OSHA Inspection: BISON GEAR & ENGINEERING CORPORATION

Issued

Jan 19, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

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:    Northwest, AC/DC motors department, 26-frame and 32-frame commutator cutting lathes - On or about October 27, 2015, and on subsequent dates, the established hazardous energy control (lockout/tagout) procedure did not clearly and specifically require an orderly shutdown and isolation of all hazardous energy sources during servicing activity, including "setup" and "troubleshooting." Employees assigned to perform such servicing activity had their finger(s) and hand(s) exposed to caught-in hazards capable of causing amputation.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 19, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(1): When lockout or tagout devices temporarily were removed from the energy isolating device and the machine or equipment was energized to test or position the machine, equipment or component thereof, the sequence of actions were not followed:    Northwest, AC/DC motors department, 26-frame and 32-frame commutator cutting lathes - On or about October 27, 2015, and on subsequent dates, the hazardous energy control (lockout tagout) procedure did not include a sequence of actions to be followed during energized testing or positioning of the equipment in accordance with the applicable standard provisions (f)(1)(i) through (f)(1)(iv) to:    (a) clear machines of tools and materials;   (b) remove employees from the hazardous areas around the machine;   (c) remove the lockout/tagout devices;   (d) energize the machine and employ effective employee protection while testing or positioning machinery;   (e) and, turn off all systems, isolate the machine from the energy source, and reapply lockout/tagout devices as specified, if additional servicing or maintenance is required.    Employees were assigned to perform servicing tasks (setup) of the energized and operating equipment that exposed their hand(s)/finger(s) to caught-in hazards at pinch point(s) likely to result in amputation.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 19, 2016

Abate by

Apr 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) did not cover the actions listed in and was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6):    Northwest, AC/DC motors department - On or about October 27, 2015, and on subsequent dates, employees servicing and inspecting components 26-frame and 32-frame commutator cutting lathes in areas where unexpected start-up could cause injury were not required to apply energy controls in the following sequence:     (a) prepare for shut down by recognizing energy hazards and its controls,  (b) turn off and shut down the machines,  (c) physically locate and operate energy isolating devices in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source,  (d) affix lockout or tagout devices to each energy isolating device,  (e) verify that isolation and deenergization of the machine or equipment have been accomplished.    Employees' hand(s)/finger(s) were exposed to caught-in hazards at the ram block carriage and tooling. Use of the stop and/or emergency stop function (alternative measures) did not provide effective protection against unexpected start-up.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 19, 2016

Abate by

Feb 21, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 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:    Northwest, AC/DC motors department - On or about October 27, 2015, and on subsequent dates, operators were assigned to run production operations on the unguarded 26-frame and 32-frame commutator cutting lathes that allowed access to the point-of-operation and the associated danger zone during operating cycles. Employees had their finger(s) and hand(s) exposed to caught-in hazards likely to result in amputation.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).