OSHA Inspection: FOX TANK COMPANY

Issued

2016-07-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-08-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1400.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.135(a)(1): Protective helmets were not worn by employees when working in areas where there was potential for injury to the head from falling objects:  On or about April 13, 2016, and at times prior thereto, employees were not required to wear hard hats in areas of the facility where overhead hazards were present, exposing employee to the hazard of being struck in the head by tanks and materials.

Issued

2016-07-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-08-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4900.00 · Current $2100.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section.  On or about April 13, 2016, employees were exposed to the hazards associated with unexpected start-up of machines in that specific, written Lockout/Tagout procedures were not developed and utilized for such machines as, but not limited to, the HTC Shears.

Issued

2016-07-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-08-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Authorized employee(s) did not receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation:  On or about April 13, 2016, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure that each employee who was assigned to perform maintenance on machines and equipment had received training on the methods and means necessary to control hazardous energy sources, exposing employees to the hazards of being struck by and/or caught in machines, and/or receiving electrical shock.

Issued

2016-07-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-08-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4900.00 · Current $2100.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(a)(4): Modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operation of powered industrial truck were performed by the employer without the manufacturer's prior written approval:  On or about April 13, 2016, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure that the yellow man lift basket used in the facility was approved by the manufacturer of the powered industrial trucks used in the facility, exposing employees to the hazards of falls and/or being struck by the basket.  Abatement Note: Capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags or decals of the powered industrial truck shall be changed accordingly.

Issued

2016-07-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-08-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(m)(3): Unauthorized personnel were permitted to ride on powered industrial trucks:   On or about February 24, 2016, and at times prior thereto, employees were allowed to ride on the forks of the rough terrain forklift to conduct work operations on the top of the storage tanks, exposing the employees to a fall hazard of up to approximately 30 feet.

Issued

2016-07-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-08-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4900.00 · Current $1400.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l).    On or about April 13, 2016, and at times thereto, the employer did not ensure that each employee who was permitted to operate a forklift received training and evaluation, exposing employees to the hazards of being struck by forklifts.

Issued

2016-07-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-08-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(6): Industrial trucks were altered by the addition of extra parts not provided by the manufacturer. Additional counterweighting of fork trucks was not approved by the truck manufacturer.  On or about April 13, 2016, the Taylor Machine Works "Big Red" forklift had two large slabs of concrete added to the back of the forklift as additional counterweighting, exposing employees to the hazards of being struck by the forklift and/loads.

Issued

2016-07-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-08-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7000.00 · Current $3500.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(b)(4)(iv): Where the welder must enter a confined space through a manhole or other small opening, means was not provided for quickly removing the welder in case of emergency:  On or about April 13, 2016, and at times prior thereto, employees performed confined space entry into steel tanks to conduct welding operations, in many cases without ventilation and where they were not readily visible to workers outside the tank. The employer did not provide a non-entry retrieval system that could be readily activated.

Issued

2016-07-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-08-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7000.00 · Current $3500.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(b)(2)(iii): Workers and other persons adjacent to the welding area were not required to wear appropriate goggles, to protect them from the rays when noncombustible or flameproof screens or shields were not used:  On or about April 13, 2016, and at times prior thereto, welding areas were not shielded or otherwise screened off to protect adjacent workers from viewing the welding arc and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.  The Fox Tank Company was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.252(b)(2)(iii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 963567, citation number 1, item number 3a and was affirmed as a final order on Octoberber 31, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 117 Airport Commerce Parkway, Kerrville, TX 78028.

Issued

2016-07-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-08-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7000.00 · Current $1500.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief was provided that would prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws:  On or about April 13, 2016, and at times, prior thereto, the employer did not ensure cords and cables were connected to devices so that strain relief was provided, exposing employees to the hazards of electrical shock:  a. In the Main Shop Area, on the 480 Volt Lincoln Electric Welder had outer sheathing pulled away from the cord's plug.   b. In the Main Shop Area, the 480 volts Panel PG junction box the outer sheathing was pulled away from the junction box.   c. In the High Bay Welding Area, the 480 volt Welder Disconnect #1 box had the outer sheathing pulled away from the control box.  The Fox Tank Company  was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 892898 , citation number 1, item number 10d, and was affirmed as a final order on July 12, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 104 Highway 87, Comfort, TX 78013.

Issued

2016-07-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-08-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $10500.00 · Current $1500.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(i): Portable cord and plug connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) were not visually inspected before use on any shift for external defects (such as loose parts, deformed and missing pins, or damage to outer jacket or insulation) and for evidence of possible internal damage (such as pinched or crushed outer jacket).  On or about April 13, 2016, and at times prior thereto, Portable cord and plug connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) were not visually inspected before use on any shift for external defects in 4 instances, exposing employees to the hazard of electrical shock.   a. In the Main Shop Area next to the bay door, the orange 25 foot extension cord was cut and damaged along the cord in several areas with cooper wire showing.  b. In the Main Shop Area next to the entry door, the cord on the Ryobi Drill Press was damaged and had black electrical tape over the damaged area.   c. In the High Bay Area, an orange 25 foot extension cord plugged into a wall receptacle had black tape over several damaged areas along the cord.   d. In the High Bay Area, an orange 25 foot extension cord used to supply power to an angle grinder had black tape covering several damaged areas along the cord.   The Fox Tank Company was previously cited for a Repeat violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(iv), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 963567, citation number 02, item number 001 and was affirmed as a final order on October 31, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 117 Airport Commerce Parkway, Kerrville, TX 78028.

Issued

2016-07-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-08-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 P.S.I.:   On or about April 13, 2016, air nozzles were routinely used for cleaning at compressed air pressures up to 60 P.S.I, exposing employees to the hazards of being struck by chips and/ or high pressure air.