OSHA Inspection: ACCURIDE CORPORATION

Issued

May 17, 2024

Abate by

Jun 10, 2024

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures shall be developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees are engaged in the activities covered by this section.   On or about March 7, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure the procedures developed for routine tasks requiring control of hazardous energy, performed daily at the SPO, were utilized. Furthermore, the employer did not ensure SPO Operators were trained on the specific procedures developed for tasks performed daily at the SPO, such as Leveling the Draw on A and A1. Employees are exposed to struck-by, crushing, and amputation hazards.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

May 17, 2024

Abate by

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $7,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(n): Handling the load. 29 CFR 1910.179(n)(3)(x): The employer shall insure that the operator does not leave his position at the controls while the load is suspended.  On or about November 30, 2023, the employer did not ensure that the operator remained at the controls for F-11 SPO Bolster Crane. A heavy load was suspended over an unstable metal cart and left unattended. A failure in the rigging or hoist chain with an unattended, unstable suspended load weighing more than 100 pounds exposes employees to crushing and struck by injuries that could result in broken bones or life altering disabilities.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

May 17, 2024

Abate by

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(l)(3)(iii)(d): Pendant control stations shall be kept clean and function labels kept legible.  On or about November 30, 2023, the employer did not ensure that function labels on the pendant control for the F-11 SPO Bolster Crane were kept legible. Pendant controls with illegible labels could result in incorrect directional movements exposing employees to struck-by and caught-between hazards which could result in broken bones, irreversible injuries, and life altering disabilities.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

May 17, 2024

Abate by

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be 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. Examples of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc.  On or about November 30, 2023, the employer did not ensure machine guarding methods were provided or in place for various locations at the SPO. Employees are exposed to point of operation hazards with could result in injuries such as broken bones, burns, crushing injuries, amputations, or death. The following instances were identified:  (a) Just to the right of the Squeeze Head (when looking at the Squeeze Head) at the SPO there was guarding (safety-interlocked gate) disabled and open. Beyond the gate there are chain and sprockets at chest/eye level exposed with the guards removed. The machine was in operation while this was observed. (b) CSHO documented a section of the outside perimeter at the SPO with a safety-interlocked gate guard; however, this guarding butts up to a set of stairs that goes up and over a conveyor (left of the safety-interlocked gate guard when looking into the SPO area). There is nothing preventing employees from going up and over the stairs and into the guarded area.  The machine was in operation while this was observed. (c) A third safety-interlocked gate guard was observed in the SPO operating area that was disabled and open. Passing through this gate leads to the C-1 Conveyor and A1 Head Carriage. The machine was in operation while this was observed. (d) Just to the right (as looking at the C-1 Conveyor from inside the SPO operating area) is another area with multiple trip hazards that could lead to an employee accessing the point of operation for the machine with no barriers or guards present. The machine was in operation while this was observed.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

May 17, 2024

Abate by

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1): Examination. Electric equipment shall be free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.   On or about November 30, 2023, the employer did not ensure that electrical equipment was free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. The following instances were observed: (a) SPO control panel - damaged control button covers exposing internal electrical connections. The start button protective cover for the belt was damaged, with a metal bar resting up against it. This added an additional hazard for the metal bar to make contact with live electrical components within the control panel. The other end of the bar was resting on the metal grating which the SPO operators walk or stand on.  (b) Hartley Control Panel -(Old Muller/Sand Mixer Control Panel) was observed with the door open and 110V wiring ran out of the top as a temporary power supply. The wiring was not properly supported or protected and was not exiting the control panel cabinet in the required manner. The wire running up and out of an open panel, exposes the internal electrical connections of the control panel as well as the wire to damage from persons attempting to close the door and crimping the wire. (c) Breaker Cabinet near the "Old Sand Plant door" observed with damaged individual breaker panel doors for 460V breakers (containing Unit No. 2, Unit-79 Lump breaker).  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

May 17, 2024

Abate by

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(iii): Internal parts of electrical equipment, including busbars, wiring terminals, insulators, and other surfaces, may not be damaged or contaminated by foreign materials such as paint, plaster, cleaners, abrasives, or corrosive residues.  On or about November 30, 2023, internal parts of electrical equipment operating at 480V were observed to be damaged or contaminated by foreign materials. Exposed internal parts of electrical equipment present a fire hazard and shock hazards to employees which could result in life altering injuries, permanent disability, or death.  The following instances were observed: (a) The fused disconnect for the East Furnace Hydraulic Unit was observed to be open to the elements and contaminated with sand and dust.  (b) On the North Wall of the GK Isle, a cluster of electrical disconnects and junction box was observed to be damaged and open exposing internal parts to sand and dust.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

May 17, 2024

Abate by

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,218 · Current $5,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(f)(1): Motors and appliances. Each disconnecting means required by this subpart for motors and appliances shall be legibly marked to indicate its purpose, unless located and arranged so the purpose is evident. On or about November 30, 2023, the employer did not ensure that each disconnecting means for motors or appliances were legibly marked to indicate its purpose. This exposes employees to unknown power sources if performing lockout tagout for work. An exposure to power sources ranging from 480V-600V would result in irreversible injuries or death.  The following instances were identified: (a) Two unlabeled 480V disconnects on the North Wall in the Foundry. These were observed next to disconnects labeled NIS and EXHT FAN hanging on wall down from SUB01-MCP01. (b) A 30A-600V disconnect unlabeled. This was observed outside of cabinet next to SUB01-MCP01. (c) Unlabeled and mislabeled 460V disconnects on a breaker cabinet near the "Old Sand Plant door."  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

May 17, 2024

Abate by

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(f)(3): Durability of markings. The markings required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this section shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.  On or about November 30, 2023, it was observed that the markings used to label disconnects were not durable enough to withstand the environment. An exposure to unidentified power sources ranging from 460V-480V would result in irreversible injuries or death.  The following instances were identified: (a) 480V disconnects on the North Wall of the GK Isle were observed to have sticker labels missing or illegible. (b) 460V disconnects on a breaker cabinet near the "Old Sand Plant door" were observed with labels missing or falling off.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

May 17, 2024

Abate by

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g): 600 Volts, nominal, or less. This paragraph applies to electric equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground. 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(v): Illumination shall be provided for all working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, and motor control centers installed indoors.  On or about November 30, 2023, the employer did ensure proper illumination was provided about service equipment operating at 600 Volts or less to ground, in Substation 6. Employees are exposed to shock and electrocution hazards as they are required to use headlamps and flashlights perform work in the substation, ranging from racking breakers to opening panels for access to electrical feed. This could result in irreversible injuries, permanent scarring, and death.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

May 17, 2024

Abate by

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(h): Over 600 volts, nominal. 29 CFR 1910.303(h)(5)(iv): Illumination shall be provided for all working spaces about electric equipment.  On or about November 30, 2023, the employer did not ensure there was adequate illumination provided for work about electrical equipment over 600 Volts, in Sub 2. Exposure to high voltage could result in permanent disability or death from shocks or electrocution.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).