OSHA Inspection: TENNECO INC.

Issued

Jul 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $13,260 · Current $7,946 Reduced

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.    The employer failed to conduct an  adequate workplace hazards assessment to identify  personal protective equipment to be utilized to protect employees from overhead hazards.  This was most recently documented on April 2, 2019 on the FCA line where lifting devices were located at Tenneco Inc. located at 111 Izzak Rd in Seward, NE  68434.  Employees on the FCA line were using lifting devices and were not protected from falling loads.

Issued

Jul 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.135(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee wear a protective helmet when working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects.  The employer failed to protect employees in the workplace with head Personal protective equipment by requiring the use of head protection when working in under the hook operations.  This was most evidenced by the incident occurring on March 27, 2019.  Employees were not protected from overhead falling loads associated with the hoist operations performed on the FCA line as they operated lifting devices.

Issued

Jul 15, 2019

Abate by

Aug 30, 2019

Penalty

Initial $13,260 · Current $7,946 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(e)(3)(i): Trolley(s) were not provided with bumpers or other automatic means of equivalent effect.    The employer is failing to incorporate bumpers on overhead trolley(s) as to minimize impact forces sustained by employees moving exhaust units with hoist/crane units with trolleys, from carts to and from the robotic welder.  This was most recently documented on April 2, 2019 on the FCA line where overhead crane/hoist units with trolleys are in use, at Tenneco Inc.  111 Izzak Rd in Seward, NE  68434 on the FCA SCR production cell.  Employees on the FCA SCR line were using lifting devices and were not protected from the overhead hazards and resulting hazards, of trolley units not having impact absorbing or bumper devices installed that minimize shock impacts and resulting fatigue of parts.

Issued

Jul 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(e)(3)(iii): Trolley bumper(s) or equivalent were not designed and installed to minimize parts falling from the trolley(s) in case of breakage.  The employer failed to protect the employees by ensuring trolley(s) was equipped with devices to keep parts from falling from overhead and creating hazards to the employees. This most recently was documented on 4/2/2019 on the FCA production line at Tenneco Inc. in Seward, NE.  Employees on the FCA line were operating lifting devices consisting of hoist unit, trolley and overhead bridge crane configurations., and were subjected to potential failure of these components that have no safeguards incorporated while working on the FCA line.

Issued

Jul 15, 2019

Abate by

Aug 30, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(n)(3)(iii)(a): There is no sudden acceleration or deceleration of the moving load.    The employer failed to ensure that overhead loads are not impacting end of travel range of motions from the initial picking up of the part cradles to the robotic welder, and returning to the cradle finish area. This was most recently observed at Tenneco, Inc at 111 Izzak Rd Seward, NE 68434 on April 2, 2019.  Hoisted load operations were performed on the FCA line without a cushioning or absorbing device where overhead rail hardware end stop bolts are routinely impacted on each end of the work cell where exhaust assemblies are moved.

Issued

Jul 15, 2019

Abate by

Aug 30, 2019

Penalty

Initial $13,260 · Current $7,946 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(j)(2): The following items were not be inspected for defects at intervals as defined in paragraph (j)(1)(ii) of this section or as specifically indicated, including observation during operation for any defects which might appear between regular inspections.    The employer failed to ensure inspections of hoist/crane units, to include between regular inspections were performed, that would have detected wear on the hoist hook (to connect the work). This was most recently observed on April 2, 2019 at Tenneco, Inc at 111 Izzak Rd Seward, NE 68434.  Under the hook operations were not performed adequately in pre use inspection(s) that included lower hook (working end) damages and or wear.  Employees on the FCA SCR production line performed Under the hook operations and inspected prior to use, but not inspecting the lower connect hook to prevent the hook failure while operating the hoist movements required in their workplace tasks.

Issued

Jul 15, 2019

Abate by

Aug 30, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(j)(3)(iv): Worn, cracked or distorted parts such as pins, bearings, shafts, gears, rollers, locking and clamping devices.    The employer is failing to ensure that components of the hoist/crane unit(s) are free of worn or cracked defects. This was most recently observed at Tenneco, Inc 111 Izzak Road  in Seward, NE 68434 on April 2, 2019.  Employees  are performing under the hook operations on the FCA SCR production line where defected, worn, and cracked hardware failed on a trolley that rides on a bridge crane scenario.  Failure of the hoist unit components have no safeguards to protect the operators from overhead hazards working below them.