OSHA Inspection: COLUMBINE PLASTICS CORPORATION

Issued

Sep 25, 2018

Abate by

Dec 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,513 · Current $1,300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:    (a) Columbine Plastics Corporation located at 1815 Boxelder St., Louisville, CO 80027:  On and preceding 28 June, 2018, the employer did not ensure that procedures were developed for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in maintenance and tooling changes on equipment with multiple power sources. Employees perform maintenance, tooling changes and cleaning of plastic injection molding machines.  During maintenance, tooling changes and servicing, unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury.  The exposed employees to caught-in hazards.

Issued

Sep 25, 2018

Abate by

Dec 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide adequate training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program was understood by employees:    (a) Columbine Plastics Corporation located at 1815 Boxelder St., Louisville, CO 80027:  On and preceding 28 June, 2018, the employer did not provide adequate training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program was understood by employees.  Employees performed maintenance and tooling changes on equipment subject to the lockout tag out standard, such as, but not limited to plastic injection mold machines.  During maintenance, tooling changes and servicing, unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury.  The exposed employees to caught-in hazards.

Issued

Sep 25, 2018

Abate by

Oct 22, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,513 · Current $1,300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not 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:    (a) Columbine Plastics Corporation located at 1815 Boxelder St., Louisville, CO 80027:  On and preceding 28 June, 2018, the employer did not ensure that one or more methods of machine guarding was provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area of a Monarch Machine lathe with a 12 chuck.  The lathe is used by operators to machine and drill various types of different parts. Hazards of an exposed lathe chuck include but are not limited to those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks. This exposed employees to caught-in and struck-by hazards.    (b) Columbine Plastics Corporation located at 1815 Boxelder St., Louisville, CO 80027:  On and preceding 28 June, 2018, The employer did not ensure that One or more methods of machine guarding was provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area of a Kalamazoo Industries vertical belt Sander from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts and flying chips. This exposed employees to caught-in and struck-by hazards.

Issued

Sep 25, 2018

Abate by

Oct 22, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4): Work rest(s) on grinding machinery were not adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one eighth inch:  (a) Columbine Plastics Corporation located at 1815 Boxelder St., Louisville, CO 80027:  On and preceding 28 June, 2018,  the employer did not ensure that work rests were kept adjusted within a maximum opening of one-eighth inch to prevent the work from being jammed between the wheel and the rest.  Employees use the bench grinder abrasive wheel to grind down various parts and pieces.  The work rest was 3/4" or more from the abrasive wheel.  This exposed employees to caught-in and struck-by hazards.

Issued

Sep 25, 2018

Abate by

Oct 22, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,513 · Current $1,300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    (a) Columbine Plastics Corporation located at 1815 Boxelder St., Louisville, CO 80027:  On and preceding 28 June, 2018,   The employer did not ensure that the pulley driving the air compressor belt on a Gardner Denver air compressor was adequately guarded. The pulley was partially enclosed in a cage but the front side closer to where a user would be standing had moving parts and nip points exposed.  The air compressor was in use to power compressed air and other tools requiring pneumatic power throughout the facility.  This exposed employees to caught-in hazards.

Issued

Sep 25, 2018

Abate by

Oct 22, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i): Horizontal belts which had both runs 42 inches or less from the floor level were not fully enclosed by guards conforming to requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):  (a) Columbine Plastics Corporation located at 1815 Boxelder St., Louisville, CO 80027:  On and preceding 28 June, 2018,   The employer did not ensure that the pulley driving the air compressor belt on a Gardner Denver air compressor was adequately guarded. The pulley was partially enclosed in a cage but the front side closer to where a user would be standing had moving parts and nip points exposed.  The air compressor was in use to power compressed air and other tools requiring pneumatic power throughout the facility.  This exposed employees to caught-in hazards.

Issued

Sep 25, 2018

Abate by

Oct 22, 2018

Penalty

Initial $1,885 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief was provided that would prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws:    (a) Columbine Plastics Corporation located at 1815 Boxelder St., Louisville, CO 80027:  On and preceding 28 June, 2018, the employer did not ensure the effective strain relief was provided on a flexible power cord powering an outlet hanging from the ceiling near the injection mold machines.  The power cord was used to supply power to various power tools and lights.  The outer jacket of the cord was pulled out of the outlet approximately 2 inches which exposed the inner wiring.  This exposed employees to electrical shock hazards.

Issued

Sep 25, 2018

Abate by

Dec 15, 2018

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) Columbine Plastics Corporation located at 1815 Boxelder St., Louisville, CO 80027:  On and preceding 28 June, 2018, the employer did not ensure that several metal electrical outlet boxes were used in accordance with listed instructions, in that the outlet boxes in use on the flexible cords included pre-punched knockouts that could be dislodged by frequent handling. A flexible cord wired into the box in the ceiling was suspending a 4-plex outlet with knockouts which were used to supply power to various power tools and lights.  This exposed employees to electrical shock hazards.

Issued

Sep 25, 2018

Abate by

Dec 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $1,885 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:    (a) Columbine Plastics Corporation located at 1815 Boxelder St., Louisville, CO 80027:  On and preceding 28 June, 2018, the employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met.  Operations and maintenance personnel work with materials and chemicals that include but are not limited to hydraulic oil, solid and liquid plastics, degreasers and slide Mold Shield Rust Preventive.  The employer did not develop, implement, and maintain a written hazard communication program which describes how labeling, safety data sheets, and training will met.

Issued

Sep 25, 2018

Abate by

Dec 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:    (a) Columbine Plastics Corporation located at 1815 Boxelder St., Louisville, CO 80027:  On and preceding 28 June, 2018, the employer did not ensure that employees were provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area. Operations and maintenance personnel work with materials and chemicals that include but are not limited to hydraulic oil, solid and liquid plastics, degreasers and slide Mold Shield Rust Preventive.  The employer did not develop, implement, and maintain a written hazard communication program which describes how labeling, safety data sheets, and training will met.

Issued

Sep 25, 2018

Abate by

Dec 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(1): Employers did not have a safety data sheet in the workplace for each hazardous chemical which they use    (a) Columbine Plastics Corporation located at 1815 Boxelder St., Louisville, CO 80027:  On and preceding 28 June, 2018, the employer did not ensure that safety data sheets were in the workplace for each hazardous chemical which they use. Operations and maintenance personnel work with materials and chemicals that include but are not limited to hydraulic oil, solid and liquid plastics, degreasers and slide Mold Shield Rust Preventive.  The employer provided MSDS's for the chemicals requested rather than SDS's.

Issued

Sep 25, 2018

Abate by

Dec 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE):      (a) Columbine Plastics Corporation located at 1815 Boxelder St., Louisville, CO 80027:  On and preceding 28 June, 2018,  production and maintenance personnel handle materials and chemicals which necessitate the use of specific types of personal protective equipment (PPE).   The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or were likely to be present.  The lack of hazards assessment and requirements set forth by the employer which performing these jobs exposes employees to thermal, mechanical and chemical absorption hazards.

Issued

Sep 25, 2018

Abate by

Dec 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification which included the requirements as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2):    (a) Columbine Plastics Corporation located at 1815 Boxelder St., Louisville, CO 80027:  On and preceding 28 June, 2018,  Production and maintenance personnel handle materials and chemicals which necessitate the use of specific types of personal protective equipment (PPE).  The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification.  The lack of hazards assessment and requirements set forth by the employer which performing these jobs exposes employees to thermal, mechanical and chemical absorption hazards.