OSHA Inspection: VALMONT UTILITY

Issued

Mar 4, 2021

Abate by

Mar 30, 2021

Penalty

Initial $8,582 · Current $4,720 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(l)(4)(ii)(B):  Refresher training in relevant topics was not provided to the operator when the operator was involved in an accident or near-miss incident:  Employee(s) engaged in material handling activities at facility were exposed to struck-by hazards in that refresher training in relevant topics was not provided to forklift operator(s) when the operator(s) were involved in accident or near-miss incidents.

Issued

Mar 4, 2021

Penalty

Initial $8,582 · Current $6,007 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.184(e)(1):  Alloy steel sling(s) did not have permanently affixed durable identification stating size, grade, rated capacity, and reach:  At the Large Pole Area, employee(s) engaged in manufacturing activities were exposed to amputation and struck-by hazards in that the employer permitted the use of an alloy steel chain sling without a permanently affixed durable identification stating size, grade, rated capacity, and reach.

Issued

Mar 4, 2021

Penalty

Initial $8,582 · Current $6,007 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.253(b)(4)(i):  Oxygen cylinders were stored near highly combustible material, especially oil and grease; or near reserve stocks of carbide and acetylene or other fuel-gas cylinders, or near other substance likely to cause or accelerate fire;  Employees engaged in manufacturing activities were exposed to fire and explosion hazards from an improperly stored cylinder of oxygen. The oxygen cylinder was not in use and was stored next to a cylinder of acetylene in the following instances:   1) At the Cutline Acetylene tank stored approximately 22 inches from Oxygen tank   2) At the Large Pole Area Oxygen and Acetylene tank stored next to each other

Issued

Mar 4, 2021

Penalty

Initial $6,436 · Current $4,505 Reduced

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):  At the Large Pole Area, employees engaged in welding activities were exposed to electrical hazards in that the extension cord used to power the  Dewalt Grinder had exposed wires.

Issued

Mar 4, 2021

Penalty

Initial $17,164 · Current $9,440 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):  At the Large Pole Area,  employees engaged in manufacturing activities at the HEMSAW, were exposed to amputation hazards in that the point of operation was not properly guarded.  Valmont Utility was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.212(a)(3)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1373736, citation number 1, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on March 18, 2019, with respect to a workplace located at 11308 Highway 36 P.O. Box 640, Bellville, Texas 77418.

Issued

Mar 4, 2021

Penalty

Initial $17,164 · Current $9,440 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(b)(2)(iii):  Workers and other persons adjacent to the welding area were not required to wear appropriate goggles, to protect them from the rays when noncombustible or flameproof screens or shields were not used:  At the Large Pole Area, employee(s) engaged in manufacturing activities were exposed to radiant energy or light radiation in that welding screens were not provided to adjacent employee(s).  Valmont Utility was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.252(b)(2)(iii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1373736, citation number 1, item number 4 and was affirmed as a final order on March 18, 2019, with respect to a workplace located at 11308 Highway 36 P.O. Box 640, Bellville, Texas 77418.