OSHA Inspection: JEFFERSON INDUSTRIES CORPORATION

Issued

Apr 1, 2020

Abate by

May 6, 2020

Penalty

Initial $13,494 · Current $6,747 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): Training and communication. The employer shall 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. The training shall include the following:  29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Each authorized employee shall receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.  a. On or about November 21, 2020, the employer did not perform and authorized employees did not receive training required by this part for covered activities related to nut alley welding machines, including but not limited to the W-14 welding machine (Dengensha, model NDC-50-410.) Employees performed set-up activities for welding machines and servicing activities that included changing electrodes, cleaning electrodes and adjusting the mechanical sensors.  On this date, an employee suffered the partial amputation of the right index finger while setting up the machine for operation.

Issued

Apr 1, 2020

Abate by

May 6, 2020

Penalty

Initial $13,494 · Current $6,747 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(i): Group lockout or tagout. When servicing and/or maintenance is performed by a crew, craft, department or other group, they shall utilize a procedure which affords the employees a level of protection equivalent to that provided by the implementation of a personal lockout or tagout device.  On or about November 21, 2019, the employer did not provide and employees did not utilize a procedure for hazardous energy control (lockout/tagout) when working on the W-14 welding machine (Dengensha, model NDC-50-410.) During activities covered by this part, two employees performed set-up activities that included changing electrodes and adjusting the mechanical sensor without an orderly shutdown, without applying a group lockout/tagout mechanism and without applying a lock, tag or both. Due to this condition, employees were exposed to stored mechanical energy associated with the unexpected energization of this equipment. On this date, an employee suffered the partial amputation of the right index finger while setting up the machine for operation.

Issued

Apr 1, 2020

Abate by

May 6, 2020

Penalty

Initial $12,723 · Current $6,362 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.255(b): Resistance welding. Spot and seam welding machines (non-portable) -  29 CFR 1910.255(b)(4): Guarding. All press welding machine operations, where there is a possibility of the operator's fingers being under the point of operation, shall be effectively guarded by the use of a device such as an electronic eye safety circuit, two hand controls or protection similar to that prescribed for punch press operation, 1910.217. All chains, gears, operating bus linkage, and belts shall be protected by adequate guards, in accordance with 1910.219 of this part.  On or about November 21, 2019, spot type resistance welding machines in the Nut Alley area were not effectively guarded to prevent the possibility of operator's fingers in the point of operation. The following welding machines were not effectively guarded:  a. W-14, Dengensha, model NDC-50-410,  b. W-8, Dengensha, model ND-50-46,  c. W-5, Dengensha, model NDX-50-410, d. W-15, Dengensha, model NDC-50-410, e. W-3, Dengensha, model ND-35-66-5 and  f. W-4, Denyou Kogyo, model DST-50406-15.  Due to the lack of adequate machine guarding for the point of operation for these resistance welding machines, employees had exposure to caught-in and crushing hazards during machine operation.

Issued

Apr 1, 2020

Penalty

Initial $10,603 · Current $5,302 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8870

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1): Examination. Electric equipment shall be free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. Safety of equipment shall be determined using the following considerations:  29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1)(viii): Other factors that contribute to the practical safeguarding of persons using or likely to come in contact with the equipment.  a. On or about November 26, 2019, the electrical power supply for a welding machine in nut alley was wired into and through the door opening of the control panel for machine W-8 (Dengensha, model ND-50-46.) Due to this condition, employees who operated this machine had exposure to electric shock hazards and increased risk for electrocution.

Issued

Apr 1, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8870

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g): Flexible cords and cables --  29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2): Identification, splices and terminations.   29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables shall be connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief is provided that will prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws.  a. On or about November 26, 2019, the electrical power supply for a welding machine in nut alley was wired into and through the door opening of the control panel for  machine W-8 (Dengensha, model ND-50-46.) The termination of the power supply wiring into the machine was not installed with strain relief protection. Due to this condition, employees who operated this machine had exposure to electric shock hazards and increased risk for electrocution.

Issued

Apr 1, 2020

Abate by

May 6, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): Periodic inspection. The employer shall conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements of this standard are being followed.  29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i)(C): Where lockout is used for energy control, the periodic inspection shall include a review, between the inspector and each authorized employee, of that employee's responsibilities under the energy control procedure being inspected.  a. On or about November 26, 2019, the employer's periodic inspection did not include a review with authorized employees who performed covered duties related to the energy control procedures for the nut alley welding machines. Authorized employees performed covered duties related to welding machine set- up and servicing, such as but not limited to electrode change out, electrode slag removal and mechanical sensor adjustment. During these activities, employees had potential exposure to stored energy associated with potential unexpected energization of the equipment.

Issued

Apr 1, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1): Space about electric equipment. Sufficient access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.  29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(ii): Working space required by this standard may not be used for storage. When normally enclosed live parts are exposed for inspection or servicing, the working space, if in a passageway or general open space, shall be suitably guarded.  a. On or about November 26, 2019, in the "nut alley" resistance welding area, there were approximately 12 electrical disconnect boxes and five subpanel boxes that did not have the Table S-1 three feet minimum depth of clear work space from the enclosure front of the boxes. Material, storage containers and equipment were stored in the working space of nut alley welding machine electrical equipment.