OSHA Inspection: ESS METRON

Issued

May 25, 2017

Abate by

Jun 15, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,541 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii):  Points of operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employees from having any part of their body in the danger zones during operating cycles:    (a)  ESS Metron @ 1505 W. 3rd Ave., Denver, CO 80233:  On or before April 7, 2017, as part of the injury/accident prevention responsibilities under its safety program, the employer did not ensure that the point of operation on the French Amada Hydraulic Press Brake was guarded to prevent employees from having any part of the their body in the danger zone during its operating cycles.  Feasible machine guarding systems were not in place, and employees were not protected by administrative controls such as maintaining a safe distance.  This condition exposed the employees to an amputation hazard.      Abatement Note:  Press brake safeguarding can be accomplished by using one of the following:      (a)  Presence Sensing Device - Designed to automatically stop the machine when the sensing field is interrupted.      (b)  Two-Hand Control Device - Designed to keep the operators hands away from the point of operation by requiring two hands to engage the machine.      (c)  Pullback Device - Designed to pull the operator's hands away from the area of the closing dies during each stroke of the press.      (d)  Restraint Device - Designed and adjusted so that the operator can never reach the point of operation.      Two-hand control, as a point of operation safeguarding device for press brakes, is ideal for short-run job-shop operations. Piece parts can vary from quite small to very large.        The steps are as follows:      Step 1:  By depressing the control buttons, the operator initiates the press brake stroke;    Step 2:  The operator must hold the buttons until the slide completes its downward travel. If the operator removes a hand from one of the controls, the slide will stop. In the single stroke or Hi/Lo mode, the slide will make one complete stroke;    Step 3:  In the sequence mode, the slide will automatically stop at a preset position 1/4 or less above the work piece. This position is adjustable for different feed-line heights or material thickness;    Step 4:  If the work piece is not already placed in the die, it may be inserted at this time;    Step 5:  The two-hand control or the foot switch is now re-initiated, causing the slide to continue through the bottom of the stroke and finishing at top dead center (TDC).      More detailed information can be found on the OSHA website at:      http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/machineguarding/presses/press_brake.html    http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/machineguarding/presses/twohandcont.html#How%20Does%20It%20Work

Issued

May 25, 2017

Abate by

Jun 15, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(2)(ii):  Inside of buildings, cylinders were not stored in a well-protected, well-ventilated, dry location, at least 20 feet from highly combustible materials such as oil or excelsior:  (a) ESS Metron @ 1505 W. 3rd Ave., Denver, CO 80233:  On or before April 7, 2017, as part of the injury/accident prevention responsibilities under its safety program, the employer did not ensure that the gas cylinders in the Welding Department were properly stored.  The cylinders were exposed to the hazard of being knocked over or damaged by passing or falling objects, and were subject to tampering by unauthorized persons.  The cylinders were not stored in a well-protected, assigned location.  This condition exposed employees to a hazard of being struck-by an unsecured gas cylinder.

Issued

May 25, 2017

Abate by

Jun 15, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

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:    (a) ESS Metron @ 1505 W. 3rd Ave., Denver, CO 80233:  On or before April 7, 2017, as part of the injury/accident prevention responsibilities under its safety program, the employer allowed the use of a relocatable power tap that was not in accordance with the manufacturer's listing and labeling.  A Dewalt miter saw was plugged into a relocatable power tap in the shipping department, instead of to a fixed outlet receptacle.  The relocatable power tap was not designed for such use.  This condition exposed employees to an electrical hazard.    Note:  Relocatable power taps are not to be permanently connected to building structures, tables, work benches or similar structures, nor are they intended to be used as a substitute for fixed wiring.  The cords of relocatable power taps are not intended to be routed through walls, windows, ceiling, floors or similar openings.  Relocatable power taps are not intended to be series connected (daisy chained) to other relocatable power taps or to extension cords.

Issued

May 25, 2017

Abate by

Jun 15, 2017

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) ESS Metron @ 1505 W. 3rd Ave., Denver, CO 80233:  On or before April 7, 2017, as part of the injury/accident prevention responsibilities under its safety program, the employer did not ensure that the flexible cord pendant in the Electrical Department was provided with strain relief so that tension was not transmitted to joints or the terminal screws.  The inner insulation near the joints and terminal screws was showing wear. This condition exposed employees to an electrical hazard.