OSHA Inspection: ENGINEERED TEXTILE PRODUCTS, INC.

Issued

Jun 28, 2021

Abate by

Jul 23, 2021

Penalty

Initial $8,192 · Current $4,915 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(1): The employer did not establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performs 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:  On or about February 22, 2021 the employer failed to establish an effective program for the control of hazardous energy in the facility. Energy sources used at the facility include, but are not limited to; electricity, pneumatic, hydraulic and thermal energy.

Issued

Jun 28, 2021

Abate by

Jul 23, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $3,277 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(e)(1):The employer shall be responsible for the inspection, maintenance and testing of all portable fire extinguishers in the workplace.  On or about February 22, 2021, the employer did not perform a monthly inspection or test of all portable fire extinguishers at the workplace. Fire extinguishers located on the production floor near the Nib Process had not received its monthly inspection. The last monthly inspection check recorded on the service tag was on January 8, 2021.

Issued

Jun 28, 2021

Abate by

Jul 2, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(g)(2):The educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage firefighting was not provided to all employees upon initial employment, and at least annually thereafter:  Note Applies where all employees are expected to fight fires.  On or about February 22, 2021, employees working in the production/bay area of the facility were not trained on fire extinguisher use for incipient  stage fires on an annual basis.  a) Note the employer may exercise the following option:  1. Provide portable fire extinguishers as specified in 29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1), meet the distribution requirements per 29 CFR 1910.157(d) (75 feet to the nearest extinguisher for Class A fires and 50 feet to the nearest unit for Class B fires), provide training and education for all employees in the use of such equipment and the hazards associated with incipient stage firefighting as specified in 29 CFR 1910.157(g). The other sections of 29 CFR also apply.  2. Provide extinguishers as specified in 29 CFR1910.157(c)(1), designate certain employees to be the only employees authorized to use such equipment and require all other employees to immediately evacuate upon the sound of the fire alarm, establish this in writing in an emergency action plan as outlined in 20CFR1920.38(a) and train/educate designated employees per 1910.157(g). Utilizing this option exempts the employer from distribution requirements of 20CFR 1910.157(d).  3. Establish written fire safety policy which requires the immediate and total evacuation of employees from the workplace upon the sounding of a fire alarm signal. This policy shall include and emergency action plan and a fire prevention plan specified in 29 CFR 1910.38(a) and 29 CFR 1910.39(a). Utilizing this option exempt the employer from the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.157 to include the need for providing portable fire equipment unless a specific standard requires that  portable fire extinguisher be provided (such as those requirement in 29 CFR 1910.106/107 related to the use/storage of flammable/combustible liquids). If extinguishers are provided, but not intended for employee use, 29 CFR 1910.157(e) and (f) are still applicable (inspection, maintenance, and testing of equipment).

Issued

Jun 28, 2021

Abate by

Jul 23, 2021

Penalty

Initial $4,096 · Current $2,458 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(a)(5): Employer requested that the PIV front-end attachments  be modified with other than factory installed attachments but failed to request that the truck be marked to identify the attachments and show the approximate weight of the truck and attachment combination at maximum elevation with load laterally centered:  On or about February 22, 2021, the powered industrial vehicle (Pole Hyster) used to raise, lower and stack rolls of carpet throughout the production area was found to have modifications to its carriage (forks replaced with lifting pole).  The employer was unable to provide proof of the manufacturer 's approval to add modifications/additions, which affect the capacity and safe operation of powered industrial vehicle and did not add/revise forklift data plate for its inclusion.

Issued

Jun 28, 2021

Abate by

Jul 23, 2021

Penalty

Initial $9,557 · Current $5,734 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(1):Types of guarding. 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 February 22, 2021, and at times prior to, employees tasked with feeding carpet into Nib rollers were not protected from hazards created by ingoing nip points, and rotating parts. Guarding to prevent inadvertent contact with the rotating cylinders/shafts was not installed on the machinery.

Issued

Jun 28, 2021

Abate by

Jul 23, 2021

Penalty

Initial $8,192 · Current $4,915 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(f)(3): Sprockets and chains which were seven (7) feet or less above floors or platform were not enclosed.   On or about February 22, 2021, employees were potentially to hazards created by ingoing nip points, in that the sprocket  and chain assembly for the Nib Process roller and process oven were not guarded by a full enclosure.

Issued

Jun 28, 2021

Abate by

Jul 23, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $3,277 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(7)(i): Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings shall be effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment.  On or about February 22, 2021, the employer failed to ensure that junction boxes located in the production area near the nib processor were effective closed. The 220-volt junction boxes were missing knockout cover and there was a potential for dust or debris to accumulate inside of the unit increasing the chance for an arc flash/arc blast. Employees who worked in the immediate area or who had access to electrical panels were not protected from electrical hazards if inadvertent contact with the internal wiring were to occur, or in the event of an arc flash/arc blast.

Issued

Jun 28, 2021

Abate by

Jul 23, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $3,277 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables shall be connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief is provided that will prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws.  On or about February 22. 2021, adequate strain relief was not provided for the rigid conduit that fed into the 220 volt electrical panel located on the production area adjacent to the convection oven and nib process. The conduit and/or connector used for routing the electrical wires into the panel box was not attached thus potentially exposing workers who frequent the area to electrical hazards should the wiring be damaged and/ripped out.

Issued

Jun 28, 2021

Abate by

Jul 23, 2021

Penalty

Initial $8,192 · Current $4,915 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1):Employers did not develop, implement, and maintain within the workplace, a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs 29 CFR 1910. 1200 (f), (g), and (h) of this section will be met:  On or about February 22, 2021, the employer did not develop, implement, or maintain a written hazard communication program at the facility. Chemicals used at the site include but are not limited ; compressed gases (Acetylene, Oxygen, Propane, etc.).

Issued

Jun 28, 2021

Abate by

Jul 23, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(1):Employees were not provided with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new chemical hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area.   On or about February 22, 2021 the employees were not trained on the hazardous chemicals utilized in the workplace. Chemicals used at the site include: but are not limited to, compressed gases (Acetylene, Oxygen, Propane, etc..

Issued

Jun 28, 2021

Abate by

Jul 23, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(3)(iv): The employer did not train employees regarding the new label elements and safety data sheet format.  On or about February 22, 2021, the employer failed to provide training or information to employees working with hazardous chemicals on the details of outline in the new hazard communication standard which encompasses the Global Harmonization System (GHS).