OSHA Inspection: HILLS PRODUCT GROUP

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Nov 27, 2019

Penalty

Initial $2,273 · Current $2,273

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)Hills Products Group at 1421 Laurel Street, Whitewood, SD 57793: On or about and at times prior to June 18, 2019, the employer did not ensure that the Johnson horizontal bandsaw in the maintenance shop had the unused portion of the sawblade protected or otherwise guarded.  Four inches of unused exposed blade was not guarded on each side of the point of operation creating an amputation hazard for employees. This condition exposed employees to laceration and amputation hazards.  (b)Hills Products Group at 1421 Laurel Street, Whitewood, SD 57793:  On or about and at times prior to June 18, 2019, the employer did not ensure that the red Central horizontal bandsaw was equipped with a guarding covering the unused portion of the sawblade. The Central horizontal bandsaw did not have adjustable blade guard available which created an amputation hazard. This condition exposed employees to laceration and amputation hazards.  (c)Hills Products Group at 1421 Laurel Street, Whitewood, SD 57793: On or about and at times prior to June 18, 2019, the employer did not ensure that the sawblade of the in-service guardrail post machine was completely guarded in that, the operating employee was approximately 12 inches away from the point of operation associated with the exposed rotating blade. This condition exposed employees to laceration and amputation hazards.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Nov 27, 2019

Penalty

Initial $2,273 · Current $2,273

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulleys with parts 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):   (a)Hills Products Group at 1421 Laurel Street, Whitewood, SD 57793: On or about and at times prior to June 18, 2019, the employer did not ensure that a pulley involving a belt and pulley apparatus was appropriately guarded. The pulley transfers power to the cutting bit on the post pointer and was not completely enclosed. This condition exposed the employees to amputation hazard related to an ingoing nip point.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Nov 27, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1): The horizontal belt seven (7) feet or less from the floor level was not guarded:  (a)Hills Products Group at 1421 Laurel Street, Whitewood, SD 57793:  On or about and at times prior to June 18, 2019, the employer did not ensure that the horizontal belt and pulley that transfers power to the cutting bit on the post pointer was completely guarded to prevent amputation. The back of the assembly was not guarded. This condition exposed employees to an amputation hazard related to the point of operation associated with the belt and pulley.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Nov 27, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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)Hills Products Group at 1421 Laurel Street, Whitewood, SD 57793: On or about and at times prior to June 18, 2019, the employer did not ensure that a sprocket and chain assembly was enclosed. The sprocket and chain drives a debris removal conveyor which was located below the conveyor on the in-service post pointing machine was not provided with guard. This condition exposed the employees to amputation hazard related to an ingoing nip point created by the unguarded sprocket and chain assembly.  (b)Hills Products Group at 1421 Laurel Street, Whitewood, SD 57793: On or about and at times prior to June 18, 2019, the employer did not ensure that a sprocket and chain assembly was enclosed. The sprocket and chain drives the post conveyor table that provides posts into the post pointer machine. This condition exposed the employees to amputation hazard related to an ingoing nip point created by the unguarded sprocket and chain assembly.

Issued

Oct 31, 2019

Abate by

Nov 27, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.101(b): Section 3.3.1., Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P1 1965, as adopted by 29 CFR 1910.101(b): Compressed gas cylinders were not stored in accordance with all local, state, and municipal regulations and in accordance with appropriate standards of the Compressed Gas Association and the National Fire Protection Association:   (a)Hills Products Group at 1421 Laurel Street, Whitewood, SD 57793:  On or about and at times prior to June 18, 2019, the employer did not ensure that empty LPG compressed gas cylinders used to fuel the forklift in the maintenance shop was secured from accidental damage. This condition exposed employees to struck-by hazards.