OSHA Inspection: TEXAMERICAN FOOD BLENDING, INC.

Issued

Jun 22, 2017

Abate by

Jun 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $6,338 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Every open-sided floors or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level was not guarded with standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(3)) on all open sides. The employees were exposed to the hazard of falling more than 4-feet to the lower level.    a) On or about December 27, 2016 and at times prior thereto, employees, who operated the line-4 mixer, worked from an elevated platform that did not have a standard railing on all open sides. The employees were exposed to the hazard of falling more than 4-feet to the lower level.

Issued

Jun 22, 2017

Abate by

Jun 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $5,000 Reduced

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:    a) Employees, who cleaned the inside of the line-4 mixer, were exposed to the hazard of being caught-between the ribbons (agitator) and bowl because the employer did not ensure that the energy control procedure that was issued on or about September 10, 2013, was periodically inspected to ensure that the procedure was compliant with the requirements contained in �1910.147.

Issued

Jun 22, 2017

Abate by

Jun 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $0 Reduced

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 and control.    a) Employees, who performed the product cleanout of the line-4 mixer, where not trained on how to isolate the machine from its energy source, and the procedures to be followed to control the hazardous energy.

Issued

Jun 22, 2017

Abate by

Jun 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): The point-of-operation of machines whose operation exposed an employee to injury, was not guarded:        a) Employees, who collected product samples from the line-4 mixer, were exposed to the unguarded point of operation.  The emergency stop (e-stop) and interlocking gates/covers did not effectively de-energize the machine allowing exposure to the ribbons (agitator).

Issued

Jun 22, 2017

Abate by

Jun 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $76,049 · Current $36,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, including, but not limited to, the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(B),(C) and (D):    a) On or about December 27, 2016 and at times prior thereto, employees, who cleaned the inside of the line-4 mixer, were exposed to the hazard of being caught-between the ribbons (agitator) and bowl because the employer did not develop and utilize an energy control procedure that clearly and specifically outlined the purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy including, but not limited to, having specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy; specific procedural steps for the placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices and the responsibility for them; and specific requirements for testing a machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices and other control issues.

Issued

Jun 22, 2017

Abate by

Jun 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $76,049 · Current $36,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(3): All energy isolating devices that were needed to control the energy to the machine or equipment were not physically located and operated in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source:      a) The line-4 mixer was routinely shutdown by pressing the emergency stop (e-stop) and opening the interlocked gates/covers instead of opening the circuit breaker (isolating device), exposing employees to the hazard of being caught-between the ribbons (agitator) and bowl.

Issued

Jun 22, 2017

Abate by

Jun 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(4)(i): Lockout or tagout devices were not affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees:  a) Authorized employees, who performed the line-4 mixer product cleanout, were not required to use, nor were they provided with a lockout device(s) to keeping each energy isolating device in the safe or off position. The employees were exposed to the hazard of being caught-between the ribbons (agitator) and bowl.

Issued

Jun 22, 2017

Abate by

Jun 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(e)(1)(ii): Electric equipment was used without markings giving voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings as necessary:  a) On or about December 27, 2016 and at times prior thereto, in the area in the vicinity of the line 4 mixer, the panel board was not labeled to show the voltage and exposed employees to electrical hazards.