OSHA Inspection: ELG UTICA ALLOYS (HARTFORD), INC.

Issued

Oct 6, 2016

Abate by

Sep 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $6,236 · Current $3,742 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to fire and explosion hazards posed by the combustible metal dust:    A.  Solids, Rotary Blast Machines:  On, or about, April 25, 2016, dust collection systems provided on the following machines that generated combustible titanium dust were located inside of the building and recirculated the discharge air into the building:    1.  Pangborn 1.  2.  Pangborn 2.    B.  Solids, Manual Blast Booth:  On, or about, April 25, 2016, the media dust collection system provided for the manual abrasive blasting booth that generated combustible titanium dust was not provided with explosion protection.  Spark detection along with either a suppression system or diversion equipment was not provided on the duct that led from the booth to the dust collector.  Also, the use of a straight inlet duct without any taper was not in accordance with good engineering practices for the design of ventilation systems.

Issued

Oct 6, 2016

Abate by

Nov 25, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,988 · Current $2,993 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms or service rooms were not kept clean and orderly or in a sanitary condition:   Plant:  On, or about, April 23, 2016, combustible dust generated from processing titanium scrap had accumulated on building surfaces. The company had not developed and implemented housekeeping procedures that included regular inspection and cleaning schedules.

Issued

Oct 6, 2016

Abate by

Nov 25, 2016

Penalty

Initial $6,236 · Current $3,742 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(4): Employees who have been designated to use fire fighting equipment as a part of the emergency action plan were not provided training in the use of appropriate equipment upon initial assignment and at least annually thereafter:   Solids:  On, or about, April 23, 2016, employees who were expected to use portable fire extinguishers had not been provided with training since November 14, 2012.  Several employees used portable fire extinguishers to extinguish a titanium dust fire and had not been trained regarding the limitations of portable fire extinguishers and were not clear on the extent of the response that could be safely conducted in the absence of specialized training and protective gear.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent) and toeboards:   Solids, Fragmetizer:  On, or about, May 2, 2016, a guardrail was not provided on the elevated work platform under the in-feed conveyor.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,260 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(ii): The distance between rungs exceeded 12 inches and were not uniform throughout the ladder:  Solids:  On, or about, May 2, 2016, the access ladder provided on the MetFinn shot blasting unit did not have uniform rung spacing.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:  Wash Tank Area:  On, or about, May 17, 2016, an eyewash was not provided where employees periodically replaced totes that contained Mirage MM Additive 2C, a corrosive liquid.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,260 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(a)(5): The powered industrial truck was equipped with front-end attachments other than factory installed attachments, however the employer did not request that the truck be marked to identify the attachments and show the approximate weight of the truck and attachment combination at maximum elevation with load laterally centered:  Plant:  On, or about, May 24, 2016, the following forktrucks were provided with front end attachments that were not listed on the identification plates:  A.  Hyster L60. B.  Hyster FL61.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(p)(1): Powered industrial truck(s) found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe had not been  taken out of service until restored to safe operating condition(s):     Plant:  On, or about, May 24, 2016, the following forktrucks were in need of repair:  A.  Hyster L60:  The emergency brake did not hold and the forktruck was emitting an excessive amount of carbon monoxide. B.  CAT5156:  The emergency brake did not hold. C.  Hyster FL61:  The emergency brake did not hold.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,260 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(e)(3)(i): A thorough periodic inspection of alloy steel chain slings was not made on a regular basis and/or were done at intervals greater than once every 12 months:  Maintenance Shop:  On, or about, May 24, 2016, chain alloy slings used to perform maintenance work were not provided with documented, periodic inspections.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,940 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): Machine guarding was not provided to protect operator(s) and other employees from hazard(s) created by rotating parts, shear points and the unused portion of a blade:  A.  Solids:  On, or about, May 2, 2016, the perforated metal cover used to prevent access to the shot reclamation screw conveyor located in the Manual Blast booth was not secured.  It was held down with a block of metal.     B.  Solids:  On, or about, January 25, 2016, the restraint device provided on the Blue Genesco alligator shear was not adjusted to ensure that the operator's fingers could clear the hold-down device.  C.  Solids:  On, or about, April 6, 2016, the restraint device provided on the Logemann Brothers alligator shear, serial number 1154, were adjusted to allow the operators fingertips to reach the shear blade.  D.  Solids:  On, or about, May 2, 2016, the unused portion of the blade on the Chenlong horizontal band saw was not provided with a guard.  E.  Solids:  On, or about, May 2, 2016, one of the restraint devices provided on the Black Genesco alligator shear, Stock #16704, North, allowed the operators fingers to reach the hold-down.  F.  Solids:  On, or about, April 22, 2016, the barrier guard provided on the HTC ten foot shear allowed access to the shear blade.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(i): Unguarded projecting shaft end(s) did not present a smooth edge and end and projected more than one half the diameter of the shaft:    Solids, Manual Blast Booth:  On, or about, May 2, 2016, the idler shaft ends for the media elevator projected outside the elevator enclosure and were not guarded.  The shaft did not present a smooth edge due to the presence of a keyway.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven -7 feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:  Solids, Manual Blast Booth:  On, or about, May 2, 2016, the chain and sprocket drive provided for the media elevator was accessible on the side of the guard enclosure.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.244(a)(2)(vi)(a): Each jack used constantly or intermittently at a single locality  was not thoroughly inspected at least once every six months:  Maintenance Shop:  On, or about, May 24, 2016, pumps and jacks used by maintenance staff to maintain equipment in the plant were not subject to regular inspections.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(4)(iii): Oxygen cylinders in storage were not separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one half hour:    Solids:  On, or about, May 2, 2016, an oxygen cylinder in storage was located within 20 feet of fuel gas in that:  A.  The oxygen cylinder was stored on a cart with an acetylene cylinder. B.  The cart containing the oxygen cylinder was stored three feet from a propylene cylinder used in the torch cutting booth.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(i): Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings were not effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment:  A.  Compressor Room:  On, or about, May 17, 2016, covers had not been provided on electrical raceway that included wiring for the compressors.  B.  Solids, Location 18-4:  On, or about, May 17, 2016, openings left in Panel B-13, a Cutler-Hammer panelboard, were covered with green duct tape.  C.  NAS:  On, or about, May 17, 2016, two Cutler-Hammer panelboards, labeled as C1 and C2, had openings that were not covered by blanks or plates.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(A): For electric equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, and likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized, the depth of the working space in the direction of access to live parts (as measured from the live parts where they were exposed or from the enclosure front or opening where they were enclosed) was less than indicated in Table S-1 of Subpart S of Part 1910:  Area near Compressor Room:  On, or about, May 17, 2016, sufficient working space was not provided for Panel B-8, a Cutler-Hammer 480/277 volt panelboard.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:     Maintenance Shop:  On, or about, May 24, 2016, a water cooler was energized by an extension cord assembly that was run behind equipment and fastened to a chain link fence.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(D): Flexible cords and cables were used where attached to building surfaces:  Solids, Area Outside of Fragmetizer:  Bus Drop Cable was secured to the wall to energize a GE panelboard and a welding receptacle energized by the GE panelboard.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,940 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.332(b)(1): Employees were not trained in and familiar with the safety-related work practices required by 1910.331 through 1910.335 that pertained to their respective job assignments:     Plant:  On, or about, May 24, 2016, maintenance personnel had not been trained regarding what work practices and protective equipment was required to protect them against electric shock, arc flash and arc blast hazards while performing live electrical work, live trouble-shooting and verifying whether or not electrical equipment was properly de-energized.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i): Employees working in areas where there were potential electrical hazards were not provided with electrical protective equipment that was appropriate for the specific parts of the body that needed to be protected and for the work being performed:  Plant:  On, or about, May 24, 2016, personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, voltage rated gloves, fire resistive clothing, face shields, face shields, hard hats and hearing protection were not provided to employees who performed live electrical work, including trouble-shooting, or who verified that electrical equipment was properly de-energized.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(ii): There was a defect or evidence of damage that could have exposes an employee to injury and the defective or damaged item was not removed from service:  Lab:  On, or about, May 17, 2016, the outer insulation had melted on the power cord for a magnetic base light fixture used at the blue vacuum furnace.  The damaged cord had been wrapped in electrical tape.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(ii): Employee training did not include the physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area:  Plant:  On, or about, April 25, 2016, the company had not provided training and information to employees regarding the hazards associated with combustible dusts.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.110(b)(6)(vi): Readily ignitable material such as weeds and long dry grass were not removed within 10 feet of any container.  On, or about, May 24, in the following locations, weeds had  grown around or inside of propane tank enclosures:  A.  North Storage Area. B.  South Storage Area.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2): The employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces:   On, or about, May 17, 2017, in the following locations, signs or placards identified the follows spaces as permit required confined spaces had not been provided:  A.  Wash Lines:  Holding tank. B.  Waste Water Treatement Area:  Process tanks.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:   Plant:  On, or about, May 24, 2016, the company had not conducted an annual review of the lockout procedures provided for equipment in the plant.

Issued

Jul 12, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(a)(6): The employer did not ensure that all nameplates or markings were not maintained in a legible condition:   Plant:  On, or about, May 24, 2016, the identification plate provided on the CAT FL5616 forktruck was burned or similarly damaged and was no longer legible.