OSHA Inspection: COMAL IRON & METALS, INC.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,850 · Current $1,710 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: 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 getting their body or head crushed:  On or about August 25, 2016, the employer failed to ensure the operators of the forklifts were restrained by the use of seatbelts. Employees were exposed to the hazard of being crushed between the forklift and the ground in the event of a tip over. Forklifts operated by employees without seatbelts include, but are not limited to:  a) Caterpillar, Model number DP4CKD, serial number AT19C10303. b) Clark, Model number GPS25MB.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(1): Any power-operated industrial truck not in safe operating condition was not taken out of service, and/or repairs were not made by authorized personnel:  On or about August 25, 2016, the employer failed to remove the Clark forklift from service and allowed an employee to operate it without a seatbelt being installed and the floor board missing, exposing the employee to the hazard of being crushed by the forklift. Clark forklift model number GPS25MB.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,850 · Current $1,710 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:  On or about August 25, 2016, at the Sierra Logger compactor, the employer failed to ensure there was railing installed on the platform leading to the operator's station. The employee was exposed to a fall hazard that measured approximately seven feet and four inches.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,276 · Current $2,566 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 August 25, 2016, and at times prior thereto, employees were performing servicing and/or maintenance activities that included unjamming machines with multiple energy sources without the employer developing lockout/tagout procedures.  a)Alligator shears used inside for metal stripping, there are no energy control procedures developed. Employee(s) were exposed to being caught-in the machine and/or electrical shock. The alligator shear has a minimum of electrical and hydraulic energy.   b)Alligator shear used outside for metal stripping, there are no energy control procedures developed. Employee(s) were exposed to being caught-in the machine and/or electrical shock. The alligator shear has a minimum of electrical and hydraulic energy.   c) Mosley can crusher, there are no energy control procedures developed. Employee(s) were exposed to being caught-in the machine and/or electrical shock. The Mosley can crusher has as a minimum of electrical and hydraulic energy.  d) Sierra Logger crusher, there are no energy control procedures developed. Employee(s) exposed to being caught-in the machine and/or crushed. The Sierra Logger crusher has a minimum of combustion, electrical and hydraulic energy.    e) REM can crusher, there are no energy control procedures developed. Employee(s) exposed to being caught-in the machine and/or crushed. The REM can crusher has a minimum of electrical and hydraulic energy.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  On or about August 25, 2016, the employer failed to ensure the employees were trained to have the knowledge and skills necessary for the safe application, usage and removal of energy control devices when maintaining, cleaning, unjamming equipment such as, but not limited to:   a) Inside alligator shear. b) Outside alligator shear.  c) Mosley Metal stripper for brass. d) Sierra Logger metal crusher. d) REM can crusher.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,138 · Current $1,283 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(2): The educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting was not provided to all employees upon initial employment, and at least annually thereafter:  On or about August 25, 2016 the employer did not train employees on the principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards associated with incipient stage fires, at least annually.  Employees exposed to fire hazards such as, but limited to burns and smoke inhalation.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,276 · Current $2,566 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 August 25, 2016, employees are operating forklifts in and around the facility without being trained by the employer, exposing employees to the hazard of being crushed by the forklifts and/or the loads being carried.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,850 · Current $1,710 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:  a) On or about August 25, 2016, the employer failed to ensure the inside alligator shear was guarded. Employees exposed to the hazard of being caught-in the machine.   b) On or about August 25, 2016, the employer failed to ensure the outside alligator shear was guarded. Employees exposed to the hazard of being caught-in the machine.   c) On or about August 25, 2016, the employer failed to ensure the Mosley metal stripper for brass was guarded. Employees exposed to the hazard of being caught-in the machine.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,850 · Current $1,710 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):  a) On or about August 25, 2016, the employer failed to ensure the inside alligator shear had the pulley guarded. The employees were exposed to the hazard of being caught-in the rotating pulleys.   b) On or about August 25, 2016, the employer failed to ensure the outside alligator shear had the pulley guarded. The employees were exposed to the hazard of being caught-in the rotating pulleys.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i): Vertical or inclined belt(s) were not enclosed by guard(s) conforming to the requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o)(a):  a) On or about August 25, 2016, the employer failed to ensure the belts on the inside alligator shear were guarded. The employees were exposed to the hazard of being caught-in the rotating belts .     b) On or about August 25, 2016, the employer failed to ensure the belts on the outside alligator shear were guarded. The employees were exposed to the hazard of being caught-in the rotating belts.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(1): Gears were not guarded by a complete enclosure or by one of the methods specified in 29CFR 1910.219(f)(1)(ii) or 1910.219(f)(1)(iii):  a) On or about August 25, 2016, The rotating gear on the inside alligator shear was not guarded. The employees were exposed to the hazard of being caught-in the rotating gear.   b) On or about August 25, 2016, the rotating gear on the outside alligator shear was not guarded. The employees were exposed to the hazard of being caught-in the rotating gear.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,850 · Current $1,710 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(ii): Flexible cords were not used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap:  On or about August 25, 2016, in the welding area, two 120V flexible cords (yellow and red) were spliced together and wrapped with electrical tape to provide power to a receptacle. Employees exposed to the hazard of an electrical shock.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords were not connected to devices and fittings so that tension would not be transmitted to joints or terminal screws:  a) On or about August 25, 2016, in the metal crushing and stripping area, an extension cord was plugged into a 120V metal receptacle that had the outer sheathing pulled back from the plug, exposing the internal insulated wires. Employees exposed to the hazard of an electrical shock.    b) On or about August 25, 2016, in the metal crushing and stripping area, a 120V extension cord was damaged at the female end where the outer sheathing was pulled back from the plug, exposing the internal insulated wires.  Employees exposed to the hazard of an electrical shock.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): Each outlet box in completed installations did not have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy:    On or about August 15, 2016, in the welding area, a receptacle box designed to be permanently mounted was powered by a flexible cord and used as an extension cord to power the fan. The receptacle was missing the face plate where energized conductors were exposed. Employees exposed to the hazard of an electrical shock.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,850 · Current $1,710 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(j)(2)(i): Receptacles, cord connectors and attachment plugs were not constructed so no receptacles may be installed so as to require an energized attachment plug as its source of supply:  a) On or about August 25, 2016, in the metal stripping area, the employer failed to ensure a metal junction box that is manufactured to be permanently mounted was not used as an extension cord. It was made into a temporary extension cord that supplied power to the radio. Employees exposed to an electrical shock hazard.    b) On or about August 25, 2016, in the welding area, the employer failed to ensure a metal junction box that is manufactured to be permanently mounted was not used as an extension cord. It was made into an extension cord and supplied power to the fan. Employees exposed to an electrical shock hazard.    In the alternative:  29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:  On or about August 25, 2016, in the maintenance department, the employer failed to ensure there were no unused openings in the 110 volt panel box near the compressor. Employees exposed to an electrical shock hazard.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,850 · Current $1,710 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:  On or about August 25, 2016, the employer failed to develop and implement a written hazard communication program where employees are required to use hazardous chemicals. Employees exposed to hazardous chemicals such as, but not limited to:   a) Gunk Degreaser, manufactured by RSC Chemical Solutions. b) WD-40, manufactured by WD-40 Company.  c) Macs 1726 Premium Starting Fluid, manufactured by NAPA.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8): The employer did not maintain copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical in the workplace:  On or about August 25, 2016, the employer failed to ensure that safety data sheets were obtained and maintained at the facility for employee reference. Employees are required to utilize hazardous chemicals such as, but not limited to:  a) Gunk Degreaser, manufactured by RSC Chemical Solutions. b) WD-40, manufactured by WD-40 Company.  c) Macs 1726 Premium Starting Fluid, manufactured by NAPA.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  On or about August 25, 2016, the employer failed to ensure the employees were trained on hazardous chemicals required to be used in the work place such as, but not limited to:   a) Gunk Degreaser, manufactured by RSC Chemical Solutions. b) WD-40, manufactured by WD-40 Company.  c) Macs 1726 Premium Starting Fluid, manufactured by NAPA.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $240 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1903.2(a)(1): The employer did not post and keep posted OSHA notices informing employees of the protections and obligations provided for in the Act, and that for assistance and information, including copies of the Act and of specific safety and health standards, employees should contact the employer or the nearest office of the Department of Labor.      On or about August 25, 2016, the employer failed to ensure there was an OSHA poster informing employees of their rights under the Act.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $240 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.29(a): The employer did not use an OSHA 300, 301 and 300A Form or equivalent.  On or about August 25, 2016, the employer failed to enter a recordable lost work day for an injury on the OSHA 300 log and did not keep the 301 for that injury for 2016. The employer did not  keep 300 and 300a forms for 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.32(b)(3): The 300A annual summary was not certified by a company executive to ensure that he or she has examined the OSHA 300 Log and that he or she reasonably believes, based on his or her knowledge of the process by which the information was recorded, that the annual summary is correct and complete:  On or about August 25, 2016, the employer failed to certify that the 2015 annual summary information was recorded correctly.

Issued

Sep 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.32(b)(6): The OSHA 300-A Summary was not posted by February 1 of the year following the year covered by the records and/or kept in place until April 30.   On or about August 25, 2016, the employer failed to post the 300 Summary log from February 1 to April 30, 2016.