OSHA Inspection: NICHE POLYMER LLC

Issued

Jun 23, 2023

Abate by

Jul 20, 2023

Penalty

Initial $13,394 · Current $9,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): The employer did not ensure that the floor of each workroom is maintained in a clean and, to the extent feasible, in a dry condition. The employer did not ensure that when wet processes are used, drainage is be maintained and, to the extent feasible, dry standing places, such as false floors, platforms, and mats are provided.  (a) Production Line 4 and Line 10: On or about January 31, 2023, and times prior, employees are exposed to slip and fall hazards due to wet spots and puddles of water on the production floor and around the production equipment.

Issued

Jun 23, 2023

Abate by

Jul 6, 2023

Penalty

Initial $13,394 · Current $9,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i)(A): 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 was protected from falling by a standard guardrail system.  (a) Line 4, Box Dumper Station: On or about January 31, 2023, and times prior, an employee used a stepstool on a single access work platform that elevated the employee past the guardrail system toprail, exposing the employee to a fall of approximately 5ft. 10in. to the concrete production floor.

Issued

Jun 23, 2023

Abate by

Jul 20, 2023

Penalty

Initial $13,394 · Current $9,000 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) Line 4, 8" Pelletizer: On January 31, 2023, and times prior employees tasked with operation of production lines, such as, but not limited to, Production Line 4 are exposed to unguarded rotating parts of a pulling unit comprised of three rollers that is powered by an electric motor that rotates at a speed of approximately 1750 RPM.

Issued

Jun 23, 2023

Abate by

Jul 20, 2023

Penalty

Initial $11,160 · Current $8,000 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) Line 4, 8" Pelletizer: On January 31, 2023, and times prior, the employer used established procedures that were not adequately developed, documented, or utilized to address the control of all potentially hazardous energy on equipment such as, but not limited to, the Cumberland 8" pelletizer, which contained gravitational energy and 480V electrical energy.  The Niche Polymer LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1414516, citation number 2, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on April 13, 2020, with respect to a workplace located at 880 S. Washington St., Ravenswood, WV 26164.