OSHA Inspection: TECHO-BLOC MIDWEST CORP.

Issued

Sep 2, 2022

Abate by

Oct 4, 2022

Penalty

Initial $10,360 · Current $10,360

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.23(a)(2):  Passage through the guardrail of a ladder way floor opening was not guarded by a swinging gate or was not so offset that a person could not walk directly into the opening:  a.  On or about March 30, 2022, an employee was exposed to fall hazards while accessing and egressing the platform located above the Wet Line Mixer One and Two via a fixed ladder and the ladder way floor opening was not guarded to prevent the employee from falling.  b.  On or about March 30, 2022, an employee was exposed to fall hazards while accessing and egressing the platform where the Split Line Hydraulic Pumps are located on the Dry Line via a fixed ladder and the ladder way floor opening was not guarded to prevent the employee from falling.

Issued

Sep 2, 2022

Abate by

Oct 26, 2022

Penalty

Initial $10,360 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.25(b)(1): The employer had not ensured that handrails, stair rail systems, and guardrail systems were provided in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.28:  a.  On or about March 30, 2022, employees were exposed to trip and fall hazards while using the stairs leading to the Control Room because a stair rail system and handrail system was not provided on the open sides.  b.  On or about March 30, 2022, employees were exposed to trip and fall hazards while using the stairs on the back side of Wet Line Mixer One because a stair rail system and handrail system was not provided on the open sides.

Issued

Sep 2, 2022

Abate by

Oct 4, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.28(b)(11)(ii):  The employer did not ensure that each flight of stairs having at least 3 treads and at least 4 risers was equipped with stair rail systems and handrails as described in 29 CFR 1910.28 Table D-2-Stairway Handrail Requirements:  a. On or about March 30, 2022, employees were exposed to trip and fall hazards while using the stairs leading to the Control Room because a stair rail system and handrail system was not provided on the open sides.  b. On or about March 30, 2022, employees were exposed to trip and fall hazards while using the stairs on the back side of Wet Line Mixer One because a stair rail system and handrail system was not provided on the open sides.

Issued

Sep 2, 2022

Abate by

Oct 4, 2022

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

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):   On or about March 30, 2022, employees were exposed to fall hazards of over four feet while accessing and egressing the MCC Room because the platform located outside of the door of the MCC Room did not contain a standard guardrail system on each open side.

Issued

Sep 2, 2022

Abate by

Oct 4, 2022

Penalty

Initial $8,287 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.28(b)(3)(i):  The employer did not ensure that each employee is protected from falling through any hole (including skylights) that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level by one or more of the following methods listed in 29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(i)(A)-(D):  a.  On or about March 30, 2022, employees were exposed to trips and falls while working around Wet Line Mixer One because of the floor hole located between the concrete floor and the guardrail system.  b.  On or about March 30, 2022, employees were exposed to trips and falls while working around Wet Line Mixer Two because of the floor hole located between the stairway and the concrete floor.

Issued

Sep 2, 2022

Abate by

Oct 4, 2022

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $14,502

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d)(4)(i): Lockout or tagout devices were not affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees:   a.  On or about March 30, 2022, an employee performing servicing and maintenance activities inside the barrier guard and under the Wet Line was exposed to the unexpected energization of the RH2000 Press Machine because lockout/tagout devices were not affixed to each isolating device by the authorized employee.  b. On or about March 30, 2022, an employee performing servicing and maintenance activities inside the barrier guard of the Dry Line was exposed to the unexpected energization of the Palletizer because the barrier guard was bypassed and lockout/tagout devices were not affixed to each isolating device by the authorized employee.

Issued

Sep 2, 2022

Abate by

Oct 4, 2022

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D):  Each authorized employee did not affix a personal lockout or tagout device to the group lockout device before working on the machine or equipment:  On or about March 30, 2022, employees were performing servicing and maintenance activities on Wet Line Mixer One and each employee did not utilize a procedure in which all employees exercised exclusive control over the energy isolating devices.

Issued

Sep 2, 2022

Abate by

Oct 26, 2022

Penalty

Initial $10,360 · Current $0 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.  On or about March 30, 2022, an employee was exposed to struck-by and crushing hazards at the point of operation because the RH2000 Press Machine was not guarded to protect the employees from entering the area.  b.  On or about March 30, 2022, an employee was exposed to struck-by and crushing hazards at the point of operation because the Dry Line Palletizer was not guarded to protect the employees from entering the area.

Issued

Sep 2, 2022

Abate by

Oct 4, 2022

Penalty

Initial $10,360 · Current $10,360

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):  On or about March 30, 2022, an  employee working on the Wet Line  was exposed to amputation hazards because pulleys were less than seven feet off the floor and were not guarded.

Issued

Sep 2, 2022

Abate by

Oct 4, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(e)(1)(i): Horizontal belts which had both runs 42 inches or less from the floor level were not fully enclosed by guards conforming to requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):  On or about March 30, 2022, an employee was exposed to amputation hazards while operating the Wet Line because the belt located on the Wet Line was less than seven feet off the floor and was not guarded in accordance with the standard.

Issued

Sep 2, 2022

Abate by

Oct 4, 2022

Penalty

Initial $10,360 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(f)(3):  Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven (7) feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:  a.  On or about March 30, 2022, employees were exposed to amputation hazards while working on and around the Dry Line because the sprocket wheels and chains located approximately 4'-6" above the concrete floor below were not guarded.  b.  On or about March 30, 2022, employees were exposed to amputation hazards while working on and around the Dry Line because the sprocket wheels and chains located approximately 2'-6" above the concrete floor below were not guarded.  c.  On or about March 30, 2022, employees were exposed to amputation hazards while working on and around the Dry Line because the sprocket wheels and chains located approximately 2'-0" above the concrete floor below were not guarded.