OSHA Inspection: CONTINENTAL TIRE THE AMERICAS, LLC

Issued

Nov 27, 2023

Abate by

Jan 2, 2024

Penalty

Initial $1,253 · Current $1,253

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1903.19(d)(1):The employer must submit to the Agency, along with the information on abatement certification required by paragraph (c)(3) of this section, documents demonstrating that abatement is complete for each willful or repeat violation and for any serious violation for which the Agency indicates in the citation that such abatement documentation is required.  a)  For Citation 1, Item 2a issued on 5/12/2022 with an abatement date of 5/22/2023, the employer did not submit documents demonstrating complete abatement of the cited violation to OSHA. b)  For Citation 1, Item 2b issued on 5/12/2022 with an abatement date of 5/22/2023, the employer did not submit documents demonstrating complete abatement of the cited violation to OSHA. c)  For Citation 1, Item 3a issued on 5/12/2022 with an abatement date of 5/22/2023, the employer did not submit documents demonstrating complete abatement of the cited violation to OSHA. d)  For Citation 1, Item 3b issued on 5/12/2022 with an abatement date of 5/22/2023, the employer did not submit documents demonstrating complete abatement of the cited violation to OSHA. e)  For Citation 1, Item 3c issued on 5/12/2022 with an abatement date of 5/22/2023, the employer did not submit documents demonstrating complete abatement of the cited violation to OSHA.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 23, 2026

Penalty

Initial $10,360 · Current $6,941 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0527

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):  The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees, in that employees were exposed to explosion, deflagration and/or fire hazards:  (a) Employees working in the employer's Mixing Department are exposed to the recognized hazards of explosion, deflagration, and/or fire associated with the dust collection systems used to collect tire compound dusts.  Dust collection systems do not have adequate means of explosion, fire, and deflagration propagation protection. This was most recently documented on all indoor and outdoor dust collectors associated with the Mixing Department.  Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of abatement, are:  1. Provide outdoor dust collectors with deflagration venting to a safe outdoor location in accordance with NFPA 68 "Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting". 2. Provide indoor dust collectors with deflagration venting through listed flame-arresting and dust retention devices in accordance with NFPA 68. 3. Provide all dust collectors with passive deflagration propagation isolation non-return valve(s) devices in accordance with NFPA 69 "Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems" and 4. Develop and implement procedure(s) for verifying aspiration systems are functioning as designed to evacuate flammable vapors.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

May 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,360 · Current $10,360

Hazardous substances 0527

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.22(a)(1):  The employer must ensure that all places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces are kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition:  Mixing Department,  (Floor 1 and Mezzanine):  On or about February 8, 23, 24, March 29, and April 5, 2022 and times prior, all places of employment were not kept in a clean, orderly and sanitary condition, in that, dust, water, debris and/or other materials were in the working areas near Lines 1, 3, 5, and 6.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

May 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $8,287 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2):  The employer must ensure that the floor of each workroom is maintained in a clean and, to the extent feasible, in a dry condition:  Mixing Department, Floor 3 of older portion of the building:  On or about February 8, 2022, February  23, 2022, February 24, 2022, March 29, 2022, April 5, 2022 and times between, the pedestrian and forklift transit floor areas contained standing water from roof leaks in areas such as, but not limited to, the equipment associated with Lines 1, 3, and 5.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,360 · Current $6,941 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.22(a)(3):  The employer must ensure that walking-working surfaces are maintained free of hazards such as sharp or protruding objects, loose boards, corrosion, leaks, spills, snow, and ice:   Mixing Department, Line 6 mezzanine (Between Floors 1 and 2):  On or about February 24, 2022 and times prior, the mezzanine level platform between Floors 1 and 2 contained protruding objects in the form of two steel vertical plates mounted near the stairway leading to Floor 1.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(d)(2): The employer must ensure that hazardous conditions on walking-working surfaces are corrected or repaired before an employee uses the walking-working surface again.  If the correction or repair cannot be made immediately, the hazard must guarded to prevent employees from using the walking-working surface until the hazard is corrected or repaired:   Mixing Department, Line 6 mezzanine stair system (Between Floors 1 and 2):  On or about February 24, 2022 and times prior, the stairway leading to the mezzanine level between Floors 1 and 2 contained an overhead HVAC duct support hanger approximately 6 feet 0 inches from bottom of the first landing which presented a contact hazard to the heads of employees using the stairway.  The hazardous condition had not been corrected or repaired, nor the hazard been guarded to prevent employees from using the stairway until corrections or repairs could be made.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,215 · Current $4,164 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.25(b)(3):  The employer must ensure that stairs have uniform riser heights and tread depths between landings:  Mixing Department, between Lines 16 and 15 (Floor 2):  On or about February 22, 2022 and times prior, the first stair step on the stairway providing access between Floor 2 and Floor 3  did not have uniform riser height and tread depth due to damage.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,360 · Current $6,941 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.28(b)(1)(i):  Except as provided elsewhere in 29 CFR 1910.28, the employer must ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by one or more of the systems described in 29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i)(A)-(C):  (a) Mixing Department, Upper roof:  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, an employee performing weekly, routine monitoring of the roof mounted Lines 13, and 1 -6 dust collectors was exposed to a fall hazard greater than 4 feet while using a fixed industrial stair system at the Northwest corner of the roof associated with the carbon black tower.  The fixed industrial stair systems placement exposed employees to an unguarded roof edge near the stair system along the North edge of the roof.  (b) Mixing Department, Joint Venture roof:  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, an employee performing weekly, routine monitoring of the roof mounted Lines 7 - 12 dust collectors was exposed to a fall hazard greater than 4 feet while using a door to a stairwell access between the building and the roof.  The placement of the access door exposed employees to an unguarded roof edge near the stair system along the West edge of the roof.  (c)  Mixing Department, Line 6 (Floor 1):  On or about February 24, 2022, an employee performing servicing and maintenance on the Line 6 Festoon was exposed to a fall hazard greater than 4 feet while working at the end of an open sided elevated work platform at the West end of the machine without a fall protection system in place.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.28(b)(11)(ii):  The employer must ensure that each flight of stairs having at least 3 treads and at least 4 risers is equipped with stair rail systems and handrails as described in 29 CFR 1910.28 Table D-2-Stairway Handrail Requirements:   Mixing Department, Line 6 mezzanine (Between Floors 1 and 2):  On or about February 24, 2022 and times prior, the stairway between Floor 2 and the mezzanine level of Line 6 did not contain a stair rail on the East side.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $9,716 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.36(g)(1):  The ceiling of an exit route must be at least seven feet six inches (2.3 m) high.  Any projection from the ceiling must not reach a point less than six feet eight inches (2.0 m) from the floor:  (a) Mixing Department (Floor 3):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, the exit route leading to the exit door and enclosed stairway between Lines 22 and 21 (North side of stairwell) did not maintain a vertical clearance of at least 6 feet 8 inches as horizontal screw conveyors installed across the path to the exit door were approximately 5 feet 8 inches from the floor.  In addition, diagonal structural supports for equipment in the same area descended into the path to the exit door below 6 feet 8 inches (to the floor).  (b)  Mixing Department (Floor 3):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, the exit route leading to the exit door and enclosed stairway between Lines 20 and 19 did not maintain a vertical clearance of at least 6 feet 8 inches as the fixed industrial stairs providing access to the mezzanine level above measured as low as approximately 6 feet 1 inch when passing beneath.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.36(g)(2):  An exit access must be at least 28 inches (71.1 cm) wide at all points:   (a) Mixing Department (Floor 3):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, the exit route leading to the exit door and enclosed stairway between Lines 22 and 21 (South side of stairwell) did not maintain a width of at least 28 inches as the route along the stairwell wall was measured to be approximately 18 inches wide where the dust collector access ladder was installed and approximately 19 and 1/2 inches where multiple vertical pipes were installed.  (b) Mixing Department (Floor 3):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, the exit route leading to the exit door and enclosed stairway between Lines 22 and 21 (North side of stairwell) did not maintain a width of at least 28 inches as the potential route along the stairwell wall (the only portion of the access without horizontal or diagonal obstructions ) was measured to be approximately 13 and 1/2 inches wide.  (c) Mixing Department (Floor 3):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, the exit route leading to the exit door and enclosed stairway between Lines 22 and 21 (North side of stairwell) did not maintain a width of at least 28 inches as the entire East side of the access area was blocked with multiple totes of ingredients and waste.  (d) Mixing Department (Floor 3):  On or about February 23, 2022, the exit route leading to the exit door and enclosed stairway between Lines 20 and 19 did not maintain a width of at least 28 inches as an ingredient tote was being stored to the North of the fixed industrial stairs providing access to the mezzanine level above.  The width of the access was measured to be approximately 24 inches due to the obstruction.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(a)(3):  Exit routes must be free and unobstructed.  No materials or equipment may be placed, either permanently or temporarily, within the exit route:  (a) Mixing Department (Floor 3):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, the exit route leading to the exit door and enclosed stairway between Lines 22 and 21 (South side of stairwell) was not free and unobstructed due to the presence of a fixed dust collector access ladder and multiple vertical pipes.  (b) Mixing Department (Floor 3):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, the exit route leading to the exit door and enclosed stairway between Lines 22 and 21 (North side of stairwell) was not free and unobstructed due to the presence of the support structure for multiple ingredient vessels, the horizontal screw conveyors associated with the ingredient vessels, and multiple totes of ingredients and waste.  (c) Mixing Department (Floor 3):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, the exit route leading to the exit door and enclosed stairway between Lines 20 and 19 was not free and unobstructed due to the presence of fixed industrial stairs providing access to the mezzanine level above and an ingredient tote.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $9,716 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(b)(2):  Each exit must be clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":  (a) Mixing Department (Floor 3):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, the exit door sign for the exit door and enclosed stairway between Lines 16 and 15 on the West side of the building was not clearly visible as the sign was not backlit as designed and the presence of a dust layer on the unlit sign.  (b) Mixing Department (Floor 3):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, the exit door to the enclosed stairway between Lines 20 and 19 did not contain a sign reading "Exit" and was not clearly visible from the main aisle of Floor 3 to the East due to the presence of fixed equipment.  (c) Mixing Department (Floor 3):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, the exit door to the enclosed stairway between Lines 22 and 21 (North side of stairwell) was not clearly visible from the main aisle of Floor 3 due to the presence of fixed equipment and totes.  (d) Mixing Department (Floor 3):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, the exit door to the enclosed stairway between Lines 22 and 21 (South side of stairwell) was not clearly visible from the main aisle of Floor 3 due to the presence of fixed equipment.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(b)(4):  If the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge is not immediately apparent, signs must be posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge.  Additionally, the line-of-sight to an exit sign must be clearly visible at all times:  (a) Mixing Department (Floor 3):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, where the direction of travel to the exit door and enclosed stairway between Lines 16 and 15 on the West side of the building was not immediately apparent from the main aisle of Floor 3 to the East, signs were not posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to this exit.  (b) Mixing Department (Floor 3):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, where the direction of travel to the exit door and enclosed stairway between Lines 20 and 19  was not immediately apparent from the main aisle of Floor 3, signs were not posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to this exit.    (c) Mixing Department (Floor 3):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, the line-of-sight to the exit sign on the exit door between Lines 22 and 21 (North side of stairwell) was not clearly visible from the main aisle of Floor 3 due to the presence of fixed equipment and totes.    (d) Mixing Department (Floor 3):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, the line-of-sight to the exit sign on the exit door between Lines 22 and 21 (South side of stairwell) was not clearly visible from the main aisle of Floor 3 due to the presence of fixed equipment.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,360 · Current $6,941 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding shall be 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:  Mixing Department, Line 16 (Floor 2):  On or about February 22, 2022 and times prior, the hydraulic ram of the Kobelco Stewart Bolling, Inc. mixer for Line 16 was missing sections of machine guarding on the South and Southeast sides of the unit exposing mixer operators to hazards created by the  moving ram components and stationary machine frame.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $9,716 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2):  Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling:  (a) Mixing Department, Line 13 (Floor 2):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, an electrical box located at mixer's throat inlet (just to the South of the charging conveyor) and previously used for an internal telephone communication system housed live parts greater than 50 volts and was in place without the manufacturer's approved cover.    (b) Mixing Department, Line 6 (Floor 2):  On or about February 24, 2022 and times prior, an electrical control panel and an associated transformer box located near the mixer's weighing belt area (to the Northwest of the mixer) used to power the pneumatic lifting assist devices on the mixer's weight belt housed live parts greater than 50 volts.  The electrical control panel was in use with a damaged and partially attached cover resulting in openings.  The transformer box was in use with a damaged box containing openings.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(2)(i):  Except as elsewhere required or permitted by Subpart S of Part 1910, live parts of electric equipment operating  at 50 volts or more shall be guarded against accidental contact by use of approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures or by any of the means identified in paragraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i):   (a) Mixing Department, Line 13 (Floor 2):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, an electrical box located at mixer's throat inlet (just to the South of the charging conveyor) and previously used for an internal telephone communication system housed live parts greater than 50 volts and was in place without the manufacturer's approved cover.    (b) Mixing Department, Line 6 (Floor 2):  On or about February 24, 2022 and times prior, an electrical control panel and an associated transformer box located near the mixer's weighing belt area (to the Northwest of the mixer) used to power the pneumatic lifting assist devices on the mixer's weight belt housed live parts greater than 50 volts.  The electrical control panel was in use with a damaged and partially attached cover resulting in openings.  The transformer box was in use with a damaged box containing openings.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(2)(ii):  In locations where electric equipment is likely to be exposed to physical damage, enclosures or guards shall be so arranged and of such strength as to prevent such damage:   Mixing Department, Line 6 (Floor 2):  On or about February 24, 2022 and times prior, an electrical control panel and an associated transformer box located near the mixer's weighing belt area (to the Northwest of the mixer) used to power the pneumatic lifting assist devices on the mixer's weight belt housed live parts greater than 50 volts.  The electrical control panel was in use with a damaged and partially attached cover resulting in openings.  The transformer box was in use with a damaged box containing openings.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(b)(2)(i):  All pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings shall be  provided with covers identified for the purpose:  (a) Mixing Department, Line 13 (Floor 2):  On or about February 23, 2022 and times prior, an electrical box located at mixer's throat inlet (just to the South of the charging conveyor) and previously used for an internal telephone communication system housed live parts greater than 50 volts and was in place without the manufacturer's approved cover.    (b) Mixing Department, Line 6 (Floor 2):  On or about February 24, 2022 and times prior, an electrical control panel and an associated transformer box located near the mixer's weighing belt area (to the Northwest of the mixer) used to power the pneumatic lifting assist devices on the mixer's weight belt housed live parts greater than 50 volts.  The electrical control panel was in use with a damaged and partially attached cover resulting in openings.  The transformer box was in use with a damaged box containing openings.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

May 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $9,716 Reduced

Hazardous substances 05271060

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(2)(ii):  Employees shall be informed of any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present:   (a) Mixing Department:  On or about November 14, 2021 and times prior, employees working with mixing processes involving combustible dusts, including carbon black and sulfur, were not provided information that hazardous combustible dusts were present in their work area operations.  (b) Mixing Department:  On or about November 14, 2021 and times prior, employees working with tandem mixing processes capable of producing flammable ethanol gas were not provided information that hazardous ethanol vapors were present in their work area operations.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

May 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 05271060

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(3)(ii):  Employee training shall include at least the physical, health, simple asphyxiation, combustible dust, and pyrophoric gas hazards, as well as hazards not otherwise classified, of the chemicals in the work area:  (a) Mixing Department:  On or about November 14, 2021 and times prior, employees working with mixing processes involving combustible dust, including carbon black and sulfur, were not provided training on combustible dust hazards in the workplace.  (b) Mixing Department:  On or about November 14, 2021 and times prior, employees working with tandem mixing processes producing flammable ethanol gas as a byproduct of the mixing process were not provided training on flammable gas hazards in the workplace.  (c) Mixing Department:  On or about November 14, 2021 and times prior, employees working with tandem mixing processes generating internal mixer pressure due the formation of water vapor from water/moisture released from an ingredient were not provided training on pressure hazards in the workplace.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

May 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 05271060

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(3)(iii):  Employee training shall include at least the measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards, including specific procedures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment to be used:   (a) Mixing Department:  On or about November 14, 2021 and times prior, employees working with tandem mixing processes with ingredients producing flammable ethanol gas were not provided training on methods to protect themselves from hazardous build-up of flammable gas in the mixers.  (b) Mixing Department:  On or about November 14, 2021 and times prior, employees working with tandem mixing processes with ingredients releasing water/moisture into the mixer were not provided training on methods to protect themselves from hazardous build-up of pressure from water vapor in the mixers.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Penalty

Initial $2,072 · Current $2,072

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.41(a)(1):  Annual electronic submission of OSHA Form 300A Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses by establishments with 250 or more employees.  If your establishment had 250 or more employees at any time during the previous calendar year, and this part requires your establishment to keep records, then you must electronically submit information from the OSHA Form 300A Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses to OSHA or OSHA's designee. You must submit the information once a year, no later than the date listed in paragraph (c) of 29 CFR 1904.41 of the year after the calendar year covered by the form:  Continental Tire The Americas, LLC establishment located at 11525 North IL Hwy 142 in Mount Vernon, IL 62864:  On or about March 2, 2022 the employer failed to electronically submit information from their  OSHA Form 300A or equivalent  for calendar year 2021 by March 2, 2022.  The establishment employed more than 249 employees during calendar year 2021.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(e)(2):  Portable extinguishers or hose used in lieu thereof under 29 CFR 1910.157(d)(3) shall be visually inspected monthly:   Mixing Department, Line 21 (Floor 2):  On or about November 14, 2021 and times prior, the portable fire extinguisher mounted at column P.5 14.5X had not been subject to a visual monthly inspection.

Issued

May 12, 2022

Abate by

Feb 22, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3):  The employer shall assure that portable fire extinguishers are subject to an annual maintenance check:   Mixing Department, Line 21 (Floor 2):  On or about November 14, 2021 and times prior, the portable fire extinguisher mounted at column P.5 14.5X had not been subject to an annual maintenance check.