OSHA Inspection: EXIDE TECHNOLOGIES

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

Jun 9, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $5,500

Hazardous substances 2310

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): The floor of every work room was not maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, dry condition.  Where wet processes were used, drainage was not maintained, and false floors, platforms, mats, or other dry standing places were not provided when practicable:  The employer failed to protect employees working in the formation area and charging rooms.  This was most recently documented where employees were exposed to slip, trip and caustic burn hazards.  Acid and water had accumulated on the floor in the following locations:  a)  The area near the door way to the charging room had water and sulfuric acid on the floor from the leaking sulfuric acid tank on the initial fill line.  b)  The floor in the charging room had water up to 3 inches deep in the center of the room as a result of the cooling water leaking from the cascade system.

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

Nov 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $4,400

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(3): Every floor, working area, or passageway was not kept free from protruding nails, splinters, holes, or loose boards:  The employer failed to protect employees working in the formation area.  This was most recently documented where employees were exposed to slip and trip hazards in that sulfuric acid had corroded the floor and caused the floor to heave.  The heaving floor caused the bricks to come loose and resulted in holes in the following locations:  a)  Formation area on the north side of the acid top-off line, to the west of the portable eye wash station.  b)  Formation area on the north side of the acid top-off line, to the east of the portable eye wash station.

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

Nov 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $4,400 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2310

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(g)(2): Exit access(es) were not at least 28 inches (71.1 cm) wide at all points:    The employer failed to protect employees working in the charging room.  This was most recently documented where employees were exposed to burns from fires and smoke inhalation hazards in that the temporary supports for the electrical cable trays impeded egress paths for the following locations:    a)  at the end of the 1st line of batteries on charge.  Width measured 24 inches wide.    b)  at the end of the second row, from the west wall of the charging room.  Width measured 18 inches wide.    c)  between the second and third rows of charging lines, form the west wall of the charging room.  Width measured 20 inches wide.    d)  at the north end of the third row of charging lines, from the west wall of the charging room.  Width measured 18 inches wide.    e)  between the third and fourth charging lines, from the west wall of the charging room.  Width measured 14 inches wide.    f)  between the sixth and seventh charging lines, from the west wall of the charging room.  Width measured 16 inches wide.    g)  at the end of the seventh row of charging lines, from the west wall of the charging room.  Width measured 22 inches wide.     h)  between the seventh and eighth charging lines, from the west end of the charging room.  Width measured 24 inches wide.    i)   between the 10th and eleventh charging lines from the west end of the charging room. Width measured 22 inches wide.

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

May 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $3,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1)(vi): Electrical equipment was not free from recognized hazards that were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.  Arcing effects was not taken into consideration in determining the safety of the equipment:    The employer is failing to protect employees working on the main line in the formations department.  This was most recently documented where employees were exposed to electrical shock and fire hazards in that a 120 volt power strip was used to power a radio and computer equipment had experienced arcing and had been damaged.

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

May 18, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(a)(2)(i): Temporary electrical power and lighting installations rated 600 volts, nominal, or less were used for purposes other than those permitted in subparagraphs (A), (B) and (C) of this paragraph:      The employer is failing to protect employees working on the main line in the formations department.  This was most recently documented where employees were exposed to electrical shock and fire hazards in that 120 volt AC power strip was used with an extension cord to power fixed equipment.

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

Nov 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $6,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2310

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(6): Conductors or equipment were located in damp or wet locations; where exposed to gases, fumes, vapors, liquids, or other agents that had a deteriorating effect on the conductors or equipment; or where exposed to excessive temperatures and were not identified for use in the operating environment:    The employer is failing to protect employees working in the formation and battery charging rooms.   This was most recently documented where employees were exposed to electrical shock and burn hazards in that electrical equipment was not installed for use in areas where sulfuric acids were present for the following pieces of equipment:    a)  240 volt AC Formation Filler Pump Motor Controller located in the center of the main formation line near the eye wash.    b) 240 volt AC Formation Filler Pump Main control box and disconnect located in the center of the main formation line near the eye wash adjacent (to the east) of the AC Formation Filler Pump Motor Controller    c) 240 volt AC Motor Control Panel for ?Lake Warren? located just to the north side of the ?Lake Warren? pit.    d) 480 volt AC Breaker Panel ?W? mounted on the wall between ?Lake Warren? and the Charging Room.    e) 208 volt AC breaker panel ?WW? mounted on the wall between ?Lake Warren? and the Charging Room.    f) 208 volt AC breaker panel ?ZZ? mounted on the wall between ?Lake Warren? and the Charging Room.    g) 480 volt AC  motor control panel MCC #1 and corresponding 10 motor controller/disconnect switches of  MCC #1 mounted on the wall between ?Lake Warren? and the Charging Room.    h) 120 volt AC electrical outlets mounted on the wall between ?Lake Warren? and the Charging Room just to the west of MCC #1.    i) 480 volt AC PH Control box motor controller mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    j) 480 volt AC disconnect box between the PH Control Box motor controller and the 240 volt AC breaker panel ?DDD? mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    k) 240 volt AC breaker panel ?DDD? mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    l) 480/240 volt electrical box above the 240 volt AC breaker panel ?DDD? mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    m) 480 volt disconnect for the ?Northwest Pump? mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    n) 480 volt AC panel ?P-2? mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    o) 480 volt AC disconnect for the ?south pump disconnect? mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    p) 480 volt AC disconnect for the ?east pump? mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    q) 480 volt AC disconnect for the ?main cooling tower? mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    r) 480 volt AC disconnect for the ?cooling fan #4? mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    s) 480 volt AC disconnect for the ?cooling fan #3? mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    t) 480 volt electrical box above the disconnect for the ?cooling fan #4? mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    u) 480 volt electrical box above the disconnect for the ?cooling fan #3? mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    v) 480 volt electrical disconnect to the right of the ?cooling fan #3? disconnect mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    w) 480 volt electrical disconnect under the electrical box labeled ?#4? mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    x) 480 volt electrical disconnect ?D4A? mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    y) 480 volt electrical disconnect ?D4B? mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    z) 480 volt electrical disconnect ?cooling tower fans? mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.    aa) 480 volt motor control panel ?cascade pit? mounted on the wall between the east and west charging rooms near the water treatment pit.

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

Jul 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $4,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:      The employer is failing to protect employees working in the formation area.  This was most recently documented where employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards in that there was an unused opening in the door of the EN-3, 240 volt AC motor control cabinet.

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

Nov 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $56,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2310

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(6): Conductors or equipment were located in damp or wet locations; where exposed to gases, fumes, vapors, liquids, or other agents that had a deteriorating effect on the conductors or equipment; or where exposed to excessive temperatures and were not identified for use in the operating environment:    The employer is failing to protect employees working in the formation and battery charging rooms.  This was most recently documented where employees were exposed to struck-by and electrical shock hazards in that electrical equipment was not installed for use in areas where sulfuric acids were present for the following pieces of equipment:    a)  Battery Charging cable tray located along the north wall of the charging room on the first row of battery charge stations from the west wall of the charging room.    b) Battery Charging cable tray located along the north wall of the charging room on the second row of battery charge stations from the west wall of the charging room.    c) Battery Charging cable tray located along the north wall of the charging room between the second and third rows of battery charge stations from the west wall of the charging room.    d) Battery Charging cable tray located along the north wall of the charging room on the third row of battery charge stations from the west wall of the charging room.    e) Battery Charging cable tray located along the north wall of the charging room between the third and fourth rows of battery charge stations from the west wall of the charging room.    f) Battery Charging cable tray located on the fifth row of battery charging stations from the west wall of the charging at charging stations RR09-12 and RR13-16.    g) Battery Charging cable tray located along the north wall of the charging room between the fourth and fifth rows of battery charge stations from the west wall of the charging room.    h) Battery Charging cable tray located on the fifth row of battery charging stations from the west wall of the charging at charging station QQ01-04.    i) Battery Charging cable tray located along the north wall of the charging room between the sixth and seventh rows of battery charge stations from the west wall of the charging room.    j) Battery Charging cable tray located along the north wall of the charging room between the seventh and eighth rows of battery charge stations from the west wall of the charging room near charging station E29-32.    k) Battery Charging cable tray located along the north wall of the charging room between the seventh and eighth rows of battery charge stations from the west wall of the charging room.    l) Battery Charging cable tray located along the north wall of the charging room between the ninth and tenth rows of battery charge stations from the west wall of the charging room.    m) Battery Charging cable tray located along the north wall of the charging room between the tenth and eleventh rows of battery charge stations from the west wall of the charging room near charging station T29-32.    n) Battery Charging cable tray located along the north wall of the east charging room between the first and second rows of battery charge stations from the west wall of the east charging room.