OSHA Inspection: EDWARDS SHEET METAL WORKS, INC.

Issued

Nov 23, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,138 · Current $1,283 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.  a. On or about September 19, 2016 and at times prior, located at the pipe pit, two below the hook lifting devices were used to hoist metal culvert pipe from two Roughneck manual chain hoists. The employer did not ensure that each snatch block had a safety latch to secure the blocks hook to the shock absorbing device. The condition exposed employees crushing and struck by hazards.

Issued

Nov 23, 2016

Abate by

Dec 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,672 · Current $1,603 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.  a. On or about September 19, 2016 and at times prior, the Bertsch M10053 mechanical punching and riveting machines actuating means, foot treadle, lacked protection to prevent unintended actuation of the machine, such as, but not limited to, falling or moving objects, thereby exposing employees to an amputation hazard

Issued

Nov 23, 2016

Abate by

Mar 1, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,207 · Current $1,924 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level shall be guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) on all open sides except where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder. The railing shall be provided with a toeboard wherever, beneath the open sides,    a. On or about September 5, 2016 and at times prior, employees removed sheets of corrugated metal material from a mechanical shear on an outdoor powered platform which was not equipped with a standard railing, exposing employees to an approximately five foot fall hazard.     b. On or about September 19, 2016 and at times prior, employees accessed a wooden platform located alongside the upper shear and corrugation machine. An approximately twenty five inch opening between guardrails sections and a missing mid rail on the rear portion of the platform exposed employees to an approximately five foot fall hazard.      c. On or about September 19, 2016 and at times prior, the employer failed to ensure that employees were protected from falling approximately five foot into an unguarded pit while riveting corrugated metal pipe sections together to form culvert pipe.      d. On or about September 19, 2016 and at times prior, employees were exposed to approximately five foot fall hazard due to an approximately nine foot by two foot unguarded floor opening at the exit end of the pipe pit.

Issued

Nov 23, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(1): Every flight of stairs having four or more risers shall be equipped with standard stair railings or standard handrails as specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (v) of this section, the width of the stair to be measured clear of all obstructions except handrails:  a. On or about September 19, 2016 and at times prior, the wooden stairs leading up to upper shear and corrugation machine platform were not equipped with standard railings, to include a top-rail and a mid-rail, on each open side, thereby exposing employees to a fall hazard.

Issued

Nov 23, 2016

Abate by

Dec 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,604 · Current $962 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.101(b): "Compressed gases." The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, rail tankcars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks shall be in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6.  a. On or about September 19, 2016 and at times prior, a propane cylinder was stored along the electrical equipment wall in front of multiple electrical disconnects and uncovered wire nut joints. The employer did not ensure that a propane cylinder was stored in an approved location per the Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965. Flammable gases are to be stored away from unprotected electrical connections and sources of ignition. The storage of the cylinder exposed employees to a fire hazard.

Issued

Nov 23, 2016

Abate by

Dec 14, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,741 · Current $2,245 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): The point of operation of machines whose operation exposes an employee to injury, shall be guarded. The guarding device shall be in conformity with any appropriate standards therefor, or, in the absence of applicable specific standards, shall be so designed and constructed as to prevent the operator from having any part of his body in the danger zone during the operating cycle.  a. On or about September 19, 2016 and at times prior, located at the pipe pit, employees operated a Bertsch mechanical punching-riveting machine with an unguarded point of operation to rivet two foot sections of corrugated metal pipe together to form lengths of culvert pipe. The hazardous condition exposed employees to an amputation hazard.      b. On or about September 19, 2016 and at times prior, located near the pipe pit, employees operated a Bertsch mechanical punching-riveting machine with an unguarded point of operation to rivet small diameter corrugated pipe and create coupling bands and attach metal lugs for connecting culvert pipe sections together. The hazardous condition exposed employees to an amputation hazard.    c. On or about September 19, 2016 and at times prior, located at the mechanical shear, known as the green shear, the shears point of operation was not guarded, exposing employees to an amputation hazard.

Issued

Nov 23, 2016

Abate by

Dec 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,672 · Current $1,603 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(1): Gears. Gears shall be guarded in accordance with one of the following methods:  29 CFR 1910.219(f)(1)(i): By a complete enclosure; or  29 CFR 1910.219(f)(1)(ii): By a standard guard as described in paragraph (o) of this section, at least seven (7) feet high extending six (6) inches above the mesh point of the gears; or  29 CFR 1910.219(f)(1)(iii): By a band guard covering the face of gear and having flanges extended inward beyond the root of the teeth on the exposed side or sides. Where any portion of the train of gears guarded by a band guard is less than six (6) feet from the floor a disk guard or a complete enclosure to the height of six (6) feet shall be required.   a. On or about September 19, 2016 and at times prior, located at the mechanical shear, known as the green shear, an opening in the metal guard enclosing the motor drive gears, approximately five foot and ten inches from the ground, and a missing top guard on the flywheel gear, approximately six foot and six inches from the ground, exposed employees to a caught in hazard.     b. On or about September 19, 2016 and at times prior, located at the mechanical shear manufactured by Bertseh and Company 8874, unguarded gears, approximately six foot from the platform, exposed employees to a caught in hazard.

Issued

Nov 23, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,604 · Current $962 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(ii): Working space required by this standard may not be used for storage. When normally enclosed live parts are exposed for inspection or servicing, the working space, if in a passageway or general open space, shall be suitably guarded.  a. On or about September 19, 2016 and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that the working space in front of the electrical equipment wall located at the front of the building remained clear from storage of material and equipment, such as, but not limited to,  shovels, plastic buckets, a propane cylinder, a propane heater, and culvert pipe.

Issued

Nov 23, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,604 · Current $962 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i): Except as elsewhere required or permitted by this standard, live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more shall be guarded against accidental contact by use of approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures or by any of the following means:  a. On or about September 19, 2016 and at times prior, employees were exposed to 480 volt electrical connections and wire nut joints located on the platform at the lower side of the Bertseh mechanical sheer due to an uncovered electrical box.    b. On or about September 19, 2016 and at times prior, employees were exposed to 110 volt electrical joints due to an uncovered electrical box located on the electrical panel wall that fed the heaters thermostat.

Issued

Nov 23, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(ii): Flexible cords may be used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap. Hard-service cord and junior hard-service cord No. 14 and larger may be repaired if spliced so that the splice retains the insulation, outer sheath properties, and usage characteristics of the cord being spliced.  a. On or about September 19, 2016, located adjacent to the pipe pit, a flexible cord supplying 120 volts to an industrial floor fan was spliced using wire nuts and electrical tape. The unapproved connection exposed employees to an electrical shock hazard

Issued

Nov 23, 2016

Abate by

Dec 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,604 · Current $962 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(g)(5): Grounding path. The path to ground from circuits, equipment, and enclosures shall be permanent, continuous, and effective.  a. On or about September 19, 2016, the grounding conductor of the flexible cord used to supply 120 volts to an overhead chain hoist was not connected to the grounding pin of the plug, exposing employees to an electrical shock hazard.

Issued

Nov 23, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,741 · Current $2,245 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(i): Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings shall be protected from abrasion, and openings through which conductors enter shall be effectively closed.  a. On or about September 12, 2016 and at times prior, the 480 volt electrical supply conductors entering the bottom of the disconnect switch located at the outdoor IMW Recorrutgator machine were not protected from abrasion, thereby exposing employees to an electrical shock hazard.

Issued

Nov 23, 2016

Abate by

Dec 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(f)(2): Services, feeders, and branch circuits. Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its disconnecting means or overcurrent device, shall be legibly marked to indicate its purpose, unless located and arranged so the purpose is evident.  a. On or about September 19, 2016 and at times prior, the employer had multiple electrical disconnects mounted on the electrical equipment wall. The disconnects were not labeled to inform employees of their intended purpose and use.