OSHA Inspection: ALABAMA HEAT EXCHANGERS, INC.

Issued

Sep 25, 2023

Abate by

Oct 3, 2023

Penalty

Initial $2,277 · Current $1,594 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l):   a) Production Areas (Facility - Forklift Operations): On or about May 04, 2023, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to struck-by and crush-by hazards in that powered industrial truck (forklift) training was not provided to an employee operating a forklift while loading and unloading materials during production activities.

Issued

Sep 25, 2023

Abate by

Oct 3, 2023

Penalty

Initial $2,277 · Current $1,594 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(B): For electric equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, and likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized, the width of the working space in front of electrical equipment was less than the width of the equipment or 762 mm (30 inches), whichever was greater:  a) Machine Shop Department (Bullard Lathe Area/QO Load Center Panel): On or about May 04, 2023, and times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical hazards, in that a clear an unobstructed path of at least 762 mm (30 inches) in front of an electrical panel box switch box was not kept for employees use during an emergency response.  b) Machine Shop Department (Zero Blast-N-Peen Area/Miller SRH-333 Welding Machine Safety Switch): On or about May 04, 2023, and times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical hazards, in that a clear an unobstructed path of at least 762 mm (30 inches) in front of an electrical safety (knife) switch box was not kept for employees use during an emergency response.  c) Fitting Department (Miller Dimension 452 and Miller Dimension 652 Welding Machine Area/Panel C): On or about May 04, 2023, and times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical hazards, in that a clear an unobstructed path of at least 762 mm (30 inches) in front of an electrical panel box was not kept for employees use during an emergency response.  d) Fitting Department (AIRCO 826004 and Miller Welding Machine Area/Panel F): On or about May 04, 2023, and times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical hazards, in that a clear an unobstructed path of at least 762 mm (30 inches) in front of an electrical panel box was not kept for employees use during an emergency response.

Issued

Sep 25, 2023

Abate by

Oct 3, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:  a) Welding Department (Bullard Lathe Area/HASS Panel A): On or about May 04, 2023, and times prior, the employer failed to effectively close unused knockout hole(s) and opening(s) in the electrical panel box; exposing employees to electrical hazards during production activities.  b) Machine Shop Department (Zero Blast-N-Peen Area/Miller SRH-333 Welding Machine Safety Switch): On or about May 04, 2023, and times prior, the employer failed to effectively close unused knockout hole(s) and opening(s) in an electrical safety switch box; exposing employees to electrical hazards during production activities.  c) Machine Shop Department (Bullard Lathe Area/Junction Box): On or about May 04, 2023, and times prior, the employer failed to effectively close unused knockout hole(s) and opening(s) in the junction metal box; exposing employees to electrical hazards during production activities.  d) Machine Shop Department (Bullard Lathe Area/240-Volt Box): On or about May 04, 2023, and times prior, the employer failed to effectively close unused knockout hole(s) and opening(s) in the 240 volt electrical  metal box; exposing employees to electrical hazards during production activities.  e) Fitting Department (Miller Dimension 452 and Miller Dimension 652 Welding Machine Area/Panel C): On or about May 04, 2023, and times prior, the employer failed to effectively close unused knockout hole(s) and opening(s) in the electrical panel box; exposing employees to electrical hazards during production activities.  f) Fitting Department (AIRCO 826004  and Miller Welding Machine Area/Panel F): On or about May 04, 2023, and times prior, the employer failed to effectively close unused knockout hole(s) and opening(s) in the electrical panel box; exposing employees to electrical hazards during production activities.  g) Fitting Department (AIRCO 826004  and Miller Welding Machine Area/Panel E): On or about May 04, 2023, and times prior, the employer failed to effectively close unused knockout hole(s) and opening(s) in the electrical panel box; exposing employees to electrical hazards during production activities.

Issued

Sep 25, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1): Portable fire extinguishers were not mounted, located and identified so that they were readily accessible without subjecting the employees to injuries:  a) Machine Shop Department (Sliding Service Door/East Entrance Area): On or about May 04, 2023, and times prior, the employer failed to mount and make readily accessible portable fire extinguishers in the work area for a fire emergency event.  b) Machine Shop Department (LAGUN-Republic Milling Machine Area): On or about May 04, 2023, and times prior, the employer failed to mount and make readily accessible portable fire extinguishers in the work area for a fire emergency event.  c) Machine Shop Department (Coca-Cola Machine Area): On or about May 04, 2023, and times prior, the employer failed to mount and make readily accessible portable fire extinguishers in the work area for a fire emergency event.

Issued

Sep 25, 2023

Abate by

Oct 3, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(g)(2):The educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting was not provided to all employees upon initial employment, and at least annually thereafter:  a) Facility (Theodore, AL): On or about May 04, 2023, and times prior, the employer required all employees to fight small fires in the work place, but failed to provide fire extinguisher training to employees upon initial employment, and at least annually thereafter; for employees during fire emergency events.

Issued

Sep 25, 2023

Abate by

Oct 3, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.184(c)(1): Sling(s) that were damaged or defective were used:   a)  Production Area (Assembly/Fitting Department - Crane Lift Area): On or about May 04, 2023, and at times prior, the employer allowed employees to use a damage lifting strap(sling) while employees were performing crane lifting operations in the workplace.

Issued

Sep 25, 2023

Abate by

Oct 3, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.184(c)(14): Employers used slings without affixed and legible identification markings.    a)  Production Area (Assembly/Fitting Department - Crane Lift Area): On or about May 04, 2023, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to struck-by and crushed-by hazards by allowing employees to use a sling (lifting strap) that did not have an affixed and legible identification marking while employees were performing crane lifting operations in the workplace.

Issued

Sep 25, 2023

Abate by

Oct 3, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(b)(2)(iii): Where the work permitted, the welder was not enclosed in an individual booth painted with a finish of low reflectivity such as zinc oxide and lamp black, or was enclosed with noncombustible screens similarly painted.  Workers or other persons adjacent to the welding areas were not protected from the rays by noncombustible or flameproof screens or shields or were required to wear appropriate goggles.    a)  Production Area (Welding Department): On or about May 04, 2023, and at times prior, the employer failed to provide welding screens or shields that enclosed welding activities while employees were walking or working adjacent to those areas.

Issued

Sep 25, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.254(d)(9)(iii): Cables with damaged insulation or exposed bare conductors were not replaced:   a)  Production Area (Welding Department/Miller SRH-333 Welding Machine): On or about May 04, 2023, and at times prior, the employer allowed employees to use damaged electrode cables with exposed bare wires while employees were performing welding production activities with a Miller arc welding machine.

Issued

Sep 25, 2023

Abate by

Oct 3, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(10): The employer did not ensure that workplace labels or other forms of warnings were legible, in English and prominently displaced on the container or readily available in the work area throughout each work shift:  a) Diesel Fuel Bulk Storage Container: On or about May 04, 2023, and at times prior, the employer failed to ensure that labels in the diesel fueling area were legible and prominently displaced on the diesel fuel bulk storage container as specified in the regulation.