OSHA Inspection: HARTZELL FAN, INC.

Issued

Apr 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,469 · Current $7,735 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): The employer shall 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. The training shall include the following: 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 March 8, 2023 in the Crating Area, the employer did not ensure that each employees including the craters and other employees assisting with cleaning were trained as authorized employees on the recognition of energy sources and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control for equipment including the Original Saw Company Radial Arm Saw, when performing cleaning behind the saw blade.

Issued

Apr 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,469 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): Application of control. The established procedures for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) shall cover the following elements and actions and shall be done in the following sequence: (1) Preparation for shutdown. Before an authorized or affected employee turns off a machine or equipment, the authorized employee shall have knowledge of the type and magnitude of the energy, the hazards of the energy to be controlled, and the method or means to control the energy. (3) Machine or equipment isolation. All energy isolating devices that are needed to control the energy to the machine or equipment shall be physically located and operated in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source(s). (4)(i) Lockout or tagout devices shall be affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees. (4)(ii) Lockout devices, where used, shall be affixed in a manner to that will hold the energy isolating devices in a "safe" or "off" position. (6) Verification of isolation. Prior to starting work on machines or equipment that have been locked out or tagged out, the authorized employee shall verify that isolation and deenergization of the machine or equipment have been accomplished.  a) On or about March 8, 2023 in the Crating Area, the crater or person assisting the crater cleaned behind the saw blade of the Original Saw Company Radial Arm Saw exposing them to amputation injuries from the rotating saw blade due to not applying the following elements of the energy control procedure as required by: d-1. The crater operator nor other employees assisting the crater operator were considered as authorized employees and were not knowledgeable on the means and method to control the hazardous energy. d-3. Neither the crater operator nor other employees assisting the crater operator isolate the electrical energy source of the machine. d-4. Neither the crater operator nor other employees assisting the crater operator apply energy isolating devices to the electrical disconnect for the Radial Arm Saw in the safe or off position utilizing lockout devices. d-6. Each employee did not verify that energy was no longer present by restarting the machine.

Issued

Apr 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,469 · Current $7,735 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(h)(1): The upper hood shall completely enclose the upper portion of the blade down to a point that will include the end of the saw arbor. The upper hood shall be constructed in such a manner and of such material that it will protect the operator from flying splinters, broken saw teeth, etc., and will deflect sawdust away from the operator. The sides of the lower exposed portion of the blade shall be guarded to the full diameter of the blade by a device that will automatically adjust itself to the thickness of the stock and remain in contact with stock being cut to give maximum protection possible for the operation being performed.  a) On or about March 8, 2023 in the Crating Area, the adjustable guard on the right side was not adjusted to protect employees performing crating who used The Original Saw Company Radial Arm Saw with a lower guard that exposed employees to the saw blade in that the guard on the right side did not automatically adjust to the thickness of the stock when cutting wood boards for crates, exposing employees to potential amputation hazards.