OSHA Inspection: INTERCON CHEMICAL CO., INC.

Issued

Jan 19, 2021

Abate by

Jun 1, 2021

Penalty

Initial $9,446 · Current $4,723 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(i):  Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees are engaged in the activities covered by this section. Note: Exception: The employer need not document the required procedure for a particular machine or equipment, when all of the following elements exist: (1) The machine or equipment has no potential for stored or residual energy or reaccumulation of stored energy after shut down which could endanger employees; (2) the machine or equipment has a single energy source which can be readily identified and isolated; (3) the isolation and locking out of that energy source will completely deenergize and deactivate the machine or equipment; (4) the machine or equipment is isolated from that energy source and locked out during servicing or maintenance; (5) a single lockout device will achieve a locker-out condition; (6) the lockout device is under the exclusive control of the authorized employee performing the servicing or maintenance; (7) the servicing or maintenance does not create hazards for other employees; and (8) the employer, in utilizing this exception, has had no accidents involving the unexpected activation or reenergization of the machine or equipment during servicing or maintenance.  On or about 12/16/2020, INTERCON Chemical Co., Inc. had not developed, documented and utilized energy control procedures to control potentially hazardous energy for equipment used and maintained throughout the warehouse/plant.

Issued

Jan 19, 2021

Abate by

Jun 1, 2021

Penalty

Initial $6,747 · Current $3,374 Reduced

General-duty citation text

The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements of this standard were being followed.  On or about 12/16/2020, INTERCON Chemical Co., Inc. had not conducted periodic inspections of the energy control procedures at least annually to ensure the requirements of this standard, to include subparagraphs (A)-(D), were being followed.

Issued

Jan 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $6,882 · Current $3,441 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Secure storage. Storage of material did create a hazard. Bags, containers, bundles, etc., were not stored in tiers or stacked, blocked, interlocked and limited in height so that they were stable and secure against sliding or collapse.  On or about 12/16/2020, INTERCON Chemical Co., Inc. had not ensured stored pallets/materials were stacked and secured to prevent sliding or collapse in the warehouse.

Issued

Jan 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,735 · Current $2,868 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(1):Examination. Electric equipment was not free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.   On or about 12/16/2020, INTERCON Chemical Co., Inc. had not ensured electrical equipment was free from electrical hazards.  The following equipment was damaged: a)	Outside the storage room in the warehouse, an electrical switch was missing a cover and an electrical outlet had a damaged/broken cover.    b)	A 220 VAC outlet was wired directly in to a junction box on the south wall of the storage room. The receptacle was attached to 2-gang metal box.   The conductors/wires on the other end were passing through the junction box.  The wires were missing insulation and not properly attached to the box.   c)	Outside of the warehouse restroom, an electrical switch was hanging from conduit.  The 1-gang box was not attached to the wall and the outlet cover was damaged/broken.

Issued

Jan 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,735 · Current $2,868 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(2):Installation and use. Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:  On or about 12/16/2020, INTERCON Chemical Co., Inc. had not ensured listed or labeled equipment was used in accordance the listing or labeling.  The following equipment was not used in accordance with the listing or labeling: a)	The deionizing water station had a pendent hanging with 1-gang metal box.  b)	A 220 VAC outlet was wired directly in to a junction box on the south wall of the storage room. The receptacle was attached to 2-gang metal box.  c)	In the warehouse area, a relocatable power tap was used to facilitate charging a Raymond 24 VDC pallet jack.

Issued

Jan 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,735 · Current $2,868 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.304(g)(5):  Grounding path. The path to ground from circuits, equipment, and enclosures was not permanent, continuous, and effective.   On or about 12/16/2020, INTERCON Chemical Co., Inc. had not ensured all equipment had an effective ground.  In the bleach pale filling area, an employee was using an extension cord which was missing the ground pin.

Issued

Jan 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.334(a)(2)(i):  Portable cord and plug connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) were not visually inspected before use on any shift for external defects (such as loose parts, deformed and missing pins, or damage to outer jacket or insulation) and for evidence of possible internal damage (such as pinched or crushed outer jacket).   On or about 12/16/2020, INTERCON Chemical Co., Inc. had not ensured all plug connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) were visually inspected before use for external defects.  The following damaged extension cords/equipment were in use: a)	In the bleach pale filling area, an employee was using an extension cord, which was missing the ground pin. The extension cord was plugged into another extension cord, which was pinched between two metal enclosures.   b)	A DeWALT hammer drill, model D25213, had a damaged/repaired power cord.  The drill was being used outside of the storage room in the warehouse.