OSHA Inspection: ABLE MANUFACTURING

Issued

Aug 15, 2019

Abate by

Feb 28, 2020

Penalty

Initial $11,934 · Current $8,525 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces were not kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition:    The employer is failing to protect employees by establishing a regular  housekeeping schedule that would reduce the accumulation of dust in the  Marly/Trim and Drill Area. The lack of housekeeping allowed dust (fiberglass  powder) to accumulate on all surfaces in the work area to include on top of and  around numerous pieces of equipment, piping and support beams. This was most  recently documented on July 17, 2019 at 1000 S Schifferdecker Ave, Joplin, MO.  Employees are operating equipment that generated dust as part of the production  process.

Issued

Aug 15, 2019

Abate by

Feb 28, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): The employer did not ensure the floor of each workroom is maintained in a clean and, to the extent feasible, in a dry condition. When wet processes are used, drainage was not maintained and, to the extent feasible, dry standing places, such as false floors, platforms, and mats were not provided:    At a facility located at 1000 S Schifferdecker Ave, Joplin, MO: Employees were exposed to slip and fall hazards. This was demonstrated on February 22, 2019 when water was allowed to accumulate on the workroom floor due to a leak in the roof. The employer failed to address a leak in the roof was infiltrating the work area and pooling along the floor.

Issued

Aug 15, 2019

Abate by

Feb 28, 2020

Penalty

Initial $8,525 · Current $8,525

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(d)(1): Employee(s) were not able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge:    At a facility located at 1000 S Schifferdecker Ave, Joplin, MO: Employees were exposed to smoke inhalation, and/or fire hazards within an emergency exit route. This was demonstrated on February 22, 2019 when an emergency exit route door (#15) was locked from the inside. The employer failed to ensure that emergency exit routes are open during business hours as to not impede the emergency egress of employees out of the facility.

Issued

Aug 15, 2019

Abate by

Feb 28, 2020

Penalty

Initial $8,525 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(1): Exit routes contained flammable, explosive, combustible gases or flammable furnishings stored in the exit route.    At a facility located at 1000 Schiffendecker Ave, Joplin, MO: Employees were exposed to smoke inhalation, fire or explosion hazards within an emergency exit route. This was demonstrated on February 22, 2019 when oxygen and acetylene compressed gas cylinders were being stored near an exit route by the metal fabrication area. The employer failed to ensure that emergency exit routes are free of any hazards that could exacerbate a fire evacuation at the facility.

Issued

Aug 15, 2019

Abate by

Feb 28, 2020

Penalty

Initial $8,525 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:    At a facility located at 1000 Schiffendecker Ave, Joplin, MO: Employees were exposed to smoke inhalation, fire hazards within an emergency exit route. This was demonstrated on February 22, 2019 when several emergency exit routes were obstructed by the storage of production materials throughout the facility. The employer failed to ensure that emergency exit routes are free of obstacles that would impede the emergency egress of employees out of the facility.

Issued

Aug 15, 2019

Abate by

Feb 28, 2020

Penalty

Initial $8,525 · Current $8,525

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(b)(2): The interior surface of spray booth(s) were not smooth and continuous without edges and otherwise designed to prevent pocketing of residues and to facilitate cleaning and washing without injury:    At a facility located at 1000 S Schifferdecker Ave, Joplin, MO: Employees were exposed to fire hazards. This was demonstrated on February 22, 2019 and on July 17, 2019 when residue was found to have accumulated on the interior of the spray booths at the facility. The employer failed to ensure that the interiors of the paint booths were kept smooth and free of an accumulation of residues.

Issued

Aug 15, 2019

Abate by

Feb 28, 2020

Penalty

Initial $8,525 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(b)(9): Spray booths were not installed so that all portions were readily accessible for cleaning. A clear space of not less than 3 feet on all sides was not kept free from storage or combustible construction.    At a facility located at 1000 S Schifferdecker Ave, Joplin, MO: Employees were exposed to fire hazards. This was demonstrated on February 22, 2019 and on July 17, 2019 when flammable materials were being stored within three feet outside of the spray booths at the facility. The employer failed to ensure that paint booths were kept free of stored materials and were accessible to cleaning.

Issued

Aug 15, 2019

Abate by

Feb 28, 2020

Penalty

Initial $8,525 · Current $4,263 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:    At a worksite located at 1000 s Schifferdecker Ave, Joplin MO: Employees were exposed to respiratory hazards. This was demonstrated on July 17, 2019 when an industrial hygiene survey showed that employee were directed to wear respiratory protection while trimming and finishing on fiberglass molds. The employer failed to ensure the effective administration of their respiratory protection program. Medical evaluations had not been performed for employees directed to wear a respirator prior to there use.

Issued

Aug 15, 2019

Abate by

Feb 28, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1): The employer did not provide effective training to ensure that each employee could demonstrate knowledge of 1910.134(k)(1)(i) - (vii):    At a worksite located at 1000 S Schifferdecker Ave, Joplin MO: Employees were exposed to respiratory hazards. This was demonstrated on July 17, 2019 when an industrial hygiene survey showed employees were potentially being over exposed to airborne contaminants in the form of fiberglass dust. The employer failed to ensure the effective training had taken place with employees as part of their respiratory protection program.     a) An employee in Case Fargo did not seem to understand why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator. This was demonstrated when the employee had modified their respirator due to an uncomfortable fit.     b) An employee in Trim and Drill did not seem to understand how to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator. This was demonstrated when the employee wore the respirator with only one of the straps which would affect the seal of the respirator. In addition another employee had a full beard while wearing a respirator which can compromise the seals resulting in over exposure.     c) Employees in both Plant #1 and Plant #2 did not seem to understand what the procedures were for maintenance and storage of the respirator. This was demonstrated when respirators were observed out on workstations exposed to airborne contaminants.

Issued

Aug 15, 2019

Abate by

Feb 28, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,115 · Current $5,115

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(m)(5)(iii): When the operator of an industrial truck was dismounted and within 25 feet of the truck still in his view, the load engaging means were not fully lowered, controls neutralized, and the brakes set to prevent movement    At a facility located at 1000 S Schifferdecker Ave, Joplin, MO: Employees were exposed to struck by hazards. This was demonstrated on February 22, 2019 when a Caterpillar (5AM09509) and Drum (G25E) brand powered industrial truck were left unattended and did not have their brake set. The employer failed to ensure that employees did not leave power industrial trucks unattended without first setting the parking brake.

Issued

Aug 15, 2019

Abate by

Feb 28, 2020

Penalty

Initial $8,525 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(p)(1): Powered industrial truck(s) found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe had not been  taken out of service until restored to safe operating condition(s).    At a facility located at 1000 S Schifferdecker Ave, Joplin, MO: Employees were exposed to serious struck by injuries. This was demonstrated on February 22, 2019 when Hyster and Caterpillar brand powered industrial vehicles were not being properly maintained.     1. The Hyster powered industrial truck designated #9 did not have a backup alarm that would sound and a brake pedal missing a contact pad.     2. The Caterpillar powered industrial truck designated #6 had a damaged light that would not illuminate when backing up.    3. The Caterpillar powered industrial truck designated #9 had a back up alarm and a horn that were not operational. In addition the propane tank wheel handle was damaged and the smell of leaking propane was in the vicinity.

Issued

Aug 15, 2019

Abate by

Feb 28, 2020

Penalty

Initial $8,525 · Current $4,263 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8870

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(ii): There was a defect or evidence of damage to cord and plug connected equipment that could have exposes an employee to injury and the defective or damaged item was not removed from service and an employee was using it before repairs and tests necessary to render the equipment safe were made:    At a worksite located 1000 S Schifferdecker Ave, Joplin MO: Employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards. This was demonstrated on July 17, 2019 when pedestal fans were being used to provide cooling and dust removal from employee work areas. The pedestal fans were either plug into a receptacle directly or connected by an extension cord. Plugs were in use and found to be missing ground pins.     1) A TPI Industrial pedestal fan located in the Siemens line was missing a ground pin and in use.     2) A Global pedestal fan located in Case Finish was missing a ground pin and in use.    3) A Global pedestal fan located near F7 was missing a ground pin and in use.    4) A Kawasaki pedestal fan located near F7 was missing a ground pin and in use.    5) A Global pedestal fan located near Case Finish had strain relief and was in use.