OSHA Inspection: MASTERBLEND INTERNATIONAL LLC

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,304 · Current $3,075 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(b)(8): The employer did not ensure ladders were used only for the purposes for which they were designed.     Grinding Room.  On or about April 3, 2019 through April 17, 2019, employees accessed the grinder platform approximately 8 feet high via the rung-side of an A-frame step ladder that was used for access to the platform in place of a fixed ladder or stairs. The ladder was not designed by the manufacturer to be used in this manner.  Employees were exposed to falls.     There is no abatement certification or documentation required for this item.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,304 · Current $3,075 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i)(A): The employer did not ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level was protected from falling by a standard guardrail system:     Production and Warehouse Areas - On or about April 3, 2019, employees were exposed to fall hazards when they stood on a pallet being raised by a powered industrial truck approximately 6 feet above floor level.  This was done to clear a blockage in a hopper being fed from a conveyor and also to access information for customers from product stored at heights.  No method of fall protection was utilized by employees engaged in these activities.       There is not abatement documentation or certification required for this item.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,304 · Current $3,075 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(i): The employer did not ensure each employee was protected from falling through any hole (including skylights) that was 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level by one or more of the following: covers, guardrail systems, travel restraint systems, or personal fall arrest systems, as required by sub-items A through D of this section.    Water Soluble Blender Room.  On or about April 3 through April 17, 2019, employees working on the second level platform of the water soluble blender tower were exposed to fall hazards due to floor holes being present where the grated floor met the bottom of the blender hopper.  The floor holes measured approximately 6 inches wide by 3.6 feet long and they were not covered or guarded, nor was any other form of employee protection provided.     There is no abatement documentation or certification required for this item.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Oct 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,304 · Current $3,075 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(11)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each flight of stairs having at least 3 treads and at least 4 risers was equipped with a stair rail system.      Water Soluble Blender Room, Super Sak Station Platform.  On or about April 17, 2019 through May 22, 2019 employees accessing the Super Sak station platform were exposed to fall hazards or approximately 7.5 feet above the floor level due to missing top and mid rails on the left side of the platform stairs when descending (on the right side of the platform stairs when ascending).      Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Nov 12, 2019

Penalty

Initial $6,630 · Current $3,900 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:     Water Soluble Blender Room, Bosch Heat Sealer Machine.  On or about April 17, 2019, the employer did not develop, document and utilize energy control procedures for employees who performed end-of-shift cleaning of the inside of the heat sealer machine.  Employees removed and cleaned belts and machine components with a hand-held rag.  Employees did not deenergize and lockout the machine at the disconnect on the back of the machine panel, nor did they unplug the machine's 480v power cord from its power source.  Employees were exposed to amputations and thermal burns from ingoing nip points and sealer heat source in the event of the unexpected startup of the machine.     Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 1903.19(d).

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Nov 12, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not 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:  Water Soluble Blender Room, Bosch Heat Sealer Machine.  On or about April 17, 2019 through May 22, 2019, the employer did not provide training to ensure that employees understood the purpose and function of the energy control program and had the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage and removal of energy controls.  Employees who performed end-of-shift cleaning of the inside of the heat sealer machine and its components were not trained to deenergize and lockout the machine at the disconnect on the back of the machine panel or to unplug the 480v power cord from its power source, prior to starting servicing and maintenance.   Employees were exposed to amputations and thermal burns.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 1903.19(d).

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1): Portable fire extinguishers were not mounted, located and identified so that they were readily accessible without subjecting the employees to injuries:  Entire Facility.  Portable fire extinguishers (2) in the following areas were not mounted and subject to damage from being knocked over.  The condition could exacerbate a fire if extinguishers are damaged and not mounted and readily available for use:  a)    New building warehouse, a fire extinguisher was not mounted and was sitting on a concrete support column.  b)    Water soluble blender room, a fire extinguisher was not mounted and was sitting on the floor.  Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(b): Material stored in tiers was not stacked, blocked, interlocked or limited in height so that it was stable and secure against sliding and collapse:  Main Building, Warehouse Area.  Bagged fertilizer materials stored in tiers on pallets was observed to be unstable and subject to falling, exposing employees to contusions.  There is no abatement documentation or certification required for this item.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Oct 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1): Sufficient access and working space was not provided and maintained about all electric equipment (operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground) to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.  Mechanical Room.  On or about April 17, 2019 through May 22, 2019, the employer did not maintain at least 36 inches of clear space in front of motor control panels and circuit breaker panels up to 480v.  Employees entered the room to turn the compressor and overhead lights on and off.  Access to working space and shutoff in the event of an emergency was restricted by storage of materials and cardboard boxes.  Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c).