OSHA Inspection: SLOAN VALVE COMPANY

Issued

Jan 18, 2024

Abate by

Feb 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $16,131

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide adequate training to ensure that employees acquired the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of energy control devices:  a) Machine Shop- On or about September 29, 2023, employees conducting servicing and maintenance on machines and equipment were not knowledgeable in the safe application, usage, and removal of energy control devices. Employees performed servicing tasks on the New Britain Chucker Machines, such as setups, troubleshooting and repositioning tooling, and tool changes, including, but not limited to, changing chucks, collets, thread chasers, and cutters, without the use of energy isolation and control procedures.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Jan 18, 2024

Abate by

Feb 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) was not done in sequence to achieve energy control by performing the following steps as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6):  1. Prepare for shut down by recognizing energy hazards and its controls, 2. Turn off and shut down power to the machinery, 3. Physically locate and operate energy-isolating devices in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source(s), 4. Affix lockout/tagout devices to each energy isolating device, 5. Render safe all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy, and 6. Verify isolation and de-energization of machinery have been accomplished prior to starting the maintenance and/or servicing work:  a) Machine Shop - On or about September 29, 2023, employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with moving parts while performing maintenance and servicing tasks on the New Britain Chucker Machines, such as performing setups and tool changes, including, but not limited to, changing chucks, collets, thread chasers, and cutters, as well as while troubleshooting and repositioning tooling. The employer did not implement energy control application steps as the machine was not shut down or powered off to perform servicing work or adjustments [per the 1910.147(d)(2) requirements]. As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements, involving machine isolation [(d)(3)], LOTO device application [(d)(4)], dissipation of residual energy [(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [(d)(6)], were not implemented to protect employees from machine servicing hazards.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Jan 18, 2024

Abate by

Feb 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $11,524

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding were 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) Machine Shop - On October 3, 2023, the employer did not ensure that employees were adequately protected from rotating parts, flying chips, and point of operation hazards on equipment, such as the New Britain 656 Chucker Machines. The guard was not designed in a manner that would prevent employees from having any part of their body in the danger zone during the operating cycle.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Jan 18, 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:  a) Machine Shop - On or about September 29, 2023, the employer did not ensure that periodic inspections of the energy control procedures and a review of each authorized employee's responsibilities were conducted at least annually to ensure that the procedures and requirements of the energy control program were properly implemented and followed by employees that perform maintenance and servicing tasks on equipment, including the New Britain 656 and 657 Chucker Machines.  No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.