OSHA Inspection: STEEL FABRICATORS, INC.

Issued

Nov 2, 2023

Abate by

Nov 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $4,465 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(11)(ii):  The employer did not ensure that each horizontal lifeline is part of a complete personal fall arrest system that maintains a safety factor of at least two:  (a)  On or about June 1, 2023, the employer did not ensure that horizontal lifeline systems were designed, implemented and tested to ensure the specific configuration of the lifeline, including amplification of forces due to the angle of sag, and maximum arresting forces involving the load of one employee imposed on the lifeline, would support that employee in the event of a fall. The horizontal lifeline system consisting of wire rope, was anchored or looped around or through a beam. This condition exposed an employee utilizing the lifeline to injuries associated with falls of greater than 10 feet.

Issued

Nov 2, 2023

Abate by

Nov 13, 2023

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(c)(9): Employee(s) were not kept clear of load(s) suspended, or about to be lifted by sling(s):  (a)  On or about June 1, 2023, the employer did not keep employees clear of suspended loads in that, the employees worked next to suspended loads while adjusting rigging on a lifting beam.  Employees utilized the overhead gantry crane, located on the West side exterior of the facility, to relocate steel plates.  Employees attached a lifting beam to the hook and lifted the beam to approximately six feet high.  Employees then stood under the beam while attaching chains and inspecting the rigging.  This condition exposed employees to injuries associated struck-by and crushing hazards.  (b) On or about Jun 1, 2023, the employer did not keep employees clear of suspended loads in that, an employee worked next to suspended loads while positioning a steel beam.  Employees utilized the overhead gantry crane, located on the Southwest corner of the interior of the facility.  The employee raised a curved piece of steel to approximately six feet and lowered the bottom edges onto work rest.  The employee then crossed under the suspended load, swapped the pendant control to the opposite hand, and finished lowering the load.  This condition exposed employees to injuries associated struck-by and crushing hazards.

Issued

Nov 2, 2023

Abate by

Nov 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(d): Each day before being used, the sling and all fastenings and attachments were not being inspected for damage or defects by a competent person designated by the employer:  (a) On or about June 1, 2023, the employer did not ensure that damaged slings were immediately removed from service, in that employees utilized an alloy steel sling with an identification tag missing the rated capacity, in conjunction with an overhead gantry crane, to relocate a bundle of structural steel beams.  This condition exposed employees to injuries associated with struck-by hazards.  (b) On or about June 1, 2023, the employer did not ensure that damaged slings were immediately removed from service, in that employees utilized an alloy steel sling with a damaged clevis hook, which was missing a forged latch, in conjunction with an overhead gantry crane, to relocate a bundle of structural steel beams.  This condition exposed employees to injuries associated with struck-by hazards.  (c) On or about June 1, 2023, the employer did not ensure that damaged slings were immediately removed from service, in that employees utilized a frayed and damaged synthetic vertical drum handling sling, in conjunction with a Hyster lift truck, to relocate drums of paint.  This condition exposed employees to injuries associated with struck-by hazards.  (d) On or about June 1, 2023, the employer did not ensure that damaged slings were immediately removed from service, in that employees utilized a frayed and damaged synthetic endless web sling, in conjunction with a Hyster lift truck, to relocate structural steel beams, used as part of the steel sealing and painting process.  This condition exposed employees to injuries associated with struck-by hazards.

Issued

Nov 2, 2023

Abate by

Nov 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $3,572 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(1):  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:  (a) On or about, June 1, 2023, the employer did not ensure that guarding was provided to protect employees from hazards created by the rotating parts of a Clausing 2272 Drill Press.  This condition exposed employees to struck-by injuries when operating the drill press.  (b) On or about, June 1, 2023, the employer did not ensure that guarding was provided to protect employees from hazards associated with manually manipulating materials at the point of operation, when using a W.A. Whitney, 90 Ton Punch Press.  This condition exposed employees to amputation injuries when operating the punch press.

Issued

Nov 2, 2023

Abate by

Nov 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $3,572 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(a): Hand and portable powered tools or equipment were not kept in safe condition:  (a)  On or about, June 1, 2023, the employer did not maintain a corded power drill used in a safe condition.  Employees utilized an unmarked corded power drill to mix Iron Prime 250 Gray Primer as part of painting steel beams.  The cord on the drill was cracked exposing the electrical wires below.  This conduction exposed employees using the power drill to injuries associated with electrical and fire hazards.

Issued

Nov 2, 2023

Abate by

Nov 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A):  Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:  (a)  On or about, June 1, 2023, the employer used a flexible extension cord to power various electrical hand tools including, but not limited to, an angle grinder and power drill, located at the paint shed, as a substitute for permanent wiring in the facility.  Flexible cords were connected to an electrical outlet located on the exterior of the paint shed, then fed through a hole in the wall.  This condition exposed employees to injuries associated with electrical shock and fire hazards.

Issued

Nov 2, 2023

Abate by

Nov 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(B): Flexible cords and/or cables were run through holes in walls, ceilings, or floors:  (a) On or about, June 1, 2023, the employer used a flexible extension cord to power various electrical hand tools including, but not limited to, an angle grinder and power drill, located at the paint shed, as a substitute for permanent wiring in the facility.  Flexible cords were connected to an electrical outlet located on the exterior of the paint shed, then fed through a hole in the wall.  This condition exposed employees to injuries associated with electrical shock and fire hazards.

Issued

Nov 2, 2023

Abate by

Nov 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(ii): There was a defect or evidence of damage that could have exposed an employee to injury and the defective or damaged item was not removed from service:  (a)  On or about, June 1, 2023, the employer did not remove from service an overhead gantry crane, located in the Southwest corner of the facility which had damaged wiring.  The electrical cord connected to the pendant control had been wrapped in electrical tape after the cord jacket experienced substantial damage, exposing the wires below.  This condition exposed employees to injuries associated with electrical shock.  Note:  1910.179(g)(1)(i): Wiring and equipment shall comply with subpart S of this part.