OSHA Inspection: CLARKE PRODUCTS INC.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Abate by

May 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $9,655 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(15): Walking-working surfaces not otherwise addressed. Except as provided elsewhere in this section or by other subparts of this part, the employer did not ensure each employee on a walking-working surface 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by one of the systems listed in 1910.28(b)(15)(i)-(iii).  On or about March 17, 2021 and at times prior thereto,  an employee accessed the top of the Manual Booth Number 1 without fall protection, exposing the employee to a fall hazard of approximately 13-feet.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Abate by

May 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $27,033 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.107(b)(9): A clear space of not less than 3 feet on all sides was not kept free from storage or combustible construction.  On or about November 6, 2020, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not maintain a minimum of 3-feet clearance around: a. Manual Booth Number 1; exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards and  b. Manual Booth Number 2, exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards.  Clarke Products Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.107(b)(9), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1309982, citation number 001, item number 005, issued on October 1, 2018, and was affirmed as final order on October 23, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2100 B. Orchard Lane, Waco, Texas 76705.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Abate by

May 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $23,172 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(1): Sufficient access and working space was not provided and maintained about all electric equipment (operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground) to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.  On or about November 6, 2020, and at times prior thereto, electrical equipment was blocked and used for storage in the following locations: a. In the Vacuum Forming Area, a transformer, electrical cabinet, and a knife switch were blocked by stacks of bathtubs, exposing employees to electric shock and fire hazards; and  On or about January 22, 2021, and at times prior thereto, electrical equipment was blocked and used for storage in the following location: b. In the Vacuum Forming Area, a 480V electrical panel was blocked by trash and boxes, exposing employees to electric shock and fire hazards.   Clarke Products Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1309982, citation number 001, item number 020, issued on October 1, 2018, and was affirmed as final order on October 23, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2100 B. Orchard Lane, Waco, Texas 76705.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $5,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.107(c)(6): Electrical wiring and equipment not subject to deposits of combustible residues but located in a spraying area as herein defined were not explosion-proof type approved for Class I, group D locations and did not otherwise conform to the provisions of subpart S of this part, for Class I, Division 1, Hazardous Locations.   On or about November 6, 2020, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure pedestal fans in the spraying areas were explosion-proof type approved for Class I, group D locations and did not conform to the provisions of subpart S for Class I, Division I, hazardous locations in the following locations:  a. Manual Booth Number 1; exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards and b. Manual Booth Number 2, exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards.  Clarke Products Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.107(c)(6), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1309982, citation number 001, item number 006, issued on October 1, 2018, and was affirmed as final order on October 23, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2100 B. Orchard Lane, Waco, Texas 76705.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Abate by

May 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $27,033 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(2): Electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling.  On or about November 6, 2020, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure that electrical equipment was used or installed in accordance with manufacturer instructions and the electrical equipment listing and labeling in the following locations:  a. In Manual Booth Number 1, a short three outlet "pigtail" extension cord powered by another extension cord, exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards;  b. In Manual Booth Number 1, a relocatable power tap was powered by another extension cord and not mounted, exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards; and c. The light switch (used as a power switch) of the Rockwell Model 14 vertical band saw near the mixing area, exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards.  Clarke Products Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1309982, citation number 001, item number 018, issued on October 1, 2018, and was affirmed as final order on October 23, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2100 B. Orchard Lane, Waco, Texas 76705.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Abate by

May 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $19,311 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A):Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.  On or about November 6, 2020, and at times prior thereto, flexible cords were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of the structure in the following locations: a. Flexible cord powering the light fixture above the Forrest horizontal band saw, exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards; b. Extension cords powering the hoists in the Solid Surface Department, exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards; c. On the top and side of Manual Booth Number 1, exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards; and  On or about January 22, 2021, and at times prior thereto, flexible cords were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of the structure in the following location: d. Extension cords run through the trusses above the Testing Department and powering an overhead light fixture exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards.   Clarke Products Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(iv)(A), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1309982, citation number 001, item number 022/a, issued on October 1, 2018, and was affirmed as final order on October 23, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2100 B. Orchard Lane, Waco, Texas 76705.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Abate by

May 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(B): Flexible cords and/or cables were run through holes in walls, ceilings, or floors.  On or about November 6, 2020, and at times prior thereto, flexible cords were run through holes in walls of Manual Booth Number 1 to power items such as, but not limited to, a relocatable power tap, pedestal fans, a guitar amplifier, and employees' cell phone chargers, exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards.  Clarke Products Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(iv)(B), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1309982, citation number 001, item number 022/b, issued on October 1, 2018, and was affirmed as final order on October 23, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2100 B. Orchard Lane, Waco, Texas 76705.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Abate by

May 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(2)(ii): Flexible cords were not used in continuous lengths without splice or tap.  Hard-service cord and junior hard-service cord No. 14 and larger may be repaired if spliced so that the splice retains the insulation, outer sheath properties, and usage characteristics of the cord being spliced.   On or about November 6, 2020, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure that flexible cords were used in continuous lengths without splice in the following location:   a. Flexible cord used to power the box fan near the Manual Booth Number 1, exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards; and  On or about November 13, 2020 and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure that flexible cords were used in continuous lengths without splice in the following location:  b. Flexible cord wired to the overhead light in the testing department exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards.   Clarke Products Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1309982, citation number 001, item number 022/c, issued on October 1, 2018, and was affirmed as final order on October 23, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2100 B. Orchard Lane, Waco, Texas 76705.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Abate by

May 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $135,167 · Current $60,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Point(s) of operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s).   On or about November 6, 2020, and at times prior thereto, employees operated a Forrest horizontal band saw located in front of the sliding doors of the Trim Robot 1 without guarding at the point of operation, exposing employees to amputation hazards.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Abate by

May 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $135,167 · Current $60,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.213(i)(1): Nonworking portion(s) of the blade of the bandsaw were not enclosed or guarded.  On or about November 6, 2020, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure the blade of the Rockwell Model 14 vertical band saw located near the mixing area was guarded, exposing employees to amputation hazards.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Abate by

May 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $27,033 · Current $15,000 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 crush by and struck-by hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.  On or about November 6, 2020, and at times prior thereto, employees used the Dayton 1/2 ton overhead hoist located on the Northern portion of the overhead rail in the Solid Surface Department to lift molds and bathtubs on a hook with a damaged safety latch, exposing employees to struck-by hazards.   Clarke Products Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1309982, citation number 001, item number 001, issued on October 1, 2018, and was affirmed final order on October 23, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2100 B. Orchard Lane, Waco, Texas 76705.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Abate by

May 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $27,033 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(l)(1)(ii): Prior to permitting an employee to operate a powered industrial truck (except for training purposes), the employer did not ensure that each operator had successfully completed the training required by paragraph (l).  On or about November 6, 2020, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure that employees were adequately trained to operate forklifts, exposing employees to struck-by hazards.  Clarke Products Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1309982, citation number 001, item number 012, issued on October 1, 2018, and was affirmed as final order on October 23, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2100 B. Orchard Lane, Waco, Texas 76705.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Abate by

May 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $9,655 · Current $15,000

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.   On or about December 14, 2020, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure that interlocks were operational on the doors of Trim Robot 2 in the Trim Department, exposing an employee to struck-by and amputation hazards.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Penalty

Initial $19,311 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.213(a)(9): All belts, pulleys, gears, shafts, and moving parts were not guarded in accordance with the specific requirements of 1910.219.  On or about November 6, 2020, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure the belt and pulley of the Rockwell Model 14 vertical band saw near the mixing area was guarded in accordance with the specific requirements of 1910.219, exposing employees to caught-in and amputation hazards.  Clarke Products Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.213(a)(9), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1309982, citation number 001, item number 014/a, issued on October 1, 2018, and was affirmed as final order on October 23, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2100 B. Orchard Lane, Waco, Texas 76705.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Penalty

Initial $27,033 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(d)(1): Pulley(s) with part(s) 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).  On or about November 6, 2020, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure the Forrest horizontal band saw motor driven pulleys were guarded, exposing employees to caught-in and amputation hazards.  Clarke Products Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1309982, citation number 001, item number 013/b, issued on October 1, 2018, and was affirmed as final order on October 23, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2100 B. Orchard Lane, Waco, Texas 76705.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(e)(3)(i): Vertical and inclined belts were not enclosed by a guard conforming to standards in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section.  On or about November 6, 2020, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure the vertical belt on the Forrest horizontal band saw was guarded, exposing employees to caught-in and amputation hazards.  Clarke Products Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1309982, citation number 001, item number 013/c, issued on October 1, 2018, and was affirmed as final order on October 23, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2100 B. Orchard Lane, Waco, Texas 76705.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,792 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(8)(i): Electrical equipment was not firmly secured to the surface on which it was mounted.  On or about November 6, 2020, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure an electrical junction box was firmly secured/mounted near the door on the outside wall of Manual Booth Number 1, exposing employees to caught-on and electric shock hazards.

Issued

May 4, 2021

Abate by

May 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $7,724 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed.   On or about November 6, 2020, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure that the breaker panel (identified by the employer as LT PANEL) in the Mold Department, had an unused opening in breaker panel was missing blank cover, exposing employee to shock and electrocution hazards.