OSHA Inspection: TEMPCO ELECTRIC HEATER CORPORATION

Issued

Apr 26, 2024

Abate by

Sep 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $9,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii): The procedures shall clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to Items A-D of this section:   On or about November 15, 2023, the employer failed to clearly identify all of the specific steps to be followed by employees to isolate and disable the components of the Castec manufactured High-Speed Continuous Sand Mixer, model Celecta-Flo CEL-100, in order to safely de-energize the equipment and control the hazardous electrical energy. The specific machine's energy control procedure lacked specific steps to render safe hazardous residual energy of the spinning auger blade prior to mixer blade access. Additionally, clear and specific verification steps were not prescribed to determine the effectiveness of the energy control measures. The procedure did not contain the required specific information for use by non-maintenance personnel assigned service and maintenance activities such as, but not limited to, cleaning activities. As a result, employees' upper extremities were exposed to caught-in and amputation hazards associated with the equipment's spinning auger blade when performing service and maintenance activities such as, but not limited to, cleaning activities.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Apr 26, 2024

Abate by

Sep 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): Application of control. The established procedures for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) shall cover the following elements and actions and shall be done in the following sequence:  On or about November 15, 2023, the employer did not ensure that employees implemented energy control application steps prior to allowing them to perform service and maintenance activities on the Castec manufactured High-Speed Continuous Sand Mixer, model Celecta-Flo CEL-100.  Employees were exposed to caught-in and amputation hazards associated with the unexpected energization and residual energy  of the machine's spinning auger blade during service and maintenance activities, including, but not limited to, cleaning.  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.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Apr 26, 2024

Abate by

Sep 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $9,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer shall conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements of this standard are being followed.  On or about November 15, 2023, the employer  failed to conduct periodic inspections of the energy control procedure for the Castec manufactured High-Speed Continuous Sand Mixer, model Celecta-Flo CEL-100, at least annually to ensure that the requirements of the lockout/tagout standard were met.  The employer's machine specific energy control procedure contained several deficiencies such as, but not limited to, specific steps to render safe residual energy of the spinning auger blade and specific verification steps to determine the effectiveness of the energy control measures. Employees performing service and maintenance activities on the specific machine were exposed to hazards such as, but not limited to, amputation hazards associated with the spinning auger blade when performing activities such as, but not limited to, cleaning.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Apr 26, 2024

Abate by

Sep 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $9,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Each authorized employee shall 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 and control.  On or about November 15, 2023, the employer failed to ensure that each authorized employee received 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 and control. Employees were exposed to caught-in and amputation hazards associated with the unexpected energization of the spinning auger blade of the Castec manufactured High-Speed Continuous Sand Mixer, model Celecta-Flo CEL-100 when performing service and maintenance activities such as, but not limited to, cleaning.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).