OSHA Inspection: ZIMMERMAN METALS, INC.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Sep 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,300 · Current $3,445 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Points of operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employees from having any part of their body in the danger zones during operating cycles:    (a) Zimmerman Metals, Inc., @ 201 East 58th Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80216.  On or before March 10, 2016, as part of the injury/accident prevention responsibilities under its safety program, the employer did not ensure that the Cincinnati 5ILS Hydraulic Shear was properly guarded to safeguard employees from hazards such as those created by the point of operation.  Employees had access to this shear's point of operation during its operating cycles because the metal barrier guard was set too high.  This condition exposed employees to amputation hazards.    (b) Zimmerman Metals, Inc., @ 201 East 58th Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80216.  On February 23, 2016 an employee was cutting a small piece of metal on the east end section of the shear.  The shear metal hold-down devices (plungers) came down on the fingers of the employee while he was holding down the small piece of metal.  The employee experienced an amputation of two finger tips.  Both end sections of the shear were not provided with adequate barrier guarding to safeguard employees from hazards such as those created by the point of operation when materials were being processed during the operating cycles. This condition exposed employees to amputation hazards.    Abatement Note: Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be 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.  Examples of guarding methods include barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, and electronic safety devices.