OSHA Inspection: KOLLER INDUSTRIES

Issued

Aug 22, 2019

Abate by

Sep 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,834 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(5)(i): Locks, tags, chains, wedges, key blocks, adapter pins, self-locking fasteners, or other hardware shall be provided by the employer for isolating, securing or blocking of machines or equipment from energy sources.    The employer did not provide lockout tagout devices for employees engaging in servicing and maintenance work on pneumatic bench grinders, stand grinders, air compressors, outdoor wood boiler, dust collector, and other equipment throughout the facility.

Issued

Aug 22, 2019

Abate by

Sep 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $1,250

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): Application of control.  The established procedures for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) shall cover the following elements and actions and shall be done in the following sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6):    (a)  Employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with rotating parts, ingoing nip points, and caught-in hazards when engaged in servicing and maintenance activities on the 12 pneumatic grinding wheels throughout the facility.  The employer did not ensure that energy control application steps to control the pneumatic energy sources were implemented prior to allowing employees to change the grinding wheels on the bench grinders.  The machines were not shut down or properly turned off prior to engaging in the servicing and maintenance activity.      (b)  Employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with rotating parts, ingoing nip points, and caught-in hazards when engaged in servicing and maintenance activities on the 4 stand grinding machines throughout the facility.  The employer did not ensure that energy control application steps to control the electrical energy sources were implemented prior to allowing employees to change the grinding wheels on the stand grinders.  The machines were not shut down or properly turned off prior to engaging in the servicing and maintenance activity.      As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements, involving machine isolation [1910.147(d)(3)], lockout/tagout device application [1910.147(d)(4)], dissipation of residual energy [1910.147(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [1910.147(d)(6)] were not implemented to protect employees from machine servicing hazards.

Issued

Aug 22, 2019

Abate by

Sep 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,834 · Current $1,250 Reduced

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.    The employer was not conducting periodic inspections of their energy control procedures including performing servicing and maintenance tasks on their stand grinders, pneumatic bench grinders, air compressors, outdoor wood boiler, dust collectors, and electrical equipment among others.

Issued

Aug 22, 2019

Abate by

Sep 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,834 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(d)(1): Inspection. Immediately before mounting, all wheels shall be closely inspected and sounded by the user (ring test) to make sure they have not been damaged in transit, storage, or otherwise. The spindle speed of the machine shall be checked before mounting of the wheel to be certain that it does not exceed the maximum operating speed marked on the wheel. Wheels should be tapped gently with a light nonmetallic implement, such as the handle of a screwdriver for light wheels, or a wooden mallet for heavier wheels. If they sound cracked (dead), they shall not be used. This is known as the "Ring Test".    Employees at the facility were exposed to grinding wheels that had not been ring tested prior to their installation, thereby exposing them to struck-by and impalement hazards.

Issued

Aug 22, 2019

Abate by

Sep 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $4,168 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.243(c)(1): General requirements. Abrasive wheels shall be used only on machine provided with safety guards as defined in paragraph (c) (1) through (4) of this section.    (a)  On or about February 26, 2019, a Dewalt 4.5 inch angle grinder located at grinding station #6 was operated with the safety guard removed to grind castings.    (b)  On or about February 26, 2019, a Dewalt 4.5 inch angle grinder located at grinding station #10 was operated with the safety guard removed to grind castings.

Issued

Aug 22, 2019

Abate by

Sep 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $4,168 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Installation and use. Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling.    (a)  On or about February 26, 2019, a metallic outlet box (handy box) was not installed in accordance with the UL identifier QCIT which states the boxes shall be mounted in or on a surface.  The handy box was attached to metal clad wire to form a hard wired extension cord behind bench #10.    (b)  On or about February 26, 2019, a metal clad cable was not used in accordance with the UL Listing 1569 for Metal-Clad Cables as it was used as an extension cord on the ground where it was subjected to damage to power the tilt-table for stand grinder #4.

Issued

Aug 22, 2019

Abate by

Sep 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $4,168 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(i): Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings shall be protected from abrasion, and openings through which conductors enter shall be effectively closed.    (a)  On or about February 26, 2019, conduit above grinding station #2 was pulled apart from the junction box and not effectively closed exposing the conductors to strain and abrasion.    (b)  On or about February 26, 2019, conduit above grinding station #8 was pulled apart from the junction box and not effectively closed exposing the conductors to strain and abrasion.    (c)  On or about February 26, 2019, conduit above grinding station #9 was pulled apart from the junction box and not effectively closed exposing the conductors to strain and abrasion.    (d)  On or about February 26, 2019, conduit above grinding station #10 was pulled apart from the junction box and not effectively closed exposing the conductors to strain and abrasion.    (e)  On or about February 26, 2019, conduit above grinding station #12 was pulled apart from the junction box and not effectively closed exposing the conductors to strain and abrasion.    (f)  On or about February 26, 2019, the junction box providing power to the electric motor powering the Fox Model 630R4 stand grinder was not closed to the motor, placing strain on the conductors and exposing them to strain and abrasion.    (g)  On or about February 26, 2019, conduit on the east wall near the exit door was pulled away from the junction box and not effectively closed exposing the conductors to strain and abrasion.    (h)  On or about February 26, 2019, conduit fittings for the main power supply entering the building were damaged by forklifts and not effectively closed, exposing the conductors to strain and abrasion.

Issued

Aug 22, 2019

Abate by

Sep 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $1,250

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in cabinets, boxes, and fittings shall be effectively closed.    (a)  On or about February 26, 2019, two unused knockout openings on a junction box providing power to the grinding lines above station #10 were not effectively closed.    (b)  On or about February 26, 2019, an unused opening on the bottom of a 240 volt receptacle on the east wall near the exit door was missing a knockout plug.

Issued

Aug 22, 2019

Abate by

Sep 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $4,168 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(i)(3): Uses not permitted. Fixture wires may not be used as branch-circuit conductors except as permitted for Class 1 power limited circuits and for fire alarm circuits.    (a)  On or about February 26, 2019, fixture wire was used as a branch-circuit conductor on bench #11 to power electrical outlets, lights, and fans.    (b)  On or about February 26, 2019, fixture wire was hard wired into a junction box on bench #6 with live electrical ends that were covered with electrical tape.  The fixture wire used to power a fan.

Issued

Aug 22, 2019

Abate by

Sep 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $72,929 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(2): Guard design. The safety guard shall cover the spindle end, nut, and flange projections. The safety guard shall be mounted so as to maintain proper alignment with the wheel, and the strength of the fastenings shall exceed the strength of the guard, except:    (a)  The employer does not ensure a safety guard covering the spindle end, nut, and flange projection on the pneumatic bench grinder #2 is mounted and utilized, exposing employees to struck by hazards if the nut and wheel were to become lose and project off the equipment along with entanglement hazards.  This hazard was most recently observed on February 26, 2019.    (b)  The employer does not ensure a safety guard covering the spindle end, nut, and flange projection on the pneumatic bench grinder #6 is mounted and utilized, exposing employees to struck by hazards if the nut and wheel were to become lose and project off the equipment along with entanglement hazards.  This hazard was most recently observed on February 26, 2019.    (c)  The employer does not ensure a safety guard covering the spindle end, nut, and flange projection on the pneumatic bench grinder #8 is mounted and utilized, exposing employees to struck by hazards if the nut and wheel were to become lose and project off the equipment along with entanglement hazards.  This hazard was most recently observed on February 26, 2019.    (d)  The employer does not ensure a safety guard covering the spindle end, nut, and flange projection on the pneumatic bench grinder #10 is mounted and utilized, exposing employees to struck by hazards if the nut and wheel were to become lose and project off the equipment along with entanglement hazards.  This hazard was most recently observed on February 26, 2019.    (e)  The employer does not ensure a safety guard covering the spindle end, nut, and flange projection on the pneumatic bench grinder #12 is mounted and utilized, exposing employees to struck by hazards if the nut and wheel were to become lose and project off the equipment along with entanglement hazards.  This hazard was most recently observed on February 26, 2019.    Koller Industries was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1106600, citation number two, item number one, and was affirmed as final order on April 19, 2016, with respect to a workplace located at 1191 County Road B. Niagara, WI 54151.

Issued

Aug 22, 2019

Abate by

Sep 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $11,669 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Each authorized employee shall receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.    The employer did not train authorized employees performing servicing and maintenance activities on their energy control procedures and lockout tagout program for covered equipment including stand grinders, pneumatic powered bench grinders, air compressors, outdoor wood boilers, dust collector, and electrical equipment among others.    Koller Industries was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1106600, citation number one, item number two, and was affirmed as final order on April 19, 2016, with respect to a workplace located at 1191 County Road B. Niagara, WI 54151.

Issued

Aug 22, 2019

Abate by

Sep 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $29,172 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4): Work rests. On offhand grinding machines, work rests shall be used to support the work. They shall be of rigid construction and designed to be adjustable to compensate for wheel wear. Work rests shall be kept adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one-eighth inch to prevent the work from being jammed between the wheel and the rest, which may cause wheel breakage. The work rest shall be securely clamped after each adjustment. The adjustment shall not be made with the wheel in motion.    (a)  The employer did not ensure work rests were utilized and adjusted to within one-eighth inch of the wheel on pneumatic bench grinder #2.  The work rest was over one-eighth of an inch away from the wheel, exposing employee to struck by hazards during wheel failure and caught in hazards between the work rest and wheel.    (b)  The employer did not ensure work rests were utilized and adjusted to within one-eighth inch of the wheel on pneumatic bench grinder #6.  The work rest was adjusted to point downward and was not used to support the work during grinding of parts, exposing employees to abrasion hazards if they were to drop the part and inadvertently contact the wheel and struck by hazards if the wheel were to fail.    (c)  The employer did not ensure work rests were utilized and adjusted to within one-eighth inch of the wheel on pneumatic bench grinder #8.  The work rest was over one-eighth of an inch away from the wheel, exposing employee to struck by hazards during wheel failure and caught in hazards between the work rest and wheel.    (d)  The employer did not ensure work rests were utilized and adjusted to within one-eighth inch of the wheel on pneumatic bench grinder #10.  The work rest was over one-eighth of an inch away from the wheel, exposing employee to struck by hazards during wheel failure and caught in hazards between the work rest and wheel.    (e)  The employer did not ensure work rests were utilized and adjusted to within one-eighth inch of the wheel on pneumatic bench grinder #12.  The work rest was over one-eighth of an inch away from the wheel, exposing employee to struck by hazards during wheel failure and caught in hazards between the work rest and wheel.    (f)  The employer did not ensure work rests were utilized and adjusted to within one-eighth inch of the wheel on stand grinder #2.  The work rest was over one-eighth of an inch away from the wheel, exposing employee to struck by hazards during wheel failure and caught in hazards between the work rest and wheel.    (g)  The employer did not ensure work rests were utilized and adjusted to within one-eighth inch of the wheel on stand grinder #3.  The work rest was over one-eighth of an inch away from the wheel, exposing employee to struck by hazards during wheel failure and caught in hazards between the work rest and wheel.    Koller Industries was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1106600, citation number two, item number one, and was affirmed as final order on April 19, 2016, with respect to a workplace located at 1191 County Road B. Niagara, WI 54151.

Issued

Aug 22, 2019

Abate by

Sep 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $1,250

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9): Exposure adjustment. Safety guards of the types described in Subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this paragraph, where the operator stands in front of the opening, shall be constructed so that the peripheral protecting member can be adjusted to the constantly decreasing diameter of the wheel. The maximum angular exposure above the horizontal plane of the wheel spindle as specified in paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this section shall never be exceeded, and the distance between the wheel periphery and the adjustable tongue or the end of the peripheral member at the top shall never exceed one-fourth inch. (See Figures O-18, O-19, O-20, O-21, O-22, and O-23.)    (a)  The employer did not ensure the adjustable tongue guard was utilized and adjusted to within one-fourth inch of the wheel on pneumatic bench grinder #2.  The adjustable tongue guard was adjusted beyond one-fourth inch of the wheel exposing employees to stuck by hazards during wheel failure.    (b)  The employer did not ensure the adjustable tongue guard was utilized and adjusted to within one-fourth inch of the wheel on pneumatic bench grinder #6.  The adjustable tongue guard was adjusted beyond one-fourth inch of the wheel exposing employees to stuck by hazards during wheel failure.    (c)  The employer did not ensure the adjustable tongue guard was utilized and adjusted to within one-fourth inch of the wheel on pneumatic bench grinder #8.  The adjustable tongue guard was adjusted beyond one-fourth inch of the wheel exposing employees to stuck by hazards during wheel failure.    (d)  The employer did not ensure the adjustable tongue guard was utilized and adjusted to within one-fourth inch of the wheel on pneumatic bench grinder #10.  The adjustable tongue guard was adjusted beyond one-fourth inch of the wheel exposing employees to stuck by hazards during wheel failure.    (e)  The employer did not ensure the adjustable tongue guard was utilized and adjusted to within one-fourth inch of the wheel on pneumatic bench grinder #12.  The adjustable tongue guard was removed from the grinder exposing employees to stuck by hazards during wheel failure.    Koller Industries was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1106600, citation number two, item number one, and was affirmed as final order on April 19, 2016, with respect to a workplace located at 1191 County Road B. Niagara, WI 54151.

Issued

Aug 22, 2019

Abate by

Sep 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $4,169 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1): Space about electric equipment. Sufficient access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.    (a)  On or about February 26, 2019, the employer did not ensure employees had access to panel b located on the west wall of the shop.  The electrical panel was surrounded with part baskets that were stacked in the working space of the equipment.    (b)  On or about February 26, 2019, the employer did not ensure the electrical disconnects located on the east wall powering the stand grinder were provided sufficient working space and access.  Employees stored their tool boxes in front of the equipment.     Koller Industries was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1106600, citation number two, item number two, and was affirmed as final order on April 19, 2016, with respect to a workplace located at 1191 County Road B. Niagara, WI 54151.

Issued

Aug 22, 2019

Abate by

Sep 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $20,838 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): All pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings shall be provided with covers identified for the purpose. If metal covers are used, they shall be grounded. In completed installations, each outlet box shall have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy. Covers of outlet boxes having holes through which flexible cord pendants pass shall be provided with bushings designed for the purpose or shall have smooth, well-rounded surfaces on which the cords may bear.    (a)  On or about February 26, 2019, the cover for the bottom of a junction box on grinding station #6 was removed exposing the conductors and connections.    (b)  On or about February 26, 2019, the outlet cover for a junction box on grinding station #8 was removed exposing the conductors and connections.    (c)  On or about February 26, 2019, the outlet cover for a junction box powering the outdoor boilers on the east wall was removed exposing the conductors and connections inside.    Koller Industries was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1106600, citation number two, item number three, and was affirmed as final order on April 19, 2016, with respect to a workplace located at 1191 County Road B. Niagara, WI 54151.

Issued

Aug 22, 2019

Abate by

Sep 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $29,172 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(ii): If there is a defect or evidence of damage that might expose an employee to injury, the defective or damaged item shall be removed from service, and no employee may use it until repairs and tests necessary to render the equipment safe have been made.    (a)  On or about February 26, 2019, the employer did not remove a damaged extension cord with a missing ground pin from service that was powering a Dewalt angle grinder located at grinding station #10.    (b)  On or about February 26, 2019, the employer did not remove a Dewalt 4.5 inch angle grinder from service that had a damaged cord located at grinding station #10.    Koller Industries was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1106600, citation number two, item number four, and was affirmed as final order on April 19, 2016, with respect to a workplace located at 1191 County Road B. Niagara, WI 54151.