OSHA Inspection: POLAR CORP.

Issued

May 6, 2021

Abate by

Jun 23, 2021

Penalty

Initial $75,092 · Current $13,543 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 were engaged in activities covered by this section: 30 Sword St, Auburn, MA:  On January 26, 2021 and at times prior, employees who replaced plastic wrapping film using the film feed assembly on the Rainbow Line 1 machine were exposed to multiple machine hazards.   The safety devices that were incorporated to provide alternative protection in lieu of locking out of the machine were inoperative.   On December 22, 2021, an employee received fingertip de-glovement injuries when the assembly energized the shear blade during plastic film replacement activities.  Polar Corp. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1264081, citation number 1, item number 1a, and was affirmed as a final order on October 26, 2017, with respect to a workplace located at 40 Walcott St, Worcester, MA.

Issued

May 6, 2021

Abate by

Oct 1, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $26,457

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(6)(i):The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed: 30 Sword St, Auburn, MA:  On January 26, 2021 and for many months prior, the employer had not performed a comprehensive periodic inspection.  The employer only performed energy control procedural reviews.   The employer had not performed a periodic inspection that ensured each procedure was inspected for inaccuracies during an actual energy control task.  Additionally, the employer did not include a review, between the inspector and each authorized employee, of that employee's responsibilities under each energy control procedure they were authorized to use. Polar Corp. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1264081, citation number 1, item number 2b, and was affirmed as a final order on October 26, 2017, with respect to a workplace located at 40 Walcott St, Worcester, MA.

Issued

May 6, 2021

Abate by

Jun 16, 2021

Penalty

Initial $10,731 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(iv):The employer did not certify by employee's name and dates of training that employee training had been accomplished and kept up to date: 30 Sword St, Auburn, MA:  On January 26, 2021, the employer had no record that affected employees had been instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure and that all other employees whose work operations were, or may be, in an area where energy control procedures are utilized, had been instructed about the procedure, and about the prohibition relating to attempts to restart or reenergize machines or equipment which are locked out.  Polar Corp. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1264081, citation number 1, item number 2c, and was affirmed as a final order on October 26, 2017, with respect to a workplace located at 40 Walcott St, Worcester, MA.