OSHA Inspection: AMERIDGE POLYMER, INC

Issued

Jul 30, 2021

Abate by

Aug 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $3,901 · Current $3,901

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.30(a)(1): The employer did not provide training for each employee who uses personal fall protection systems or who is required to be trained as specified elsewhere in this subpart before any employee is exposed to a fall hazard. The employer did not that ensure employees are trained in the requirements of this paragraph:  a) Baler Area: On or about 02/04/2021, an employee(s) tasked with completing service and maintenance activities on (Lummus Double Box) baler unit was potentially exposed to a fall hazard. Although the employee used a lanyard when accessing the catwalk on the third level of the baler, the employer failed to provide training in the use of lanyard with harness or conventional fall protection.  The third level baler measured approximately 20 feet from top of the catwalk to ground level.

Issued

Jul 30, 2021

Abate by

Aug 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $5,461

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.101(b): The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, rail tankcars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks were not in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in CFR 1910.6:  a) Maintenance Shop Area, Acetylene Storage Area - On or about 02/04/2021, employees are potentially exposed to struck-by and/or fire hazards, in that the employer failed to ensure that compressed gas cylinders containing argon, oxygen, propane, and acetylene were properly stored. Employees who worked in the proximity to unchained cylinders were not protected should a cylinder rupture or fall and become a projectile.  b) Back of the Facility- Propane Storage Tanks Area-  On or about 02/04/2021, employees are potentially exposed to struck-by and/or fire hazards, in that the employer failed to ensure that a compressed gas cylinder containing propane was properly stored. This tank was outdoors, unchained, near two large horizontal propane storage tanks.

Issued

Jul 30, 2021

Abate by

Sep 16, 2021

Penalty

Initial $3,121 · Current $3,121

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(1): The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative:   a) Entire Facility: On or about 02/04/2021, the employer failed to developed, and implemented a program for the control of hazardous energy use at the facility. Employees who service and/or maintain equipment such as, but not limited to, the Lummus Double Box Baler (model # unknown, S/N 17-545-5101), the Densifier #1 (model # unknown, S/N #1 JB/T 10391-2002) and the Gardner Denver Compressor (Model GD-D50) were not protected from unintentional start-up/re-energization of the energy sources. Energy sources used at the facility include, but are not limited to, electricity, pneumatic and hydraulics.

Issued

Jul 30, 2021

Abate by

Aug 11, 2021

Penalty

Initial $3,901 · Current $3,901

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D): Each authorized employee did not affix a personal lockout or tagout device to the group lockout device before working on the machine or equipment:  a). Baler Area: On or about 02/04/2021, employees were not protected from potential struck-by and/or caught in hazards, in that the employer did not ensure that each member of a three (3) man crew, applied their own lockout device(s) while working on equipment such as, but not limited to, the Lummus Double Box Baler (model # unknown, S/N 17-545-5101).

Issued

Jul 30, 2021

Abate by

Aug 11, 2021

Penalty

Initial $3,121 · Current $3,121

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.253(b)(4)(iii):Oxygen cylinders in storage were not separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet:  a) Maintenance Shop Area, Acetylene Storage Area - On or about 02/04/2021, the employer failed to ensure that cylinders containing compressed gases such as; but not limited to, oxygen, acetylene, propane were properly stored. Employees who worked in the proximity to unchained compressed gases were exposed fire and/or other hazards should a cylinders rupture/fall or inadvertently be exposed to a heat source.

Issued

Jul 30, 2021

Abate by

Aug 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $2,340 · Current $2,340

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(e)(1)(ii):Other markings giving voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings as necessary.  On or about 02/04/2021, labeling to identify the voltage, current, wattage, and other required ratings was not marked on electrical equipment located throughout the facility. The electrical equipment includes, but is not limited to:  a) Employees were exposed to potential electrical hazards, in that the electrical panel (Labeled #DB1, DBC) located in the baler area near the air receiver/ expansion tank was not marked and/or labeled with the voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings as required.  b) Employees were exposed to potential electrical hazards, in that the electrical panel (Unlabeled) located in the baler area near the baler controller was not marked and/or labeled with the voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings as required.  c) Employees were exposed to potential electrical hazards, in that the electrical panel (V1) and (shut-off labeled WEF) located on side wall in the baler area was not marked and/or labeled with the voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings as required.  d) Employees were exposed to potential electrical hazards, in that the electrical panel (Labeled #LP 1)  and (shut-off labeled 20) located outside of the new compressor room in the densifier area was not marked and/or labeled with the voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings as required.

Issued

Jul 30, 2021

Abate by

Sep 16, 2021

Penalty

Initial $3,121 · Current $3,121

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(2)(i)(A): Except as elsewhere required or permitted by Subpart S of Part 1910, live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more were not guarded against accidental contact by use of approved cabinets or by location in a room, vault, or similar enclosure that is accessible only to qualified persons:  a) Employees were exposed to potential electrical hazards, in that the electrical panel (Labeled #DB1, DBC) located in the baler area near the air receiver/ expansion tank (480 V) 3-phase was not locked.  b) Employees were exposed to potential electrical hazards, in that the electrical panel (Unlabeled) located in the baler area near the baler controller (480 V) 3-phase was not locked.  The panel door was kept closed with a piece of electrical wire.  c) Employees were exposed to potential electrical hazards, in that the electrical panel (Labeled #V1) located on side wall in the baler area was not fully closed and locked.  d) Employees were exposed to potential electrical hazards, in that the electrical controller box door to the baler door could not close due to an abundance of wires.  e) Employees were exposed to potential electrical hazards, in that the electrical box with the door off (Labeled #LP 2)  was located in the new compressor room which had an unlocked and open door.

Issued

Jul 30, 2021

Abate by

Aug 11, 2021

Penalty

Initial $2,340 · Current $2,340

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.304(f)(1)(iv):Overcurrent devices for circuits rated 600 volts, nominal, or less, were not readily accessible to each employee or authorized building management personnel:   a) Side Wall in the Baler Area- On or about 02/04/2021, employees were exposed to potential shock and/or fire hazards, in that demolition debris was blocking an electrical panel (480 volts) and an electrical On/Off switch on the side wall in the baler area. This blocked access to the electrical shut-offs used to power fans (ceiling and exhaust).  b) Area Outside of New Compressor Room- On or about 02/04/2021, employees were exposed to potential shock and/or fire hazards, in that a rail, storage items and miscellaneous parts of other equipment were placed approximately ten (10) - thirteen (13) inches or less in front of an electrical panel (LP 1) and an electrical On/Off switch (20) (120 volts)  with a rail, storage items and miscellaneous parts of other equipment. The electrical equipment  power lights and wall sockets.

Issued

Jul 30, 2021

Abate by

Sep 16, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $5,461

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1):The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:  (a) Facility-wide: On or about 02/04/2021, the employer did not develop, implement or maintain a written hazard communication program which described how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training would be met.   Chemicals used at the site includes, but is not limited to, polypropylene, acetylene, oxygen, and propane used for fork trucks and heating purposes.

Issued

Jul 30, 2021

Abate by

Sep 16, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(2):The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed, the date(s) of the hazard assessment, and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment:  a) Entire Facility: On or about 02/04/2021, the employer exposed employees to fire, struck-by, thermal, and chemical hazards associated with the manufacturing operations dealing plastic recycling in that the employer did not certify that a workplace hazard assessment had been completed. 29 CFR  1910.132(d)(2):The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed, the date(s) of the hazard assessment, and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment:  a) Entire Facility: On or about 02/04/2021, the employer exposed employees to fire, struck-by, thermal, and chemical hazards associated with the manufacturing operations dealing plastic recycling in that the employer did not certify that a workplace hazard assessment had been completed.

Issued

Jul 30, 2021

Abate by

Aug 11, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(c)(1): Portable fire extinguishers were not mounted, located and identified so that they were readily accessible without subjecting the employees to injuries:   a) Baler Area: On or about  02/04/2021 the employer exposed employees to fire hazards in that a (ABC) portable fire extinguisher was placed on floor and not mounted as required.  b) Maintenance Shop - near Entrance: On or about  02/04/2021 the employer exposed employees to fire hazards in that a (ABC) portable fire extinguisher was placed on floor and not mounted as required.

Issued

Jul 30, 2021

Abate by

Aug 25, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  a) Baler Area: On or about  02/04/2021 the employer exposed employees to electrical shock hazards in that an extension cord was used with a Receiver/ Expansion Tank(model # unknown) and solenoid as a permanent source for wiring.  b) Baler Area: