OSHA Inspection: THE KONG COMPANY, LLC

Issued

Jan 5, 2023

Abate by

Feb 27, 2023

Penalty

Initial $13,052 · Current $13,052

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) The Kong Company, LLC: On or before 11/9/2022 the employer did not ensure that all energy sources were identified and controlled in their written energy control procedures. This condition exposed employees to struck-by, thermal, and crushing hazards.  (b) The Kong Company, LLC: On or before 11/9/2022 the employer did not utilize energy control procedures for lubricating and maintenance of the Desma rubber injection molding machines. Emergency stops were used in lieu of lockout/tagout and the machines remained energized while preventative maintenance employees entered the presses for lubing, greasing. This condition exposed employees to struck-by, thermal, and crushing hazards.  Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item. See enclosed "Certification of Corrective Actions Worksheet."

Issued

Jan 5, 2023

Abate by

Feb 27, 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:  (a) The Kong Company, LLC: On or before 11/9/2022 the employer did not ensure that all energy sources were controlled with hardware including but not limited to blocks for the clamp cylinder. The clamp cylinder is hydraulic and remains under pressure when the machine is turned off. This condition exposed employees to struck-by and crushing hazards.  Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item. See enclosed "Certification of Corrective Actions Worksheet."

Issued

Jan 5, 2023

Abate by

Feb 27, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed:  (a) The Kong Company, LLC: On or before 11/9/2022 the employer did not perform an audit of their energy control procedures, training, and devices as required by this standard.   Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item. See enclosed "Certification of Corrective Actions Worksheet."

Issued

Jan 5, 2023

Abate by

Feb 27, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 were understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls were acquired by employees:  (a) The Kong Company, LLC: On or before 11/9/2022 the employer did not provide training to employees regarding the energy control program and procedures. Employees were given informal, hands on training and were not familiarized with written programs and procedures. This condition exposed employees to struck-by, thermal, and crushing hazards.   Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item. See enclosed "Certification of Corrective Actions Worksheet."

Issued

Jan 5, 2023

Abate by

Feb 27, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) The Kong Company, LLC: On or before 11/9/2022, the employer did not affix lockout/tagout devices to each energy isolating device, as required by this standard while employees entered and performed work on rubber injection molding machines. This condition exposed employees to hazardous energy.  Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item. See enclosed "Certification of Corrective Actions Worksheet."

Issued

Jan 5, 2023

Penalty

Initial $4,754 · Current $4,754

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.215(a)(4): Work rest(s) on grinding machinery were not adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one eighth inch:  (a) The Kong Company, LLC: On or before 11/9/2022 the employer did not ensure that the Jet bench grinder had its work rest adjusted to within one eighth of an inch. This condition exposed employees to flying chips and sparks and broken tool and wheel pieces.   Abatement Note: Abatement certification is not required for this item.

Issued

Jan 5, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.215(b)(9): The distance between the abrasive wheel periphery(s) and the adjustable tongue or the end of the safety guard peripheral member at the top exceeded one fourth inch:  (a) The Kong Company, LLC: On or before 11/9/2022 the employer did not ensure that the Jet bench grinder had its tongue guard installed properly. The tongue was backwards and was not creating a gap of no more than one fourth of an inch between the wheel and the tongue guard. This condition exposed employees to flying chips and sparks and broken tool and wheel pieces.   Abatement Note: Abatement certification is not required for this item.