OSHA Inspection: SOFIDEL AMERICA CORP.

Issued

Feb 14, 2023

Abate by

Mar 6, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $15,625

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.  a. On or about September 23, 2022, and at times prior, in the Converting Department, the employer did not ensure that pre-lift inspections were being performed on the R88 DEMAG 8 metric ton underhung crane (Serial No. 200056) and the ASC Industries below-the-hook lifting device (Serial No. 511859) in order to identify damage and/or missing components. Employees were exposed to stuck-by hazards while using the crane to hoist reels of paper weighing approximately 6,427 pounds due to a missing cotter pin on the side of the lift beam.

Issued

Feb 14, 2023

Abate by

Mar 6, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,733 · Current $14,733

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall:  29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(i): Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment;   a. On or about September 29, 2022, and at times prior, the employer did not assess the work tasks on the various production lines in the Converting Department to determine if hazards are present which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure that employees were provided with hand protection to protect from sharp machine parts. The employer also did not select and have each affected employee use hand protection in tasks on these lines such as, but not limited to, clearing jammed material and clearing jammed cores. As a result, converting operators and assistants were exposed to caught-in/between and struck-by/against hazards associated with sharp exposed parts in various areas of the production lines during these tasks.

Issued

Feb 14, 2023

Abate by

Mar 6, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): General requirements. Employers shall select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.  a. On or about September 29, 2022, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that employees working to clear jammed cores from the R88 production line rewinder section wore hand protection to protect them from the severe amputation, cut and laceration injuries associated with contacting rollers and other sharp parts of the machine.  b. On or about September 21, 2022, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that employees working to clear jammed material, such as material that wrapped up in the machine from the R88 production line rewinder section, wore hand protection to protect them from the severe amputation, cut and laceration injuries associated with contacting the guide plate and rollers of the machine.

Issued

Feb 14, 2023

Abate by

Mar 6, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $15,625

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures shall be developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees are engaged in the activities covered by this section.   a. On or about September 29, 2022, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that the documented energy control procedure for the R88 Gambini ProFlex700 Unwinder machine was utilized while employees cleared jammed cores from the head unit and rewinder section of the machine, thereby exposing employees to being caught-in/between rollers and in-going nip-points, and being struck-by/against sharp parts of the rollers and knives and guide plates.  b. On or about September 21, 2022, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that the documented energy control procedure for the R88 Gambini ProFlex700 Unwinder machine was utilized while two employees were clearing jammed material that was wrapped up in rollers on the rewinder section of the machine, thereby exposing employees caught-in/between rollers and in-going nip-points, and being struck-by/against sharp parts of the rollers and knives and guide plates. As a result, an employee was seriously injured resulting in hospitalization.

Issued

Feb 14, 2023

Abate by

Mar 6, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $15,625

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Each authorized employee shall receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.  a. On or about September 29, 2022, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that each employee performing servicing and maintenance covered tasks on the R88 Gambini ProFlex700 unwinder machine such as, but not limited to, clearing jammed cores or clearing jammed material, such as "wrap-ups", received training in the recognition of hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.

Issued

Feb 14, 2023

Abate by

Mar 6, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $15,625

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(1): Testing or positioning of machines, equipment or components thereof. In situations in which lockout or tagout devices must be temporarily removed from the energy isolating device and the machine or equipment energized to test or position the machine, equipment or component thereof, the following sequence of actions shall be followed:   29 CFR 1910.147(f)(1)(ii): Remove employees from the machine or equipment area in accordance with paragraph (e)(2) of this section;  a. On or about September 21, 2022, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that all employees clearing a "wrap-up" of jammed material from the Rewinder Unit of the R88 Gambini ProFlex700 Unwinder machine, were removed from the machine or equipment prior to jogging the rollers to position the machine to clear the jam during the task. Employees were thereby exposed to caught-in/between and struck-by/against hazards associated with the moving and stationary parts of the machine. As a result, an employee was seriously injured resulting in hospitalization.

Issued

Feb 14, 2023

Abate by

Mar 6, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.  a. On or about September 29, 2022, and at times prior, the employer did not verify that the required personal protective equipment (PPE) workplace hazard assessment was performed through a written certification.