OSHA Inspection: POLYCONVERSIONS, INC.

Issued

Mar 16, 2016

Abate by

Mar 28, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(e)(2): Stair rails did not consist of a top rail, intermediate rail and/or posts, with the vertical height not more than 34 inches (86.36 cm) nor less than 30 inches (76.2 cm) from upper surface of top rail to surface of tread in line with    Employees exiting and entering the facility, around the loading docks were exposed to a fall hazard because the stairway railings were not equipped with a midrail.

Issued

Mar 16, 2016

Abate by

Mar 28, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(d)(1):  Employees were not able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge:     Employees working in Building 1, were exposed to fire, smoke inhalation, slips, trips and falls hazards in the event of an emergency because the emergency doors had a slide lock installed.

Issued

Mar 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:     Employees working in Building 1, were exposed to fire and smoke inhalation in the event of an emergency because pallets of boxes were placed within the exit route.

Issued

Mar 16, 2016

Abate by

Apr 4, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, including, but not limited to Items of this section:     Polyconversions, Inc.  had employees exposed to caught-in and amputation hazards from performing servicing and maintenance activities, and the employer did not developed specific procedures that outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy.   The procedures shall clearly outline:     a. A specific statement of the intended use of the procedure,   b. Specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy,   c. Specific procedural steps for the placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices and the responsibility for them, and    d. Specific requirements for testing a machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy control measures.

Issued

Mar 16, 2016

Abate by

Apr 4, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $0 Reduced

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:    Polyconversions, Inc. had employees exposed to caught-in and amputation hazards while performing servicing and maintenance activities, and the employer did not conduct an annual periodic inspection.

Issued

Mar 16, 2016

Abate by

Apr 4, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

9 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(ii): The employer did not certify that periodic inspections of the energy control procedures had been performed:     Polyconversions, Inc. did not certify periodic inspections had been performed.  The certification shall include identification of the machine or equipment, the date of the inspection, the employees included in the inspection, and the person performing the inspection.

Issued

Mar 16, 2016

Abate by

Apr 4, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls are acquired by employees:     Polyconversions, Inc. had employees exposed to caught-in and amputation hazards while performing servicing and maintenance activities, and the employer did not provide training to ensure the energy control program was understood, and the employees acquired the knowledge and skills required to isolate the energy sources on the equipment.

Issued

Mar 16, 2016

Abate by

Apr 4, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

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:  Polyconversions, Inc.  had employees exposed to caught in and amputation hazards because one or more methods of machine guarding was not provided on the following:    a.  In building 1 on the North end, employees were exposed to contact with the unguarded ingoing nip points on the Vertrod Heat Sealer.      b.  In building 1, employees working at the Autogown #2 (AG2), were exposed to lacerations and other injuries from contact with rotating parts that were not guarded.     c.   In building 1, employees working at the Sleeve Machine were exposed to fractures from contact with the moving parts and an effective guard was not in place.         d. In building 2, on the Autogown #1 (AG1) employees were exposed to lacerations and other injuries and the employer did not ensure the interlock doors effectively guarded the equipment when the doors were left open.

Issued

Mar 16, 2016

Abate by

Apr 4, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $0 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):   Polyconversions, Inc.  had employees exposed to caught-in hazards and the point of operation was not guarded, while working on the Vertrod Thermal Impulse Heat Sealers.

Issued

Mar 16, 2016

Abate by

Mar 28, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Installation and use. Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling.      Polyconversions, Inc. had employees exposed to electrical shock in building 2, because the metal outlet boxes were not installed and used in accordance with instructions included in the listing, labeling, or certification.