OSHA Inspection: ROGERS CORPORATION

Issued

Feb 6, 2023

Abate by

Mar 24, 2023

Penalty

Initial $11,162 · Current $6,700 Reduced

Hazardous substances M102

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: 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, including severe burns, to employees in that employees were exposed to dust explosion, deflagration, or other fire hazards from improperly designed and installed dust collection systems:  In the following locations, dust collection systems exposed employees to potential fire and explosion hazards:  A. North Building, Re-grind Area:  On, or about, October 6, 2022, employees were exposed to fire and/explosion hazards because the combustible and explosive rubber dust generated by the rubber granulator traveled through a pneumatic conveying system into a dust collection system which had no protective measures to detect, suppress, contain and isolate any combustible dust fires and/or explosions that were at risk of occurring in or entering the work area. Note: The dust collection system included hoods, ducts and the Sterling cyclone dust collector.  B. North Building, Urethane Buffing Machine: On, or about, October 6, 2022, employees were exposed to fire and/or explosion hazards because the combustible and explosive urethane dust generated by the buffing machine traveled through a dust collection system which had no protective measures to detect, suppress, contain and isolate any combustible dust fires and/or explosions that were at risk of occurring in or entering the work area. Note: The dust collection systems included ducts, Bjerkan & Co., Inc. dust collector and a collection barrel.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $8,287 · Current $6,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  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 struck-by hazards:  Press #3:  On, or about, August 23, 2022, an employee was seriously injured when the eye-bolt installed on the river-side bearing block failed under tension, causing the hook on the ratchet strap to fly back and strike the employee in the face.  The eyebolt used was not rated for use where exposed to any significant amount of force.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $8,287 · Current $5,500 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):  South Building, Docks 1, 2 and 3:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, the middle loading dock was not provided with any type of railing or the equivalent to protect employees from the edge of the open sided floor.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $8,287 · Current $5,500 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):  South Building, Pump Room:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, holes left in the support frame for the sprinkler pump created unprotected openings that were open to the river below.  Employees had to work in the area around the pump to perform a weekly test and to obtain water samples.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $5,283 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.36(d)(1):  Employee(s) were not able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge:  South Building, Warehouse:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, a locked chain link fence was installed in the exterior exit route from the warehouse.  Special knowledge was required to release the door in the fence.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(a)(3):  Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:  South Building, Warehouse:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, wire shelving and plywood was stored in the east aisle that provided access from the south aisle to the exterior exit door.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $8,287 · Current $6,500 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:  Press #3:  On, or about, August 23, 2022, the press was not locked out in accordance with the company's lockout/tagout procedures when performing a belt change-over.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii):  The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, including, but not limited to Items of this section (A) through (D):  Press #3:  On, or about, August 23, 2022, the specific lockout/tagout procedures developed for the Press #3 did not address hazards created by gravity and did not address the potential for platens to drift/fall down while employees had their hands and arms under them to position belts.  In addition, the procedure to isolate the pneumatic system was not consistent with the actual procedures used by employees.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(5)(i):  Locks, tags, chains, wedges, key blocks, adapter pins, self-locking fasteners, or other hardware were not provided by the employer for isolating, securing, or blocking of machines or equipment from energy sources:  Press #3:  On, or about, August 23, 2022:  A.	Blocks, chocks or other effective hardware was not provided along the length of the machine to be positioned under/between platens to prevent them for creeping/falling down while employees had their hands and arms in the machine to position belts.  B.	Employees who assisted the Press Operator with belt change-overs and maintenance were not provided with individual locks and tags to be applied to each energy isolating point during lockout activities.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $8,287 · Current $6,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(i):  The employer did not provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls are acquired by employees:  Company:  On, or about, August 23, 2022, the employer had not provided adequate lockout/tagout training to employees in that:  1.	Employees who were classified as Affected Employees were not aware that they became Authorized Employees once their job duties required that they perform tasks on machines and equipment that exposed them to hazards created by energy sources such as, but not limited to, electrical, pneumatic and gravity.    2.	Employees who were classified as Affected Employees were not aware that maintenance/servicing tasks, including belt maintenance and change-overs required that group lockout be performed when all exposed employees apply lock on each energy isolating device.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  In the following locations, all employees involved in a group lockout did not apply locks and tags to each energy isolating device:    A.	Press #3:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, employees who assisted with a belt change-over did not apply locks and tags to each energy isolating device on a hasp (or other effective device).  Only one lock was applied to the main electrical disconnect by the Press Operator.  B.	Urethane Buffer Bag House:  On, or about, October 31, 2022, the employee who entered the baghouse for cleaning did not apply a lock and tag to the energy isolating device along with maintenance technician.  Abatement Note:  Per 29 CFR 1910.147, the definition of an Authorized Employee is "A person who locks out or tags out machines or equipment in order to perform servicing or maintenance on that machine or equipment.  An affected employee becomes an authorized employee when that employee's duties include performing servicing or maintenance covered under this section."

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $5,283 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(a)(4):  Modifications or additions which affect capacity and safe operation of powered industrial truck were performed by the employer without the manufacturer's prior written approval.  Capacity, operation and maintenance instruction plates, tags or decals of the powered industrial truck were not changed accordingly:  North Building, Wright Dumper Near Mills:  On, or about, October 14, 2022, a Toyota forktruck Model 8FFU25 was used to transport and empty a Wright Model 20055-GRY hopper that was filled with waste material.  The identification plate on the forktruck did not list the hopper as an attachment and did not indicate the reduced capacity of the truck when using the hopper.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,360 · Current $6,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(1):Machine guarding was not provided to protect operator(s) and other employees from hazard(s) created by rotating parts, in-running nip points, pinch points , flying parts and the unused portion of a blade:  A. North Building, Press #4:  On, or about, October 6, 2022, the knife mounted on the cutting station at the finish end of the press had broken several times had been thrown with enough force to exit the machine enclosure.  Safeguarding had not been provided to contain broken knife parts.  B.  North Building, Sheet-Off Conveyor:  On, or about, October 14, 2022, the in-running nip points created when the conveyor belt ran over the pulley on the finish end where not guarded or access to the nip points was not reduced using a plate.  C.  North Building, Long Cross Conveyor:  On, or about, October 14, 2022, the in-running nip points created when the conveyor belt ran over the pulley on the finish end where not guarded or access to the nip points was not reduced using a plate.  D.  North Building, Docks 5 and 6:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, the interlock provided for the doors on the trash compactor was not functional, in that the compactor could run with the doors open.  E.  South Building, Maintenance Shop:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, a hood guard was not provided on the Jet horizontal lathe.    F.  Boiler Room:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, a guard was not provided on the unused portion of the blade on the Wells horizontal band saw, Model 533919.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(4):  Revolving drum(s), barrel(s), or container(s) were not guarded by enclosure(s) which were interlocked with the drive mechanism so that the barrel(s), drum(s), or container(s) could not revolve unless the enclosure(s) were in place:  North Building, Urethane Department:  On, or about, October 6, 2022, the horizontal barrel mixer was not provided with safeguarding.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $7,044 · Current $0 Reduced

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 rotating parts:  South Building, Outside Maintenance Shop:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, a deadman foot switch had not been provided on the Ridgid pipe threading machine in accordance with industry practice.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $8,287 · Current $6,500 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.  North Building, Press #3 Cutting Area:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, the plexiglass guard provided on the Sheet Off machine was broken, exposing the cutting blade.  B.  South Building, Yoga Area:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, the safeguarding provided on the Rosenthal sheeter, serial number 80709 allow access to the in-feed section of the machine as well as the cutting section of the machine.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.216(b)(1):  An accessible safety trip control that operated on contact was not provided in front and/or back of each mill:  North Building, Holding Mill:  On, or about, October 14, 2022, the emergency stop cable provided on the front of the mill was in line with a safety bar that was installed to prevent accumulated material from falling off the top of the mill.  The position of the safety bar/emergency stop cable could prevent the cable from moving enough to trip the emergency stop circuit in the event of an emergency.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,215 · Current $6,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(e)(3)(i):  Vertical or inclined belt(s) were not enclosed by guard(s) conforming to the requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):  North Building, Mill 4:  On, or about, October 14, 2022, a linked leather drive belt located on the side of Mill 4 was not provided with a guard.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  North Building, Urethane Buffer:  On, or about, October 6, 2022, the take-up drive chain and sprocket was exposed on the inside face.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(i)(2):  Revolving surfaces of shaft coupling(s) were not covered by a safety sleeve:  A.  North Building, Mill 4:  On, or about, October 14, 2022, a large shaft coupling with projecting bolts and nuts was not provided with a guard.  B.  North Building, Banbury 4:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, a large shaft coupling with projecting bolts and nuts was not provided with a guard.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,215 · Current $5,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(1)(i)(A):  For electric equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, and likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized, the depth of the working space in the direction of access to live parts (as measured from the live parts where they were exposed or from the enclosure front or opening where they were enclosed) was less than indicated in Table S-1 of Subpart S of Part 1910:  In the following locations, sufficient working space was not provided in front of wall mounted electrical equipment:  A.	North Building, Banbury Area:  On, or about, October 6, 2022, the chiller tank was located in the working space for two control panels and four Square D fused disconnect switches.  B.	North Building, Rubber Cutter near Banbury 5:  On, or about, October 6, 2022, a large scale was located in the working space for a General Electric 480 volt main disconnect switch and an Eaton disconnect switch for the vacuum hoist and lift tables.    C.	North Building, Air Make-up Unit for Urethane:  On, or about, October 6, 2022, the 480 volt control box labeled 1AUH-1 was provided with 32 inches of clearance between the front of the box and a guardrail.      D.	North Building, Rubber Grinding Area:  On, or about, October 6, 2022, a Westinghouse transformer was located in the working space for the Square D Load Center for receptacles, lights and a lift table.  E.	North Building, Urethane:  On, or about, October 6, 2022, Panel UAWTSLV1, a Square D 120/208 volt panelboard was provided with 22 inches of clearance.      F.	North Building, Urethane Press #4 Control Panels:  On, or about, October 6, 2022, the 480 volts main control enclosures for Press #4 were provided with 36 inches of clearance from floor mounted railings.    G.	North Building, Gasket Area:  On, or about, October 14, 2022, a series of disconnect switches and control panels provided for equipment in the vulcanizer enclosure were not provided with adequate working space.    H.	North Building, Control panels for #5 Banbury:  On, or about, October 14, 2022, railings had been installed on the floor in front control enclosures for the large Banbury mixer.  27 inches of clearance had been provided.  I.	South Building, Near loading dock:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, railings installed in front of a Square D I-Line panelboard that energized dock heaters and exhaust fans 37 inches of working space.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(1)(i)(C): For electric equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, and likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized, the width of work space was not clear and did not extend from the grade, floor, or platform to the height required by paragraph (g)(1)(vi) of 29 CFR 1910.303.  Other equipment associated with the installation and located above or below the electric equipment extended more than 153 mm (6 In.( beyond the front of the electric equipment:   A.  South Building, Near Loading Dock:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, an ACME transformer was installed in the working space for panel 2FLRSLV1, a Square D Load Center.  B.  South Building, Rewind Area at Press #2:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, a Challenger transformer was installed in the working space for panel SB1FWALV1, a Square D panel board and a Square D disconnect switch.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.110(e)(2)(iv):  LP-Gas fueled industrial trucks did not comply with the Standard for Type Designations, Areas of Use, Maintenance and Operation of Powered Industrial Trucks, NFPA 505-1969, which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6:  Ref. Section 602.o.  South Building, Docks 1, 2 and 3:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, a "No Smoking" sign or posting was not provided where propane cylinders were stored.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.125(a):  Dip tank was not made of noncombustible material:  North Building, Urethane Department:  On, or about, October 6, 2022, a wash tank that was used to soak and clean the two-part mix head for Press #4 in 2, 5, 7, 10-Tetraoxaundecane, a Category 4 flammable liquid with a flashpoint of 190.4�, F , was made of plastic and had a plastic cover.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Abate by

Feb 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.145(f)(7): Warning tags were not implemented to warn employees of a hazard level between "Caution" or "Danger":     North Building, Press #3:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, signage or markings had not been provided on hot pipes where the insulation was missing or damaged.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(f)(2):Portable fire extinguishers were not hydrostatically tested within the intervals specified in Table L1:   North Building, Press #4:  On, or about, October 6, 2022, an Amerex carbon dioxide fire extinguisher had last been hydrostatically tested on 4/2016.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.215(b)(9):  Guard for abrasive wheel machine where the operator stands in front of the machine was not constructed so that the peripheral protecting member could be adjusted to the constantly decreasing diameter of the wheel:  North Building, M1 Station located at Press #4:  A tongue guard was not provided on the right side of the Dayton bench mounted off-hand grinder.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(7)(iii):  Internal parts of electrical equipment, including busbars, wiring terminals, insulators, and other surfaces, were damaged or contaminated by foreign materials such as paint, plaster, cleaners, abrasives, or corrosive residues:  Banbury Compounding:  On, or about, October 6, 2022, the control box provided on the AER Model SPC-200 cabinet dust collector was not provided with a gasket.  Dust had migrated into the electrical box and was coating the internal parts.

Issued

Jan 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(2)(iii):  Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief was provided that would prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws:  A.  Banbury Compounding:  On, or about, October 6, 2022, a pendant box that housed a receptacle used to energize the scale on the compounding trolley was not provided with strain relief.  B.  North Building, Press #3:  On, or about, November 1, 2022, the outer jacket for the power cord was pulled from the plug fitting on the Dayton pedestal fan, Model 6K806A.