OSHA Inspection: MODERN DISPERSIONS, INC.

Issued

Jun 22, 2023

Abate by

Aug 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $7,813 · Current $5,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(B):The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy. 78 Marguerite Ave, Leominster, MA:  On and before April 25, 2023, energy control procedures, for machines including but not limited to the Arburg Allrounder 370e, only identified electrical energy sources and steps for isolation.  Pneumatic, thermal, and stored energy sources were not addressed on any of the energy control procedures.

Issued

Jun 22, 2023

Abate by

Nov 30, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(6)(i)(B): The employer did not conduct a periodic inspections at least annually to correct any deviations or inadequacies identified. 78 Marguerite Ave, Leominster, MA:  On and for three years before April 25, 2023,  the employer had not performed a comprehensive periodic inspection of energy control procedures including, but not limited to the Arburg Allrounder 370e machine, at least annually to verify that each procedure was adequate and being properly used by employees. *Abatement Notes:  A periodic inspection shall include the following elements:  - Appointment of an authorized employee to inspect each unique multi-energy source procedure for inaccuracies during an actual energy control task  - Certification that the periodic inspections have been performed by identifying the machines or equipment on which the energy control procedures were being utilized, the dates of the inspections, the employees included in the inspections, and the persons performing the inspections *Abatement notes are intended only to provide clarity regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies. Abatement notes do not create (or diminish) legal obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Issued

Jun 22, 2023

Abate by

Aug 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,250 · Current $5,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(a)(4): Modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operation of powered industrial truck were performed by the employer without the manufacturer's prior written approval:   78 Marguerite Ave, Leominster, MA: On and before April 25, 2023, the Nissan powered industrial truck (PIT) of the blending area used a specially made bag carrier attachment that was not approved by the PIT manufacturer.  Additionally, the attachment moved the lifting center of gravity well beyond the length of the forks, but the data plate did not reflect the reduction of capacity.

Issued

Jun 22, 2023

Abate by

Aug 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,250 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(m)(2): Employee(s) stood under or passed under the elevated portion of a powered industrial truck(s):  78 Marguerite Ave, Leominster, MA:  On and before April 25, 2023, a blending area employee was exposed to crushed by hazards when required to reach under the powered industrial truck-suspended bags of plastic mixture raw materials to untie and release the materials into a hopper.

Issued

Jun 22, 2023

Abate by

Aug 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(m)(5)(iii): Powered industrial trucks (PIT), with the operator dismounted and within 25 feet of the truck still in his view, did not have load engaging means fully lowered:   78 Marguerite Ave, Leominster, MA: On and before April 25, 2023, a blending area employee was exposed to crushed-by hazards when reaching between a bag and the blending hopper to untie and release material after leaving the operator's seat of the PIT with the forks in the raised position elevating a pallet sized bag of material.