OSHA Inspection: GENERAL ALUMINUM MFG COMPANY

Issued

Jun 29, 2022

Abate by

May 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $14,502

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:  General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. located in Conneaut, Ohio: On or about January 3, 2022: the employer did not ensure that adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) was provided and required for use by employees tasked with hand pouring of molten aluminum at the Tower Bracket and W.S. Links tilt mold devices. Employees were required to wear cotton clothing, gloves, foot protection (spats), and long sleeves however were not required to utilize aprons. The hazard assessment performed by the company failed to address the additional requirement of a body length appropriate material apron for molten aluminum.

Issued

Jun 29, 2022

Abate by

May 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(i):When the employer had assessed the workplace hazard(s) and determined that hazard(s) were present, the employer did not select and/or use the types of personal protective equipment that would protect the affected employee from e hazards identified in the hazard assessment;  General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. located in Conneaut, Ohio: On or about January 3, 2022 the employer did not ensure that adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) was selected and utilized by employees tasked with hand pouring of molten aluminum at the Tower Bracket and W.S. Links tilt mold devices. The employer failed to select body aprons and face shields to protect employees during pouring operations.

Issued

Jun 29, 2022

Abate by

May 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.133(a)(1):The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation:  General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. located in Conneaut, Ohio: On or about January 3, 2022 the employer did not ensure that face shields were provided to and  utilized by employees tasked with hand pouring of molten aluminum at the Tower Bracket and W.S. Links tilt mold devices. Employees were observed performing the activity with only safety glasses.

Issued

Jun 29, 2022

Abate by

May 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $11,396 · Current $14,502

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(b)(2)(i): Pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers approved for the purpose:   General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. located in Conneaut, Ohio: On or about January 3, 2022: the employer did not ensure live electrical components including conductive wiring were guarded against accidental contact. An electrical junction box was not covered on the door to the robotic pour cell area of the 10 speed table, thereby exposing employees to an electrical shock hazard of approximately 120 VAC

Issued

Jun 29, 2022

Abate by

Jun 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $145,027 · Current $145,027

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:  a) General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. located in Conneaut, Ohio: On or about January 3, 2022: the employer did not ensure operators working on the "10 Speed" Tilt Pour Turntable  located in the foundry area, utilized lockout procedures when performing work such as but not limited to maintenance and servicing tasks. Employees routinely enter the turntable area to access individual tilt pour presses for service and maintenance. Tasks include but are not limited to, attaching water and hydraulic hoses,  repairing of hydraulic and water leaks, and general cleaning/ housekeeping. During these tasks employees are exposed to hazardous moving machinery such as but not limited to the tilting of mold presses and closing of the molds.  b) General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. located in Conneaut, Ohio: On or about January 3, 2022: the employer did not ensure operators working on the "580" Tilt Pour Turntable  located in the foundry area, utilized lockout procedures when performing work such as but not limited to maintenance and servicing tasks. Employees routinely enter the turntable area to access individual tilt pours presses for service and maintenance. Tasks include but are not limited to, attaching water and hydraulic hoses,  repairing of hydraulic and water leaks, and general cleaning/ housekeeping. During these tasks employees are exposed to hazardous moving machinery such as but not limited to the tilting of mold presses and closing of the molds.  c) General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. located in Conneaut, Ohio: On or about January 3, 2022: the employer did not ensure operators working on the Tower Bracket Hand Pour Tilt Molds  located in the foundry area, utilized lockout procedures when performing work such as but not limited to, cleaning under the tilt mold table. Employees were observed under the tilt mold area as it was in the horizontal position to remove casting debris and general cleaning. During this task employees are exposed to the mold table tilting back to the vertical position, exposing the employee to struck by and caught in hazards.    General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 29 CFR 1910.147 (c)(4)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1134563, citation number 1, item number 1, and was affirmed as a final order on December 14, 2017, with respect to a workplace located at 1370 Chamberlain Rd. Conneaut, OH.   General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. was previously cited for a violation of an equivalent Occupational Safety and Health Standard 29 CFR 1910. 147(d)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1060722, citation number 1, item number 1a, and was affirmed as a final order on February 27, 2017 with respect to a workplace located at 13663 Short Rd., Wapakoneta, OH.   General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. was previously cited for a violation of an equivalent Occupational Safety and Health Standard 29 CFR 1910.147 (d)(4)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1050654, citation number 1, item number 2, and was affirmed as a final order on March 3, 2017 with respect to a workplace located at 5159 S. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH.

Issued

Jun 29, 2022

Abate by

Jun 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $145,027 · Current $145,027

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(1):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:  a) General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. located in Conneaut, Ohio: On or about January 3, 2022 the employer did not ensure the six (6) tilt pour permanent mold machines of the "580" turntable located in the foundry area were effectively guarded to protect employees from pinch point hazards created by the movement of the machinery. Additionally, employees were exposed to the pinch point between the upper and lower molds when closing within the press.   b) General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. located in Conneaut, Ohio: On or about January 3, 2022 the employer did not ensure the automatic pour area of the "580" turntable located in the foundry area was effectively guarded to protect employees from movement of the automatic (robotic) pouring machinery. Employees were exposed to the movement of the robotic arm and ladle containing molten aluminum. Barrier guarding was removed from the area prior to production for mold preparations.  The effective barrier guarding was not put in place prior to operation of the auto pour area.   c)  General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. located in Conneaut, Ohio: On or about January 3, 2022 the employer did not ensure the two (2) tilt hand pour permanent mold machines known as Tower Bracket Molds in the foundry area were effectively guarded to protect employees from pinch point hazards created by the movement of the machinery. Employees were exposed to the movement or tilting of the press molds themselves from the vertical to horizontal position. Additionally, employees were exposed to the pinch point between the upper and lower molds when closing within the press.   d) General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. located in Conneaut, Ohio: On or about January 3, 2022 the employer did not ensure the four (4) tilt hand pour permanent mold machines known as W.S. Links Molds in the foundry area were effectively guarded to protect employees from pinch point hazards created by the movement of the machinery. Employees were exposed to the movement or tilting of the press molds themselves from the vertical to horizontal position.    e) General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. located in Conneaut, Ohio: On or about January 3, 2022 the employer did not ensure the four (4) sand core machines located in the sand core area were effectively guarded to protect employees from pinch point hazards created by the movement of the machinery. Employees were exposed to the closing of the sand filler and CO2 blower attachments onto the core mold area.    General Aluminum Manufacturing Co.  was previously cited for a violation of an equivalent Occupational Safety and Health Standard 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1103613, citation number 1, item number 1,  and was affirmed as a final order on February 27, 2017 with respect to a workplace located at 5159 S. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH.  General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard  29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1081573, citation number 1, item number 1,  and was affirmed as a final order on February 27, 2017 with respect to a workplace located at  5159 S. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH.  General Aluminum Manufacturing Co.  was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard  29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1060722, citation number 1, item number 1b, and was affirmed as a final order on February 27, 2017 with respect to a workplace located at 13663 Short Rd., Wapakoneta, OH.

Issued

Jun 29, 2022

Abate by

May 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $14,502

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(f)(4):Disconnecting means were not capable of accepting a lock in the open position:  General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. located in Conneaut, Ohio: On or about January 3, 2022: the employer did not ensure the a means in which to apply a lock to the power disconnect on the main control panel of the #900 sand core machine was provided. At the time of inspection the switch was broken and in need of repair.

Issued

Jun 29, 2022

Abate by

May 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(f)(6):The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the product identifier, signal word, hazard statement(s), pictogram(s), precautionary statement(s) and name, address, and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party:  General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. located in Conneaut, Ohio: On or about January 3, 2022: the employer did not ensure that containers with hazardous chemicals residing within them were properly labeled. A transparent bottle ( 1 gallon) of lubricant was located near the robotic cell of the 580 table which was not labelled as to its contents.