OSHA Inspection: SGL CARBON, LLC - SAINT MARYS

Issued

Sep 27, 2023

Abate by

Feb 26, 2024

Penalty

Initial $5,692 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(a)(4): Modifications or additions which affect capacity and safe operation of powered industrial truck were performed by the employer without the manufacturer's prior written approval. Capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags or decals of the powered industrial truck were not changed accordingly:  a.) SGL Carbon, LLC, located at 900 Theresia St, Saint Marys, PA: On or about 5/24/2023 and times prior thereto, a Hyster forklift (model: N35ZRS-12.5) (serial: A265N02247G) was being used with a self-retracting lifeline attachment. The attachment was used during permit required confined space entry into induction purification furnaces. The employer had not received the forklift manufacturer's approval to use the attachment.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Sep 27, 2023

Abate by

Feb 26, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(a)(5): The powered industrial truck was equipped with front-end attachments other than factory installed attachments, however the employer did not request that the truck be marked to identify the attachments and show the approximate weight of the truck and attachment combination at maximum elevation with load laterally centered:  a.) SGL Carbon, LLC, located at 900 Theresia St, Saint Marys, PA: On or about 5/24/2023 and times prior thereto, a Hyster forklift (model: N35ZRS-12.5) (serial: A265N02247G) was being used with a self-retracting lifeline attachment. The attachment was used during permit required confined space entry into induction purification furnaces.  The employer had not obtained a new forklift plate to identify the attachment and changes in lifting limitations.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Sep 27, 2023

Abate by

Dec 8, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $4,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(d)(14): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not review the permit-required confined space program, using the canceled permits retained under 29 CFR 1910.146(e)(6).  a.) SGL Carbon, LLC, located at 900 Theresia St, Saint Marys, PA: On or about 5/24/2023 and times prior thereto, employees participate in permit-required confined space entries into equipment including, but not limited to Induction Purification Furnaces on a weekly basis. The employer did not conduct annual reviews of their Permit Required Confined Space program.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Sep 27, 2023

Abate by

Jan 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,488 · Current $4,700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(g)(2)(i):The employer did not provide training to each affected employee before the employee was first assigned duties under 29 CFR 1910.146, Permit-required confined spaces:  a.) SGL Carbon, LLC, located at 900 Theresia St, Saint Marys, PA: On or about 5/24/2023 and times prior thereto,  employees participated in permit required confined space entries into equipment including, but not limited too, Induction Purification Furnaces. Employees were assigned duties including, but not limited to, Entrant and Attendant duties prior to receiving training from the employer to ensure the employees understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties in accordance with the employers written program, and 29 CFR 1910.146.   ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Sep 27, 2023

Abate by

Jan 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(g)(4):The employer did not certify that the training required by 29 CFR 1910.146(g)(1) through 29 CFR 1910.146(g)(3) had been accomplished:  a.) SGL Carbon, LLC, located at 900 Theresia St, Saint Marys, PA: On or about 5/24/2023 and times prior thereto, employees participated in permit required confined entries into equipment including, but not limited to, Induction Purification Furnaces.  The employer did not certify the completion of the training required per 29 CFR 1910.146.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Sep 27, 2023

Abate by

Jan 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,488 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(k)(2)(ii): Affected employees were not trained to perform assigned rescue duties. The employer did not ensure that such employees had successfully completed the training required to establish proficiency as an authorized entrant, as provided by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this section:   a.) SGL Carbon, LLC, located at 900 Theresia St, Saint Marys, PA: On or about 5/12/2023 and times prior thereto, Employees participated in permit required confined space entries into equipment including, but not limited to, Induction Purification Furnaces on a weekly basis.  Employees participating in the entries were expected to perform Non-Entry rescues in the event of an incident requiring rescue.  The employer did not ensure all employees had completed the training required by 29 CFR 1910.146 prior to the assignment of duties during entries into permit required confined spaces.   ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation.  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement. IN ADDITION, abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photographic, or video evidence or abatement or other written records.

Issued

Sep 27, 2023

Abate by

Jan 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(k)(2)(iv): The employer did not ensure that affected employees practiced making permit space rescues at least once every 12 months, by means of simulated rescue operations in which they removed dummies or actual persons from the actual permit spaces or from representative permit spaces.     a.) SGL Carbon, LLC, located at 900 Theresia St, Saint Marys, PA: On or about 5/12/2023 and times prior thereto, employees participated in permit required confined space entries into equipment including, but not limited to, Induction Purification Furnaces on a weekly basis.  Employees participating in the entries were expected to perform Non-Entry rescues in the event of an incident requiring rescue. The employer had not practiced making permit space rescues at least once in the last twelve (12) months.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation.  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement. IN ADDITION, abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photographic, or video evidence or abatement or other written records.

Issued

Sep 27, 2023

Abate by

Oct 17, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(f)(8): The entry permit that documented compliance and authorized entry to a permit space did not identify the measures used to isolate the permit space and to eliminate or control permit space hazards before entry:   a.) SGL Carbon, LLC, located at 900 Theresia St, Saint Marys, PA: On or about 5/24/2023 and times prior thereto, the entry permits utilized for permit required confined space entries into the Induction Purification Furnaces identified argon as a potential hazard. However, the the employer's canceled entry permits used during the entries did not include the method employee's utilized for eliminating Argon as a a hazard prior to entry.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.