OSHA Inspection: U.S. TSUBAKI AUTOMOTIVE, LLC

Issued

Oct 2, 2023

Abate by

Nov 20, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $10,938 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:   Instance a - 106 Lonczak Dr, Chicopee, MA:  On and before August 31, 2023, maintenance technicians did not utilize the isolation and verification techniques specified in machine specific energy control procedures when performing maintenance activities on machines including the number 5 Shot Peen Machine (Sinto.)  Instance b - 106 Lonczak Dr, Chicopee, MA:  On and before July 21, 2023,  employees did not isolate and lock out the number 5 Shot Peen Machine (Sinto) dust collector when they reached in with hands and metal bars to unjam the impeller area.  On July 21, 2023,  an employee received fingertip amputation injuries while unjamming the number 5 Shot Peen Machine (Sinto) dust collector without utilizing the energy control procedure.

Issued

Oct 2, 2023

Abate by

Nov 20, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Authorized employee(s) did not receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation: Instance a - 106 Lonczak Dr, Chicopee, MA:  On and before August 31, 2023, maintenance technicians were not trained to utilize the isolation and verification techniques specified in machine specific energy control procedures when performing maintenance activities on machines including the number 5 Shot Peen Machine (Sinto.)  Instance b - 106 Lonczak Dr, Chicopee, MA:  On and before July 21, 2023, employees who reached in with hands and metal bars to unjam the impeller area of number 5 Shot Peen Machine (Sinto) dust collector were not trained on energy control procedures or as authorized employees.  On July 21, 2023, an employee received fingertip amputation injuries while unjamming the number 5 Shot Peen Machine (Sinto) dust collector without utilizing the energy control procedure.

Issued

Oct 2, 2023

Abate by

Nov 20, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $10,938 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(D): The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the requirements for testing a machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy control measures: 106 Lonczak Dr, Chicopee, MA:  On and before August 31, 2023, the energy control procedure for the five Shot Peen Machines (Sinto) did not clearly outline the requirements for testing of the listed energy sources.  The identical verification steps for the two kinetic energy sources did not specify the sequence or which of the multiple keyed/unkeyed switches and/or buttons to use to attempt to start the machine.  The electrical energy source verification step did not specify the location(s) where the qualified person was required to test to verify isolation of system power: whether at the isolating device, the task location where employees were potentially exposed, or both.  The pneumatic energy source verification step did not specify whether all three, or which one of the three, gages need to be checked for a zero reading.

Issued

Oct 2, 2023

Abate by

Jan 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(6)(i):The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed: 106 Lonczak Drive, Chicopee, MA:  On and for many months before July 26, 2023, the employer had not performed a comprehensive periodic inspection of energy control procedures including, but not limited to the Shot Peen (Sinto) 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 procedure for inaccuracies during an energy control task  - A review by inspector with each authorized employee, of that employee's responsibilities under each energy control procedure they are authorized to use - Certification that the periodic inspections had 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.