OSHA Inspection: BALANSTAR CORPORATION

Issued

Jan 17, 2020

Abate by

Feb 13, 2020

Penalty

Initial $3,084 · Current $1,400 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 from crushing or struck by hazards when utilizing damaged safety latches on crane hooks, hoists that did not have functioning upper limit switch and unmarked pendant controls:      a) Machine Area & Services and Machine Assembly Area- On August 5, 2019, employees operating hoists, including the Budgit Hoist &1/4 Ton Jib Crane, yellow Yale 1 Ton Jib Crane, Lodestar ½ Ton Jib Crane, and Coffing ½ Ton Jib Crane, to lift and move pieces of metal and equipment ranging from 300 to 1000 pounds using hooks that were missing the safety latch.    Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to follow the guidelines in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B30.10 "Hooks- Safety Standard for Cableways, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Hooks Jacks, and Slings" 2014, Section 10.1.10 Inspection, Removal, and Repair. The employer must ensure that inspections are being conducted on hooks and hooks found with damage shall be removed. Repairs shall be approved by the manufacturer or a qualified person.    b) Machine Area & Services and Machine Assembly Area- On August 5, 2019, employees were operating hoists that did not have a functioning upper limit switch on Jib Cranes, including the Budgit Hoist 1/4 Ton Jib Crane, yellow Yale 1 Ton Jib Crane, Lodestar ½ Ton Jib Crane, orange Yale 1 Ton Jib Crane, and Coffing ½ Ton Jib Crane, to lift and move pieces of metal and equipment ranging from 300 to 1000 pounds.    Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to follow the guidelines in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B30.16-2007, Overhead Hoists (Underhung), Section 16-2.2.1(b)(3) Operational Tests. Trip-setting of limit devices shall be determined by tests under no-load conditions. Tests shall be conducted first by hand, if practical, and then under slowest speed obtainable. Actuating mechanisms shall be located so that they will trip the switches or limiting devices in sufficient time to stop motion without damage to any part of the hoisting arrangement.    c) Machine Area & Services and Machine Assembly Area- On or about July 29, 2019, employees were operating hoists, including the yellow Yale 1 Ton Jib Crane, Lodestar 1/2 Ton Jib Crane and the orange Yale 1 Ton Jib Crane, to lift and move pieces of metal and equipment ranging from 300 to 1000 pound using controls that were not marked to indicate their function or had damaged or missing buttons.    Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means to correct these hazards is to follow the guidelines in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B30.11 "Monorail and Underhung Cranes- Safety Standard for Cableways, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Hooks, Jacks, and Slings" 2010, Section 11-1.1.6 Construction and Installation, Controls. Each control actuator shall be legibly marked to indicate the function and direction of movement.      d) Machine Area & Services and Machine Assembly Area- On or about July 29, 2019, employees were operating Jib Cranes, including the yellow Yale 1 Ton Jib Crane, Lodestar 1/2 Ton Jib Crane, and orange Yale 1 Ton Jib Crane, to lift and move pieces of metal and equipment ranging from 300 to 1000 pounds that did not have plainly marked load ratings on each side of the crane bridge girder, or other component attached to the crane bridge girder, and legible from the ground or floor.    Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to follow the guidelines in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B30.17-2006, Overhead and Gantry Cranes (Top Running Bridge, Single Girder, Underhung Hoist), Section 17-1.1.1 General Construction and Installation: Markings -Rated Load Markings ? Crane. The rated load of the crane shall be marked on each side of the crane bridge girder, or other component attached to the crane bridge girder, and shall be legible from the ground or floor.

Issued

Jan 17, 2020

Abate by

Feb 13, 2020

Penalty

Initial $3,084 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding were 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) Machine Area & Services- On August 5, 2019, the employer did not ensure that employees were adequately protected from rotating parts and flying chips from equipment, such as the LeBlond Regal Lathe.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Jan 17, 2020

Abate by

Feb 13, 2020

Penalty

Initial $2,313 · Current $1,387 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4): Grinding machinery was not used with work rest(s) to support offhand grinding work and/or was not adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one eighth inch:       a) Machine Area & Services- On or about August 5, 2019, the employer did not ensure that work rests were installed to support grinding work on equipment, such as the Wilton Model #155 Bench Grinder.       In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Jan 17, 2020

Abate by

Feb 13, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9): The distance between the abrasive wheel periphery(s) and the adjustable tongue or the end of the safety guard peripheral member at the top exceeded one fourth inch:     a) Machine Area & Services- On or about August 5, 2019, the employer did not ensure that the tongue guards on the Balder Bench Grinder and the Wilton Model #155 Bench Grinder were properly adjusted to not exceed one fourth of an inch.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Jan 17, 2020

Abate by

Feb 13, 2020

Penalty

Initial $2,313 · Current $2,313

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:    a) Machine Area & Services- On August 5, 2019, the employer did not ensure that all electrical equipment was installed and used in accordance with its listing and labeling. A power strip was used to power an extension cord.    b) Machine Area & Services - On August 5, 2019, the employer did not ensure that all electrical equipment was installed and used in accordance with its listing and labeling. An electrical junction box, which is intended to be mounted to a wall and wired with permanent conduit, was not mounted to a wall or fixed location and was used as an electrical drop down to power lights and an extension cord.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Jan 17, 2020

Abate by

Feb 13, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii): 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(s) contained therein:     a) Machine Area & Services- On August 5, 2019, the employer did not ensure that all secondary containers of hazardous chemicals in the workplace were labeled with the identity of the chemical and the information regarding the physical and health hazards of the chemicals contained therein, including secondary containers of Naphtha.       Hazardous chemicals in these containers include, but are not limited to light aliphatic solvent naphtha.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).