists throughout the facility.    Solar Seal of Connecticut (previously known as Insulpane of Connecticut) was previously cited for a violation of an equivalent occupational safety and health standard 29 CFR 1910.179(j) (2) (iii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 897446, citation number 1, item number 8a, affirmed as a final order on 11/2/2013 with respect to a workplace located at 34 Edmond Street, Hamden, CT 06517.

Issued

Feb 9, 2016

Abate by

Feb 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(m)(1): Running ropes. A thorough inspection of all ropes shall be made at least once a month and a certification record which includes the date of inspection, the signature of the person who performed the inspection and an identifier for the ropes which were inspected shall be kept on file where readily available to appointed personnel. Any deterioration, resulting in appreciable loss of original strength, shall be carefully observed and determination made as to whether further use of the rope would constitute a safety hazard.   WORKPLACE: The employer did not conduct monthly inspections of the running ropes with signed reports on the overhead cranes throughout the facility.   Solar Seal of Connecticut (previously known as Insulpane of Connecticut) was previously cited for an equivalent violation of this occupational safety and health standard (29 CFR 1910.179(j) (2) (iii)), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 897446, citation number 1, item number 8b, affirmed as a final order on 11/2/2013, with respect to a workplace located at 34 Edmond Street, Hamden, CT 06517.

Issued

Feb 9, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, and service rooms shall be kept clean and orderly and in a sanitary condition.  WORKPLACE: Access to the emergency eyewash station was partially blocked by several pieces of wood and metal frames.

Issued

Feb 9, 2016

Abate by

Feb 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(i): Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings shall be protected from abrasion, and openings through which conductors enter shall be effectively closed.  WORKPLACE: The electrical disconnect box energizing the dust controller in the woodworking department, had a knockout opening that was not closed.