OSHA Inspection: AMITRON, INC.

Issued

Mar 18, 2024

Abate by

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $14,518 · Current $10,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(B): The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically identify procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking, and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy:  a) DES & Electroless Department - On October 18, 2023, the employer did not ensure that the established energy control procedures clearly identify and outline specific procedural steps to shut down, isolate, block, or secure all hazardous energy sources on equipment, including the Technosystem Brown Oxide Line.

Issued

Mar 18, 2024

Abate by

Apr 11, 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) DES & Electroless Department - On October 18, 2023, employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with moving parts while performing maintenance and servicing tasks on the Technosystem Brown Oxide Line, such as troubleshooting, replacing gears, and changing rollers. 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.

Issued

Mar 18, 2024

Abate by

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $14,518 · Current $0 Reduced

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) DES & Electroless Department - On or about October 18, 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 troubleshooting, replacing gears, and changing rollers on the Technosystem Brown Oxide Line.

Issued

Mar 18, 2024

Abate by

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,222 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(5): The employer did not evaluate the competency of the operator who had previously received training appropriate to the truck and working conditions encountered:    a) Shipping Dock - On or about October 18, 2023, the employer did not evaluate the competency of the forklift operators' previous training to ensure that the vehicle and working conditions were similar prior to operating each type of powered industrial vehicle, including the Nissan 50 Optimum LPG sit down forklift and the Crown Electric Pallet Jack WP 3000 Series.

Issued

Mar 18, 2024

Abate by

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6): The employer did not maintain certification that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by this paragraph (l), containing information including the name of the operator, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation:  a) Shipping Dock - On or about October 18, 2023, the employer did not maintain certification records for all employees that operate powered industrial vehicles, including the Nissan 50 Optimum LPG sit down forklift and the Crown Electric Pallet Jack WP 3000 Series.

Issued

Mar 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,445 · Current $6,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(p)(1): Powered industrial truck(s) found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe had not been taken out of service until restored to safe operating condition(s):  a) Shipping Dock- On or about October 18, 2023, the employer did not remove powered industrial vehicles from service when damage or unsafe conditions were identified. The Nissan 50 Optimum LPG forklift, Model # CUJ02A25PV, Serial # CUJ02-9Q0414, did not have a functioning seatbelt or headlights.

Issued

Mar 18, 2024

Abate by

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7): Industrial trucks were not examined before being placed in service:  a) Shipping Dock - On or about October 18, 2023, the employer did not ensure all powered industrial vehicles, including the Nissan 50 Optimum LPG sit down forklift and the Crown Electric Pallet Jack WP 3000 Series, were inspected or examined, at least daily, prior to being placed in service.

Issued

Mar 18, 2024

Abate by

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,222 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(2): Guard(s) on machine(s) were not affixed to the machine or secured elsewhere when attachment to the machine was not possible:  a) Routing Department - On October 18, 2023, the employer did not ensure that all guards on machines, such as the Routing Machines, including the Esterline Excellon and Inspecta HPL, were affixed and/or secured in a manner that would prevent employees from having any part of their body in the point of operation danger zone during the operating cycle. The guard door for the point of operation was not secured or interlocked to prevent employees from accessing the area during normal production.

Issued

Mar 18, 2024

Abate by

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that all places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces are kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.  a) DES & Electroless Department - On October 18, 2023, the employer did not ensure that all passageways were kept clean and orderly. The edges of the sheet metal used to cover the wastewater, dark water, and caustic pipes, did not sit flush to the ground, creating a trip hazard.

Issued

Mar 18, 2024

Abate by

Apr 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,147 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1): Sufficient access and working space was not provided and maintained about all electric equipment (operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground) to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment:  a) Shipping Dock - On October 18, 2023, the employer did not ensure that there was sufficient access around the Shipping Dock electrical distribution panels. The electrical distribution panels in the Shipping Dock were blocked by a ladder, plexiglass, and drywall.   Amitron, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard, 1910.303(g)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1522580, citation number 2, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on May 26, 2021, with respect to a workplace located at Amitron, Inc., 2001 Landmeier Road, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007.