OSHA Inspection: CLOVER PLASTICS LLC

Issued

Jan 26, 2018

Abate by

Apr 16, 2018

Penalty

Initial $3,880 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures shall be developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees are engaged in the activities covered by this section:      On or about 28 July 2017, the employer did not ensure adequate documented energy control procedures were developed and utilized for employees assigned to perform servicing or maintenance on all company machines to include the Vecoplan Retech Grinder RG50 S/N 155801. Employees were exposed to unexpected start-up and release of stored energy (spinning pulleys and belts) while performing servicing or maintenance when they did not use Lockout/Tagout on all sources of potential energy (electrical). Employees were exposed to caught-in/amputation hazards.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 26, 2018

Abate by

Mar 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): Application of control. The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) did not cover the actions listed in and was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6).    On or about 28 July 2017, prior to starting work on the machines, to include servicing, maintenance and unjamming of the Vecoplan Retech Grinder RG50 S/N 155801 by manually rotating the belts, employees were not required to apply hazardous energy controls as follows:     1. Prepare for shut down by recognizing energy hazards and its controls,  2. Turn off and shut down the machines,  3. Physically locate and operate energy isolating devices in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source,  4. Affix lockout or Tag-out devices to each energy isolating device,  5. Render safe all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy,  6. Verify that isolation and de-energization of the machine or equipment have been accomplished.    The employer failed to take the necessary steps to ensure that their employees were properly protected against amputation hazards from unexpected start-up.       Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 26, 2018

Abate by

Mar 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer shall conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements of this standard are being followed.    On or about 28 July 2017, the employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedures at least annually to ensure that the procedures and the requirement of this standard were being followed. Employees utilizing undocumented procedures were exposed to caught-in hazards and amputation hazards.     Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 26, 2018

Abate by

Apr 16, 2018

Penalty

Initial $3,880 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer shall 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 28 July 2017, the employer failed to effectively train employees to identify each potential energy source and isolate those sources during servicing and maintenance operations on all company equipment, including extruder, pelletizing system, conveyors, shredder, baler, and grinders. Employee(s) were exposed to a caught-in hazards.    This exposed employees to amputation and/or crushing injuries from unexpected start-up.     Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 26, 2018

Abate by

Mar 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,217 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(ii): Prior to permitting an employee to operate a powered industrial truck (except for training purposes), the employer shall ensure that each operator has successfully completed the training required by this paragraph (l).    On or about 23 August 2017, the employer failed to ensure that each operator had successfully completed training to operate the companies Powered Industrial Vehicles. This exposed employees to a struck by hazard.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 26, 2018

Abate by

Mar 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $3,880 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be 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.     On or about 28 July 2017, the employer failed to provide machine guarding to protect operator(s) and other employees from hazard(s) created by all production equipment to include the following:    a. Vecoplan Retech Grinder RG50 S/N 155801. An employee was required to manually rotate the belts on the grinder when it became jammed. The guard was, known by management to be removed for the purpose of rotating the belts by hand, and had been off for approximately 2 years.     b. Conveyors. The head and tail pulleys were not covered on the belt conveyor. This exposed employees to caught in hazards when loading material on the conveyor.     This exposes employees to caught-in hazards.     Abatement documentation is required in accordance with the 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 26, 2018

Abate by

Mar 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $3,880 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.332(b)(1): Employees shall be trained in and familiar with the safety-related work practices required by 1910.331 through 1910.335 that pertain to their respective job assignments:    On or about 23 August 2017 and on dates prior, an employee was required to work live on electrical equipment up to 460 volts. The employee was required to gain access and trouble shoot the 460 volt incoming wires for the Vecoplan Retech Grinder RG50 S/N 155801from the control panel.        The employees were not trained in and familiar with safety-related work practices, such as the use of special precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment (PPE), and insulating and shielding materials. The employees were exposed to shock and arc flash hazards.     Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 26, 2018

Abate by

Mar 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.333(c)(2): Only qualified persons may work on electric circuit parts or equipment that have not been deenergized under the procedures of paragraph (b) of this section. Such persons shall be capable of working safely on energized circuits and shall be familiar with the proper use of special precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment, insulating and shielding materials, and insulated tools.  On or about 23 August 2017 and on dates prior, an employee was required to work live on electrical equipment up to 460 volts. The employee was required to gain access and trouble shoot the 460 volt incoming wires for the Vecoplan Retech Grinder RG50 S/N 155801from the control panel.  The employees were not trained in and familiar with safety-related work practices, such as the use of special precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment (PPE), and insulating and shielding materials. The employees were exposed to shock and arc flash hazards.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 26, 2018

Abate by

Mar 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(c)(1): Only qualified persons may perform testing work on electric circuits or equipment.   On or about 23 August 2017 and on dates prior, an employee was required to work live on electrical equipment up to 460 volts. The employee was required to gain access and trouble shoot with a voltmeter the 460 volt incoming wires for the Vecoplan Retech Grinder RG50 S/N 155801from the control panel.  Employee(s) were exposed to shock hazards.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 26, 2018

Abate by

Mar 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $3,880 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.333(a): Safety-related work practices shall be employed to prevent electric shock or other injuries resulting from either direct or indirect electrical contacts, when work is performed near or on equipment or circuits which are or may be energized. The specific safety-related work practices shall be consistent with the nature and extent of the associated electrical hazards.      On or about 23 August 2017 and on dates prior, an employee was required to work live on electrical equipment up to 460 volts. The employee was required to gain access and trouble shoot with a voltmeter the 460 volt incoming wires for the Vecoplan Retech Grinder RG50 S/N 155801from the control panel.      Employees were exposed to electrocution and shock hazards.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 26, 2018

Abate by

Apr 16, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.333(b)(2)(i): The employer shall maintain a written copy of the procedures outlined in paragraph (b)(2) and shall make it available for inspection by employees and by the Assistant Secretary of Labor and his or her authorized representatives.     The employer did not maintain written procedures to ensure parts were de-energized, locked out and tagged in accordance with paragraph (b).     On or about 23 August 2017 and on dates prior, an employee was required to work live on electrical equipment up to 460 volts. The employee was required to gain access and trouble shoot with a voltmeter the 460 volt incoming wires for the Vecoplan Retech Grinder RG50 S/N 155801from the control panel.    This exposed employee(s) assigned to perform work on up to 480v circuits to electric shock, and electrocution.     Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jan 26, 2018

Abate by

Apr 16, 2018

Penalty

Initial $3,880 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i): Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards shall be provided with, and shall use, electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed.    The employer failed to provide electrical protective equipment for the employees to use when they were assigned tasks in areas where they have the potential to come into contact with energized equipment.     On or about 23 August 2017 and on dates prior, an employee was required to work live on electrical equipment up to 460 volts. The employee was required to gain access and trouble shoot with a voltmeter the 460 volt incoming wires for the Vecoplan Retech Grinder RG50 S/N 155801from the control panel.    Employees were not wearing or have access to wear protective equipment that would be appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed when working in an area where there was a potential electrical hazard.     Employees did not wear appropriate electrical protective equipment, including but not limited to the following, to protect against electrical shock injuries:      a) Rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors.      b) Arc-Rated clothing such as arc-rated long-sleeve shirt and pants, or arc-rated coverall.      c) Hearing protection (canal inserts).      d) Arc-Rated flash suit, hood or balaclava.      Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).