OSHA Inspection: OHIO MULCH SUPPLY, INC.

Issued

Feb 10, 2020

Abate by

Mar 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $13,494 · Current $6,703 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(B): Each affected employee shall be instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure.   a. On and/or before December 18, 2019, in the production area, the employer did not ensure that each employee, who was involved in the operations, cleanup, and/or other activities around the Blueberry screener was instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure.  On or about December, 11, 2019, an employee's gloved hand became caught-in the idler roller area of the Blueberry screener resulting in fractures and a hospitalization while clearing a jam.

Issued

Feb 10, 2020

Abate by

Mar 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $13,494 · Current $6,703 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be 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. Examples of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc.            a. On and/or before December 11, 2019, in the production area, the northeast access/inspection opening on the Blueberry screener was not guarded, thereby exposing employees to caught-in hazards from moving parts.   b. On and/or before December 11, 2019, in the production area, the southeast access/inspection opening on the Blueberry screener was not guarded, thereby exposing employees to caught-in hazards from moving parts.           c. On and/or before December 11, 2019, in the production area, the southwest access/inspection opening on the Blueberry screener was not guarded, thereby exposing employees to caught-in hazards from moving parts.   d. On and/or before December 18, 2019, in the production area, the idler roller on the south side of the Blueberry screener was not guarded, thereby exposing employees to a caught-in hazard from rotating parts.  On or about December, 11, 2019, an employee's gloved hand became caught-in the idler roller area of the Blueberry screener resulting in fractures and a hospitalization.      e. On and/or before December 18, 2019, in the production area, the drive roller on the north side of the Blueberry screener was not guarded, thereby exposing employees to a caught-in hazard from rotating parts.   f. On and/or before December 18, 2019, in the production area, the four guide wheels that support the weight of the rotating trommel on the Blueberry screener were not guarded, thereby exposing employees to caught-in hazards from ingoing nip points and rotating parts.

Issued

Feb 10, 2020

Abate by

Mar 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $7,711 · Current $5,270 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(i): Projecting shaft ends shall present a smooth edge and end and shall not project more than one-half the diameter of the shaft unless guarded by nonrotating caps or safety sleeves.   a. On and/or before December 18, 2019, in the production area, the projecting shaft end which projected more than one-half the diameter of the shaft on the southwest side of the idler roller on the Blueberry screener was not guarded, thereby exposing employees to a struck-by and/or caught-in hazard.      b. On and/or before December 18, 2019, in the production area, the projecting shaft end which projected more than one-half the diameter of the shaft on the southeast side of the idler roller on the Blueberry screener was not guarded, thereby exposing employees to a struck-by and/or caught-in hazard.   c. On and/or before December 18, 2019, in the production area, the projecting shaft end which projected more than one-half the diameter of the shaft on the northeast side of the drive roller on the Blueberry screener was not guarded, thereby exposing employees to a struck-by and/or caught-in hazard.

Issued

Feb 10, 2020

Abate by

Mar 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $9,639 · Current $6,581 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(1): Gears. Gears shall be guarded in accordance with one of the following methods:  1910.219(f)(1)(i) By a complete enclosure; or 1910.219(f)(1)(ii) By a standard guard as described in paragraph (o) of this section, at least seven (7) feet high extending six (6) inches above the mesh point of the gears; or 1910.219(f)(1)(iii) By a band guard covering the face of gear and having flanges extended inward beyond the root of the teeth on the exposed side or sides.   a. On and/or before December 18, 2019, in the production area, the gear that drives the trommel on the south side of the Blueberry screener was not guarded, thereby exposing employees to a caught-in hazard.

Issued

Feb 10, 2020

Abate by

Mar 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $9,639 · Current $6,581 Reduced

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:  1910.303(b)(1)(i) Suitability for installation and use in conformity with the provisions of this subpart; 1910.303(b)(1)(ii) Mechanical strength and durability, including, for parts designed to enclose and protect other equipment, the adequacy of the protection thus provided; 1910.303(b)(1)(iii) Wire-bending and connection space; 1910.303(b)(1)(iv) Electrical insulation; 1910.303(b)(1)(v) Heating effects under all conditions of use; 1910.303(b)(1)(vi) Arcing effects; 1910.303(b)(1)(vii) Classification by type, size, voltage, current capacity, and specific use; and 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 and/or before December 18, 2019, in the production area, the conduit under the electrical box on the south side of the Blueberry screener was damaged exposing the individual wires.   b. On and/or before December 18, 2019, in the production area, the electrical box on the south side of the Blueberry screener was attached to the structure with a strap/belt and not secured properly.

Issued

Feb 10, 2020

Abate by

Mar 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $9,639 · Current $6,581 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i): Except as elsewhere required or permitted by this standard, live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more shall be guarded against accidental contact by use of approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures or by any of the following means:   a. On and/or before December 18, 2019, in the production area, energized electrical conductors hanging out of the electrical box on the south side of the Blueberry screener were not protected against accidental contact.

Issued

Feb 10, 2020

Abate by

Mar 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $9,639 · Current $6,581 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv): Unless specifically permitted otherwise in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section, flexible cords and cables may not be used:   29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.   a. On and/or before December 18, 2019, in the production area, the flexible cords used to energize the emergency stop buttons on the Blueberry screener were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of the structure.

Issued

Feb 10, 2020

Abate by

Mar 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

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 and/or before December 18, 2019, in the production area, strain relief was not provided causing the outer sheath to pull away on the flexible cord at the plug end which was used to energize the emergency stop buttons on the east side of the Blueberry screener.