OSHA Inspection: MERCER GASKET & SHIM INC.

Issued

Jun 3, 2022

Abate by

Jul 22, 2022

Penalty

Initial $5,801 · Current $4,000 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:  a) Mercer Gasket & Shim Inc. - Throughout manufacturing plant: The employer did not develop and implement lockout/tagout procedures for machines including but not limited to, IPG laser, Grubber machines, AISA Spiral wound gasket machine, 3 Ring bending machine, HSE Engraver laser machine, Doall Band saw, Ward-Jet Edge laser cutting Machines, GTH Hydraulic press, Emhart traveling head press, etc. The machines have multiple energy sources. Employees conducting minor maintenance, cleaning, and unjamming operations were not provided with the Lock out/Tag out procedures, occurred on or about 01/25/2022.

Issued

Jun 3, 2022

Abate by

Jul 22, 2022

Penalty

Initial $5,801 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide adequate training to ensure that employees acquired the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage and removal of energy control devices:  a) Mercer Gasket & Shim Inc. - Throughout manufacturing plant:  The employer did not ensure that authorized employees were trained on all aspects of the energy control program and all specific Lock Out / Tag Out (LO/TO) procedures for machinery such as IPG Laser, Grubber machines, AISA Spiral wound gasket, 3 Ring bending machine, HSE Engraver laser machine, Doall Band saw, Ward-Jet Edge Laser cutting Machines, GTH Hydraulic press,  Emhart Traveling head press, etc.  The machines have multiple energy sources.  Employees conducting minor maintenance, cleaning, and unjamming operations were not provided with the (LO/TO) procedures and specific training, occurred on or about 01/25/2022.

Issued

Jun 3, 2022

Abate by

Jul 22, 2022

Penalty

Initial $5,801 · Current $4,000 Reduced

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) Mercer Gasket & Shim Inc. - Throughout manufacturing plant:   AISA, Spiral Wound Gasket Machine - Model # MSG03-02204 / S/N 06402, IMCAR 3 Ring Bending Machine - Model # B301198 - 220 V and the Ward Jet Edge Laser cutting machine - Model #WJ-1354 / S/N 411001-00448 had missing side guards that enclose moving parts, in going nip point and pinch points, observed on or about 01/25/2022.

Issued

Jun 3, 2022

Abate by

Jul 22, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Mercer Gasket & Shim Inc. - Throughout manufacturing plant: The Grubber machine, AISA, Spiral Wound Gasket Machine - Model # MSG03-02204 / S/N 06402, the IMCAR 3 Ring Bending Machine - Model # B301198 - 220 V, the Doall Band saw machine - Model # 2013-V / S/N 300-971551,  the Ward Jet Edge Laser cutting machine - Model #WJ-1354 / S/N 411001-00448, had missing guards that enclose the points of operation, observed on or about 01/25/2022.

Issued

Jun 3, 2022

Abate by

Jul 22, 2022

Penalty

Initial $5,801 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):  a) Mercer Gasket & Shim Inc. - Manufacturing plant: The Grubber machine had an unguarded pulley approximately 6 feet from the ground where employees could accidentally have contact with it, observed on 01/25/2022.

Issued

Jun 3, 2022

Abate by

Jul 22, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(e)(1)(i): Horizontal belts which had both runs seven feet or less from the floor level were not guarded with a guard that extended to at least fifteen inches above the belt:  a) Mercer Gasket & Shim Inc. - Manufacturing plant: The Grubber machine had an unguarded belt approximately 6 feet from the ground floor where employees could accidentally have contact with it, observed on 01/25/2022.

Issued

Jun 3, 2022

Abate by

Jul 22, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,315 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(c)(3)(i): All splices and joints and the free ends of the conductors were not covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device identified for the purpose.    a) Mercer Gasket & Shim Inc. - Manufacturing plant:  The Accu Weld - Spot welder Model # 314 located next to the  AISA Spiral Wound Gasket Machine had portions of uncovered wiring  that was insulated with masking tape, on or about 01/25/2022.