OSHA Inspection: NEW MILFORD BLOCK & SUPPLY CORPORATION

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $10,210 · Current $6,126 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees such as rotating parts and in-running nip points:      In the following locations, adequate emergency stop devices had not been provided on conveyor equipment were employees were exposed to rotating parts and in-running nip points:    A.  Truck Pit:  On, or about, June 7, 2019, an employee was fatally injured when he was pulled in the in-running nip point at the tail pulley.  The emergency stop trip cord provided was not maintained in an operable condition in that the cross pulley to direct the cable to the non-ramp side was broken/missing and there was an excessive amount of slack on the cable.    Abatement Note:  The non-ramp side of the conveyor may need to have an independent emergency stop cable installed.  The direction and amount of force needed to trip the emergency stop device located near the head pulley renders the cable ineffective.    B.  Block Plant, Block Machine:  On, or about, July 24, 2019, there were several chain conveyors that created in-running nip points.  No emergency stop cable or device was located in the in close proximity to the conveying equipment.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $4,376 · Current $2,626 Reduced

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.    Truck Pit:  On, or about, June 7, 2019, material that had spilled off the inclined conveyor had accumulated on the floor of the pit.  The material encroached on the working space of the conveyor and created a slipping/tripping hazard on the floor.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $4,376 · Current $2,626 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(4): The side rails of through or sidestep ladders did not extend 42 inches (1.1 m) above the top of the access level or landing platform served by the ladder:     Block Plant, Skip Hoist Pit:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, the fixed ladder provided to access the skip hoist pit did not extend above the floor at the top landing.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,293 · Current $4,376 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(iv): Each employee was not protected from falling into the ladderway platform hole at the entrance to the hole by a self-closing gate or offset:    Inclined Conveyor Catwalk:  On, or about, June 24, 2019, a self-closing gate or other protective mechanism was not provided at the bottom of the inclined catwalk to prevent an employee from slipping on the catwalk surface and falling down through the ladder opening in the Transition Shed platform.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,834 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(7): 1910.28(b)(7): The employer did not ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface near an opening, including one with a chute attached, where the inside bottom edge of the opening is less than 39 inches (99 cm) above that walking-working surface and the outside bottom edge of the opening is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling:       Block Plant:  On, or about, June 18, 2018, standard guardrails, grates or other protective means had not been provided to prevent fall hazards into chutes that were located above the mixer and block machine.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,293 · Current $4,376 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(15): Walking-working surfaces not otherwise addressed. Except as provided elsewhere in this section or by other subparts of this part, the employer must ensure each employee on a walking-working surface 4 feet (1.2m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by: (i) Guardrail systems; (ii) Safety net systems; or (iii) Personal fall protection systems, such as personal fall arrest, travel restraint, or positioning systems.    Truck Belt and Silo Loading Area:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, cement blocks that had been installed along the top of retaining wall were measured to be approximately 20.5 inches above the ground.  The height of the blocks did not offer the equivalent protection as standard handrails.  Also, adequate fall protection was not provided along the side of the warehouse building along the access road ramp.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,293 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.29(b)(1): The top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, were not 42 inches, plus or minus 3 inches, above the walking-working surface:    On, or about, June 18, 2019, guardrail systems provided for the following fixed stairs were measured to be less than the minimum of 39 inches allowed by the regulation:    A.  Stairs leading from the Main Plant, Block Machine to the upper work platform and exterior door, upper landing.   B.  Stairs leading to the Compressor Room, upper landing.  C.  Stairs leading to the Break Room, upper landing.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $2,626

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(4)(iii): Oxygen cylinders in storage were not separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one half of an hour:      Front Storage Room:  On, or about, June 12, 2019, two oxygen cylinders were stored within six feet of two acetylene cylinders.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $4,376

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2): The employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces:      Company:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, the following permit required confined spaces were not posted or labeled:    A.  Block Plant: Skip hoist pit.  B.  Silo 1, cement silo.  C.  Silo 2, white cement silo.  D.  The five bin compartments in the enclosed silo building.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4): When the employer decided that its employees would enter permit spaces, the employer did not develop and implement a written permit space entry program that complied with 29 CFR 1910.146:  Block Plant, Skip hoist pit:  The employer had not developed and documented entry procedures into the pit for regular cleaning.  Employees were required to enter the pit 1 to 2 two times per month and perform duties while working under the suspended skip hoist bucket.    Abatement Note:  The employer may be able to develop and follow procedures that will allow the space to be declassified as a non-permit space once entry procedures have been followed and the employer has documented that all hazards have been eliminated.  Ref. 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(7).

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $10,210 · Current $6,126 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:    Truck Pit:  On, or about, June 7, 2019, an employee was fatally injured when he was pulled into the tail pulley of an inclined conveyor belt.  At the time of the incident, the conveyor system was not locked out in accordance with the employer's Lockout/Tagout procedures.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 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:   Company:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, employees who were assigned tasks such as inspecting, cleaning, greasing and repairing machines that required entry into and around hazardous areas of machine had not been provided with training regarding lockout/tagout procedures.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,293 · Current $4,376 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(D): Lockout devices and tagout devices did not indicate the identity of the employee applying the device(s):    Block Plant, Mixer:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, an employee(s) who entered the mixer at the conclusion of each shift was not assigned a lockout device to isolate the disconnect switch.  He normally used an unlabelled lock that was stored on the disconnect device.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(4)(i): Lockout or tagout devices were not affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees:  Block Plant, Mixer and Block Machine:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, an employee(s) who conducted weekly inspections, cleaning, greasing and maintenance on production equipment such as, but not limited to, the mixer, pit and block machine, entered the equipment after it was locked out by another person.  He was not provided with an assigned lock(s) and did not affix his own lock(s) on all isolating points prior to entering the equipment to perform the assigned task(s).

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D): Each authorized employee did not affix a personal lockout or tagout device to the group lockout device before working on the machine or equipment:      Truck Pit:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, employees were assigned to clean the truck pit.  Employees were using shovels and buckets to remove a build-up of material that required that they work in close proximity to the conveyor system and walk up and down the ramp to carry buckets of material.  The conveyor disconnect box had been locked out by the Plant Manager.  The employees who were working around the equipment in the pit had not affixed individual locks to the disconnect box.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $10,210 · Current $6,126 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.  Truck Pit:  On, or about, June 7, 2019, the guard provided for truck conveyor tail pulley was not installed on the machine.  An employee suffered fatal injuries when he was pulled into the in-running nip point created by the tail pulley and conveyor belt.  B.  Silo:  On, or about, July 24, 2019, the finish end of the inclined conveyor was not provided with a guard over the head pulley in-running nip point.  C.  Silo:  On, or about, July 24, 2019, the belt pulleys provided at either end of the traversing conveyor were not provided with a guard and/or access to the path of the conveyor was not prevented.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,834 · Current $3,500 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):      Block Plant, Mixer:  On, or about, June 7, 2019, the spoked drive pulley provided on the mixer was partially guarded.  The existing guard allow entry to the spoked area of the pulley during operation.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i): Vertical or inclined belt(s) were not enclosed by guard(s) conforming to the requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    A.  Block Plant, Mixer:  On, or about, June 7, 2019, the in-running nip points created by the seven drive belts were not fully enclosed in a guard.  B.  Block Plant, Bessermatic:  On, or about, July 24, 2019, the belt provided on the sweeper was not provided with a guard.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,834 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings shall be effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment.     Block Plant, Panel LC-3:  An opening was left in the dead front at position 28.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $3,500

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i): Except as elsewhere required or permitted by Subpart S of Part 1910, live parts of electric equipment operating  at 50 volts or more were not guarded against accidental contact by use of approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures or by any of the means identified in paragraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i):    A.  Block Plant, near Belt System Controls:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, an internal shield was not installed in the Tork timer enclosure.        B. Front Storage Room, near Main Disconnect Switch:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, an internal shield was not installed in the Tork time enclosure.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $4,376 · Current $2,626 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(C): For electric equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, and likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized, the work space was not clear and did not extend from the grade, floor, or platform to the height required by paragraph (g)(1)(vi) of 29 CFR 1910.303.  Other equipment associated with the electrical installation extended more than 153 mm (6 in.) beyond the front of the electric equipment:     Block Plant:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, a Dongan transformer was located in the working space for the I-T-E 120/208 volt panelboard.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $4,376 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(b)(4): Outlet devices had an ampere rating less than the load being served:    Break Area:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, a Magic Chef microwave oven and Kuerig 2.0 coffee maker were energized through the same 15 ampere wall receptacle.  The combined load of the two appliances was calculated to be approximately 20.5 amperes.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,293 · Current $4,376 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(g)(5): The path to ground from circuits, equipment, and enclosures was not permanent, continuous, and effective:     Truck Pit:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, the extension cord that was used to energize a portable work light was missing the ground pin.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(ii): There was a defect or evidence of damage that could have exposes an employee to injury and the defective or damaged item was not removed from service:  Truck Pit:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, the extension cord that was used to energize a portable work light had a cracked outer jacket, exposing the inner conductors at the male fitting.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,834 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(i): Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not protected from abrasions:    A.  Block Plant, Main Floor:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, liquid tight conduit that connected the MGM transformer to the rear of the splitter/turnover control enclosure was pulled from the enclosure, exposing the inner conductors.    B.  Block Plant, Main Floor, Pattern Maker:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, liquid tight conduit provided for line shaft power was pulled from the side of an electrical box.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): Pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers approved for the purpose:    A.  Truck Pit:  On, or about, June 7, 2019, a cover was not provided on the wall mounted junction box for the aggregate chute vibrator.   B.  Compressor Room:  On, or about, June 7, 2019, a cover was not provided on the wall mounted raceway located on the right side of the conveyor system disconnect box.  C.  Tool Room:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, a cover was not provided on a wall mounted junction box near the boiler.  D.  Front Storage Room:  On, or about, June 7, 2019, a cover was not provided on a wall mounted junction box near the main electrical service disconnect switch.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,834 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.332(b)(1): Employees were not trained in and familiar with the safety-related work practices required by 1910.331 through 1910.335 that pertained to their respective job assignments:    Company:  On, or about, July 24, 2019, maintenance personnel had not been trained regarding what work practices and protective equipment was required to protect them against electric shock, arc flash and arc blast hazards while performing live trouble-shooting and verifying whether or not electrical equipment was properly de-energized.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i): Employees working in areas where there were potential electrical hazards were not provided with electrical protective equipment that was appropriate for the specific parts of the body that needed to be protected and for the work being performed:  Company:  On, or about, July 24, 2019, personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, voltage rated gloves, fire resistive clothing, face shields and balaclavas were not provided to employees who performed live electrical work, including trouble-shooting, or who verified that electrical equipment was properly de-energized.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(ii): Protective equipment was not maintained in a safe, reliable condition and/or was not periodically inspected or tested:  Company:  On, or about, July 17, 2019, voltage rated gloves worn by the Plant Manager to perform electrical testing were approximately one year old.  The gloves had not been replaced or inspected within the previous six months.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $14,587 · Current $8,752 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven -7 feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:    A.  Block Plant, Bessermatic:  A chain and sprocket drive was located under the lift section of the machine was not provided with a guard.    B.  Block Plant, Bessermatic:  Three chain and sprocket drives were located under the section of the machine where blocks were taken off the forming board.  The chain drives were not provided with a guard.  C.  Block Plant, Roller conveyor:  The chain and sprocket drive for the chain conveyor line shaft was provided with a partial guard that offered limited protection for the periphery of the drive, but no protection for the face of the drive where in-running nip points were located.    New Milford Block & Supply Corporation was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 1296736, Citation Number 1, Item Number 1c and was affirmed as a Final Order on March 27, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at New Milford, Connecticut.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3): Portable fire extinguishers were not subjected to an annual maintenance check:     Plant:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, portable fire extinguishers distributed throughout the plant had last been inspected in 2017.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(f)(2): Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its disconnecting means or overcurrent device, was not legibly marked to indicate its purpose, nor located and arranged so the purpose was evident:   Compressor Room:  On, or about, June 18, 2019, the following were not labeled:  A.  The disconnect switch for the conveyor belt system. B.  Siemens I-T-E panelboard, two three-pole circuit breakers. C.  Siemens I-T-E Indoor Load center, approximately half of the circuit breakers.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Dec 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii): Except as provided in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(7) and 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(8), the employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, would provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical:   Front Storage Room:  On, or about, July 24, 2019, the used oil storage tank was not provided with a label.

Issued

Sep 18, 2019

Abate by

Nov 5, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,834 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(a)(4): Modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operation of powered industrial truck were performed by the employer without the manufacturer's prior written approval and capacity ,operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags or decals of the powered industrial truck were not changed accordingly:    Block Machine:  On, or about, April 4, 2019, a boom attachment was used with the Yale fork truck, serial number D875V04302N during a gear box overhaul project.  The fork truck was not marked to indicate the reduced capacity of the fork truck when the boom attachment was used.