OSHA Inspection: ACME BRICK COMPANY

Issued

Jan 10, 2024

Penalty

Initial $14,063 · Current $14,063

General-duty citation text

1910.184(c)(1)  Sling(s) that were damaged or defective were used:  (a) On or about August 28, 2023, employees operating the winch on the transfer cart located at the entrance to the holding room were not protected from a struck-by hazard in that the cable end where the hook was attached had been secured with U-bolt clips with two saddles over both wire ropes. Note: All three U-bolts slid together pinching the wire rope.

Issued

Jan 10, 2024

Abate by

Feb 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $10,046 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(3): Walking-working surfaces were not maintained free of hazards such as sharp or protruding objects, loose boards, corrosion, leaks, spills, snow, and ice:  (a) On or about September 28, 2023, employees walking and working on the concrete floor in between the dryers and the burning department offices were exposed to a tripping hazard in that there were two I-Beams that had been cut off but were not flush with the surface of the floor and protruded upwards approximately 0.5 inches.  (b) On or about August 28, 2023, employees working in the holding room were exposed to a tripping hazard in that the concrete floor jutted up approximately 1.25 inches in areas and had sections where broken pieces were removed leaving an approximately 2.5-inch-deep depression.

Issued

Jan 10, 2024

Abate by

Feb 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $14,063 · Current $14,063

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1): The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces:  (a) On or about August 23, 2023, employees were exposed to excessive heat, struck-by, burn, and entrapment hazards associated with the dryers in that the employer evaluated them as a confined space and not a permit-required confined space.

Issued

Jan 10, 2024

Abate by

Feb 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $14,063 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3)(iii): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not isolate the permit space:  (a) On or about August 23, 2023, employees working in dryer C were exposed to an excessive heat hazard in that the shutters are manually shut off, but they are not isolated in that they are not locked and tagged out to ensure that hot air up to approximately 275 degrees Fahrenheit was not unexpectedly reintroduced into the dryer;  (b) on or about August 23, 2023, employees working in dryer C were exposed to a struck-by hazard in that the door on the entrance end of the dryer was not closed and the electrical energy powering it was not shutoff, locked and tagged out to ensure that carts were not unexpectedly pushed into the dryer;  (c) On or about August 23, 2023, employees working in dryer C were exposed to a struck-by and/or entrapment hazard in that the door on the exit end of the dryer was raised to allow employees to enter but it was not isolated in that the electrical energy powering it was not shut off and locked and tagged out nor was the door secured in the raised position to ensure it did not unexpectedly fall onto and/or trap employees under it.

Issued

Jan 10, 2024

Abate by

Feb 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $14,063 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3)(vi): The employer did not verify that conditions in the permit space are acceptable for entry throughout the duration of an authorized entry:  (a) On or about August 23, 2023, and at times prior to, employees working in dryer C were exposed to an excessive heat hazard in that no actual temperatures were taken in the work area and documented ensuring it was safe prior to and during entry.

Issued

Jan 10, 2024

Abate by

Feb 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $14,063 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(13): The employer did not review entry operations when the employer had reason to believe that the measures taken under the permit space program may not protect employees and revise the program to correct deficiencies found to exist before subsequent entries are authorized:  (a) On or about August 23, 2023, and at times prior to, the employer did not review entry operations into dryer C when the employer received complaints from employees about excessive heat. The employer did not investigate the allegations to correct any deficiencies found to protect employees performing future entries.

Issued

Jan 10, 2024

Abate by

Feb 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $14,063 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(f)(7): The entry permit that documented compliance and authorized entry to a permit space did not identify the hazards of the permit space to be entered:  (a) On or about August 23, 2023, employees working in dryer C were exposed to a burn hazard in that the metal rails and carts in the dryer are exposed to heat up to approximately 275 degrees Fahrenheit and this hazard was not identified on the entry permit;  (b) on or about August 23, 2023, employees working in dryer C were exposed to a struck-by hazard from carts being unexpectedly pushed into the dryer and this hazard was not identified on the entry permit;

Issued

Jan 10, 2024

Abate by

Feb 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $14,063 · Current $14,063

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:  (a) On or about August 23, 2023, employees entering dryer C to retrieve derailed carts were exposed to an excess heat hazard in that the damper within the heated air ducting going into dryer C had no procedures developed, documented, and utilized to ensure that it stayed in the closed position blocking hot air from entering the dryer and did not get opened unexpectedly.

Issued

Jan 10, 2024

Abate by

Feb 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,026 · Current $6,026

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(c): Storage areas were not kept free from accumulation of materials that constituted hazards from tripping, fire, explosion, or pest harborage:  (a) On or before August 28, 2023, employees were exposed to a tripping hazard in that in the holding room brick and debris were strewn across the floor and in walkways.

Issued

Jan 10, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,026 · Current $6,026

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(a)(2)(xi): Cable assemblies and flexible cords shall be supported in place with supports in the form of staples, cables ties, straps, or similar type fittings installed so as not to cause damage.  (a) On or about August 28, 2023, a cable assembly going into the limit switch of the trolley system on track five within the holding room was found unsupported and had been damaged by a cartwheel because it had become too close to the track exposing employees to an electrical shock hazard.

Issued

Jan 10, 2024

Abate by

Feb 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(b): Adequate first aid supplies were not readily available:  (a) On or about August 28, 2023, employees exposed to the hazards associated with manufacturing bricks were not provided adequate first aid supplies in that 7 of 8 items inspected had expired dates on them.