OSHA Inspection: UNILOCK CHICAGO, INC.

Issued

Jan 10, 2018

Abate by

Feb 20, 2018

Penalty

Initial $11,641 · Current $10,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that was 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level was protected from falling by one or more of the following:  Guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems:    On or about July 14, 2017, employees at Plant #1 were on the unguarded platform adjacent to Hopper #1 to troubleshoot a jam in the hopper caused by hardening concrete material and later to try to rescue an employee that entered Hopper #1 and became entrapped.  The platform is located more than 4 feet above the lower level in the hopper and employees were not guarded by guardrail systems, safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems.      Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 10, 2018

Abate by

Feb 20, 2018

Penalty

Initial $11,641 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(i): The employer did not ensure each employee is protected from falling through any hole (including skylights) that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level by one or more of the following: covers, guardrail systems, travel restraint systems, or personal fall arrest systems, as required by sub-paragraphs (A) through (D) of this section.    On or about September 11, 2017, an employee entered Mixer #2, a permit-required confined space that had been reclassified to a non-permit space.  The mixer had a hole in the floor, through which the mixed product drops into the flybucket, which was uncovered while the employee was in the mixer, cleaning.  The employee was injured when he fell into the hole.     Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 10, 2018

Abate by

Feb 20, 2018

Penalty

Initial $11,641 · Current $5,654 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(7)(iv): The employer did not reevaluate the non-permit space and determine whether it must be reclassified as a permit space in accordance with other applicable provisions of 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(7):     The employer did not reevaluate the non-permit space and determine whether it must be reclassified as a permit space on the following occasions:     a.  On July 14, 2017, an employee was tasked with clearing a jam of concrete mix (material) in Hopper #1 at Plant #4, a confined space that had been reclassified to a non-permit space.  Employees routinely enter the space for cleaning purposes on a daily basis.  The  material introduced new hazards into the space that is normally entered when the hopper is empty.  The material presented a thermal hazard and an entrapment hazard.  The employer did not reevaluate the non-permit space to determine whether it must be reclassified as a permit space.  The employee was injured when he became entrapped by the material.     b.  On September 11, 2017, an employee was tasked with cleaning Mixer #2 at Plant #4, a  permit-required confined space that had been reclassified to a non-permit space.  The mixer had a hole in the floor which was uncovered while the employee was in the mixer, cleaning.  The hole presented a new falling hazard which was not present when the space was initially reclassified to a non-permit space.  The employer did not reevaluate the non-permit space to determine whether it must be reclassified as a permit space.  The employee was injured when he fell into the hole.     Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 10, 2018

Abate by

Feb 20, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,654 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(h)(1): The employer did not ensure that all authorized entrants knew the hazards that could be faced during entry, including information on the mode, sign or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure:    On or about July 14, 2017, an employee entered Hopper #1 at Plant #4, entered a permit required confined space that had been reclassified as a non-permit space, and did not recognize the new hazards which were presented by the material in the hopper.  Specifically, the material presented a thermal hazard and an entrapment hazard.  The employee was injured when he became trapped by the material in the hopper.    Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 10, 2018

Abate by

Feb 20, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(k)(2)(ii): Affected employees were not trained to perform assigned rescue duties, and the employer did not ensure that such employees had successfully completed the training required to establish proficiency as an authorized entrant, as provided by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this section:    On or about July 14, 2017, an employee entered Hopper #1 at Plant #4, a permit-required confined space which had been reclassified to a non-permit required confined space.  The employee encountered new hazards and was trapped in the space.  The supervisor then entered the space to perform rescue without being trained to do so.    Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 10, 2018

Penalty

Initial $7,068 · Current $3,534 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 items in this section:      On or about July 14, 2017, the energy control procedures, for the hoppers, mixers and the presses, at Plant #4, did not clearly and specifically outline the purpose, authorization for the control of hazardous energy.  Employees performing servicing and maintenance such as cleaning and clearing out material jams were exposed to the unexpected start-up of machinery.