OSHA Inspection: AIR CRAFT WHEELS LLC

Issued

Nov 1, 2022

Abate by

Nov 18, 2022

Penalty

Initial $349 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1903.19(c)(1):The employer did not certify to OSHA, within 10 calendar days after the abatement date, that the cited violation had been abated:  On or about November 1, 2022, the employer did not certify abatement for Citation 1, Item 1, which became a final order on July 14, 2022.  The employer must submit abatement certification within 10 business days.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Jul 25, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,108 · Current $1,470 Reduced

Hazardous substances A001M100

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act: 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 combustible aluminum/magnesium dust fires, deflagration, and explosion hazards while working at or near the wet-type dust collection system and upstream belt sanding operation.  The dust collection system was capable of being operated in a hazardous manner including operation with too low and too high water levels.  The belt sanding operation was capable of being operated without the dust collector in a functional status  Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021 the employer did not operate the belt sanding operation and associated wet-type dust collection system in a manner to protect employees from the combustible aluminum/magnesium dust fire, deflagration, and explosion hazards associated with the conditions of:  1)	Potential for operation of the wet-type dust collector with too low a water level or too high a water level such that wet capture of combustible metal dust particulate is not maintained, and that dry combustible dust is allowed to enter and concentrate in the collector.   2)	Potential for operation of the belt sanding operation without a functional dust collector such as dust collector fan underperformance (too low a flow), dust collector failure, dust collector activated too late, dust collector not activated, and that dry combustible dust accumulates in or near the intake hood of the dust collection system.    The wet-type dust collection system was operated without a means to ensure the system will shut down the belt sander if the wet collector system malfunctions, prevent the start of the belt sander until the wet collector are fully operational, and prevent operation of the wet collector unless adequate water tank capacity and water supply is maintained.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Jul 25, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,108 · Current $1,470 Reduced

Hazardous substances A001M100

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act: 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 hydrogen gas deflagration, explosion, and fire hazards associated with the storage of  aluminum/magnesium sludge for a wet-type dust collector in a non-ventilated 55-gallon drum within the building.     a. Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021 the employer did not store aluminum/magnesium sludge taken out of a wet-type dust collector in a safe manner to ensure that employees were not exposed to hydrogen gas deflagration, explosion, and fire hazards.  The sludge was kept in an enclosed, unventilated metal container within the building.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Jun 28, 2022

Penalty

Initial $2,486 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.28(b)(1)(i):29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i):  Except as provided elsewhere in this section 29 CFR 1910.28, the employer did not 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. Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021, the employer did not ensure  an employee was protected from falling 78 inches to the concrete floor when working on top of the shot blast machine in the finishing department.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Jul 13, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,108 · Current $1,470 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(c)(1): The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.9(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:   a. Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021, the employer did not ensure an effective hearing conservation program was developed and implemented which included audiometric testing, evaluation of employee noise exposures, and employee training.  Employees working in the shakeout and finishing departments were exposed to levels of high noise above 85 dBA.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Jun 28, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,108 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(a):Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered.  a. Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021, the employer did not ensure  an employee pouring molten metal and working around the melting furnaces, wore a protective clothing for the lower body and legs to protect their face from splashes of molten metal.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Jun 28, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.133(a)(1):Protective face equipment was not required where there was a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented by such equipment.  a. Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021, the employer did not ensure  an employee pouring molten metal and working around the melting furnaces, wore a face shield to protect their face from splashes of molten metal.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Jun 28, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,729 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.136(a):General requirements. The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, and where such employee's feet are exposed to electrical hazards.  a. Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021, the employer did not ensure  employees performing work on the shakeout line, molding line, finishing department, and pouring area were wearing foot protection to protect the top of the feet from crushing injuries caused by falling ingots, castings, and mold jackets.    b. Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021, the employer did not ensure  the furnace tender was wearing foot protection that would prevent molten metal from falling onto the employees boots and injuring their feet.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Jul 25, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,108 · Current $1,470 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:  Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021, the employer did not ensure machine specific lockout procedures were developed and documented for the the Hammond Polishing and Buffing Lathe located in the finishing department.   Employees were exposed to crushing injuries from the electric and pneumatic energy sources when performing belt changes.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Jul 25, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,108 · Current $1,470 Reduced

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.  Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021, the company did not ensure a periodic inspection of the company's lockout program was performed.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Jul 25, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,108 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d):The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) did not cover the actions listed in and was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6):  Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021, the employer did not ensure employees locked out the the Hammond Polishing and Buffing Lathe located in the finishing department, prior to changing the sanding belts.  Employees were exposed to crushing injuries from the electric and pneumatic energy sources.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Sep 12, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,108 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(a)(6):The employer did not ensure that all nameplates and markings were in place.  Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021, the employer did not ensure the  Toyota forklift located in the foundry and shipping departments was equipped with a legible nameplate.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Aug 12, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,108 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(l)(1)(ii):The employer did not ensure that each operator had successfully completed the training required by paragraph (l), except as permitted by paragraph (l)(5), prior to permitting an employee to operate a powered industrial truck.  Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021, the employer did not ensure newer employees were properly trained prior to allowing them to operate the Toyota forklift.  Training did not cover the following topics:  1.	Operating instructions, warnings, and precautions for the types of truck the operator will be authorized to operate 2.	Truck controls and instrumentation: where they are located, what they do, and how they work 3.	Fork and attachment adaptation, operation, and use limitations 4.	Vehicle capacity 5.	Vehicle stability 6.	Any vehicle inspection and maintenance that the operator will be required to perform 7.	Operating limitations

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Jun 28, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,108 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(p)(1):Powered industrial truck(s) found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe had not been  taken out of service until restored to safe operating condition(s).  Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021, the employer did not ensure the Toyota forklift used in the foundry and shipping departments was removed from service when the parking brake was found to be inoperable.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Jul 25, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,108 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(q)(7):Industrial trucks were not examined before being placed in service.  Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021, the employer did not ensure the Toyota forklift used in the foundry and shipping areas, was inspected before being placed into service each shift.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Jun 28, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,729 · Current $1,470 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).  a. Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021, the employer did not ensure  the Northfield bandsaw located in the finishing department was properly guarded.  employees were using the band saw to cut risers from aluminum and magnesium castings with the blade guard raised 2 inches above the casting.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Penalty

Initial $2,486 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(1):Sufficient access and working space was not provided and maintained about all electric equipment (operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground) to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.  a. Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021, the employer did not ensure  the electrical panels adjacent to the finishing department were not blocked.  Torching and welding equipment was stored directly in front of the electrical panels controlling equipment such as a welder and an air compressor.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Jul 25, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,108 · Current $1,470 Reduced

Hazardous substances A001M100

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(f)(5): Chemical manufacturers, importers, or distributors did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals leaving the workplace was labeled, tagged, or marked in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1200.  Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021, the employer did not ensure the aluminum and magnesium storage drum located adjacent to the wet collector was labeled as to the identity of the contents, physical, and health hazards.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Jul 25, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,108 · Current $1,480 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000A001M100

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(1):Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021 the employer did not ensure newer employees working in the molding department, shakeout department, and furnace area, exposed to substances such as but not limited to crystalline silica dust, combustible aluminum dust, combustible magnesium dust, nitrogen gas, carbon monoxide, and molding oils, were provided with hazard communication training on the following topics:  1.	Operations in their work area where hazardous substances such as were present; 2.	The location and availability of the written hazard communication program, including the required list(s) of hazardous chemicals, and safety data sheets; 3.	The physical, health, and combustible dust in the work area; 4.	The details of the hazard communication program including an explanation of the labels received on shipped containers and the workplace labeling system, the safety data sheet, including the order of information and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information.

Issued

Jun 21, 2022

Abate by

Jun 28, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.145(c)(2)(i):Caution signs were not used to warn against potential hazards or to caution against unsafe practices.  a. Air Craft Wheels, LLC located at 1158 Center Rd, Avon Ohio: On or about December 22, 2021, the employer did not ensure  signs were posted in the finishing department warning of the hazards of combustible aluminum and magnesium dust.