OSHA Inspection: ALPLA INC.

Issued

Aug 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $8,539 · Current $5,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d)(3): All energy isolating devices that were needed to control the energy to the machine or equipment were not physically located and operated in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source(s):  (a) On or about March 26, 2023, on line 7, employees did not ensure locks were secured on interlock door block devices, to prevent the removal of the lock while conducting repair/maintenance/servicing work on equipment.  In the alternative:  29 CFR 1910.147(a)(2)(ii)(B): (A) An employee was required to place a part of his or her body into an area on a machine or piece of equipment where work was actually performed upon the material being processed (point of operation) or where an associated danger zone existed during a machine operating cycle.  (Note: Exception to paragraph (a)(2)(ii): Minor tool changes and adjustments, and other minor servicing activities, which take place during normal production operations, are not covered by this standard if they are routine, repetitive, and integral to the use of the equipment for production, provided that the work is performed using alternative measures which provide effective protection (See subpart 0 of this part)).  (a) On or about March 26, 2023, on line 7, employees did not ensure locks were secured on interlock door block devices (alternative means of protection), to prevent the removal of the lock while conducting repair/maintenance/servicing work on equipment.

Issued

Aug 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $8,539 · Current $5,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(1): Types of guarding. 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. Examples of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc.   (a) On or about March 29, 2023, located in the maintenance department, an Ellis Miter Band Saw had a sections of its blade exposed that was outside of the working portion of the blade, exposing employees to an amputation hazard.  (b) On or about April 11, 2023, located on production line 7, openings in guards where large enough for employees to access the point of operation while the machine is in operation, exposing employees to an amputation hazard.

Issued

Aug 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(c)(3)(i): All splices and joints and the free ends of the conductors were not covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device identified for the purpose.    (a) On or about April 11, 2023, located next to the crossover stairs used to move across line one, it was observed that a live power supply cord was bent/spliced and covered in black electrical tape.  This exposed employees to an electrical shock hazard.