OSHA Inspection: CLARIANT PLASTICS & COATINGS USA INC.

Issued

Nov 18, 2019

Abate by

Dec 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $4,641 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): Procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(A), (c)(4)(ii)(B), (c)(4)(ii)(C) and (c)(4)(ii)(D):  37X, Gala underwater pelletizer, 86 Industrial Drive, Holden, MA: On or about August 16, 2019 the employer's Lock out Tag out program procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the control of hazardous energy isolation in relation to the thermal hazards associated with the pelletizer and extruder.  (a) Thermal hazards. The procedure did not list the hot water or bleed valve located at the base of the extruder throat which contained water in excess of 150 degrees Fahrenheit. (b) Thermal Hazards.  The procedure did not list the Thermal hazards associated with the heater portion of the extruder which was designed to melt the plastic pellets in the screw area of extruder.  Specific abatement documentation that this violation has been corrected must be provided within 10 days of the abatement in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1).

Issued

Nov 18, 2019

Abate by

Dec 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $4,641 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(e)(1): Before lockout or tagout devices were removed and energy was restored to the machine or equipment, authorized employees did not inspect the work area to ensure that nonessential items had been removed and that machine or equipment is operationally in tact:  37X, Gala underwater pelletizer, 86 Industrial Drive, Holden, MA: On or about August 16, 2019 the employer had not ensured that prior to returning machine to service after LOTO that GALA 37X underwater pelletizer had been returned to its operationally intact state prior to restarting the machine exposing employee to burn hazards from a partially opened inline valve which contained water in excess of 150 degrees Fahrenheit.  The procedure did not include instructions to ensure that valve was inspected and verified as fully closed prior to restarting the machine.   Specific abatement documentation that this violation has been corrected must be provided within 10 days of the abatement in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1).

Issued

Nov 18, 2019

Abate by

Dec 13, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(e)(2)(i): Before lockout or tagout devices were removed and energy was restored to the machine or equipment, authorized employees did not ensure that all employees had been safely positioned or removed from the work area:   37X, Gala underwater pelletizer, 86 Industrial Drive, Holden, MA: On or about August 16, 2019 employee's had not been removed from the hazard area when energy was restored to the GALA 37X underwater pelletizer exposing employee to burn hazards from a partially opened inline valve which contained water in excess of 150 degrees Fahrenheit.   Specific abatement documentation that this violation has been corrected must be provided within 10 days of the abatement in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1).