OSHA Inspection: ECORE INTERNATIONAL INC.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16131.00 · Current $12100.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances M102M104M125

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces are kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.  Production Warehouse 1: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, the area where production machines process and grind old tires and other rubber materials to recycle them into new products had combustible rubber dust located on machinery, electrical, and elevated surfaces.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): The employer did not ensure that the  floor of each workroom is maintained in a clean and, to the extent feasible, in a dry condition. The employer did not ensure that when wet processes are used, drainage is be maintained and, to the extent feasible, dry standing places, such as false floors, platforms, and mats are provided.  Production Warehouse 1: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, the employer failed to maintain work areas clean and in dry conditions exposing employees to slip and trip hazards due to: a) Trash piles spilling into the walkways and work areas, b) Extension cords laying across walkways and work areas,  c) Puddles of water on the floor from broken skylights, and d) Air hoses laying in the floor work areas.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-07-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $13828.00 · Current $10375.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exits routes were not maintained to provide free and unobstructed access.  Warehouse 2 & Production Warehouse 1: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, the employer failed to maintain access to exit routes free and unobstructed exposing employees to a fire hazard in the following areas: a) An exit door was blocked by three pallets of materials, and b) An exit door was blocked by mounds of recycled rubber pellets.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.38(b): An emergency action plan was not in writing, kept in the workplace, and available to employees for review.   Mexia Plant: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to burns, explosion, arc flashes, and fire hazards while working without an emergency action plan in place.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-07-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6913.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.145(c)(3): Safety instruction sign(s) were not used where there was a need for general instructions and suggestions relative to safety measure(s):  Production Warehouse 1: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, the employer failed to post safety instructions exposing employees to both an explosive and fire hazard while working without safety instructions for combustible rubber dust.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $13828.00 · Current $10375.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1): Portable fire extinguishers were not mounted, located and identified so that they were readily accessible without subjecting the employees to injuries.  Production Warehouse 1: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to fire hazards while working in the following locations due to a portable fire extinguisher, a) Being blocked on the right side of the walkway, b) Missing from its designated location outside of the Production Area, and c) Missing from its designated location in the Production Area behind production equipment.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-07-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $13828.00 · Current $10375.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(c)(2)(vii): Only approved power-operated industrial trucks designated as DY, EE, or EX were not used in atmospheres in which combustible dust is not normally in suspension in the air by normal operation of equipment or apparatus but where deposits or accumulations of such dust could be ignited by arcs or sparks originating in the truck.  Production Warehouse 1: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to fire hazards while operating powered industrial trucks where, due to inadequate housekeeping and a faulty pneumatic dust collection system, an accumulation of combustible rubber dust greater than 1/32 of an inch was present. a) Toyota Model 7FDU25 Type D forklift, b) Doosan Model D30S7 Type D forklift, and c) Doosan Model 25 Type D forklift.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-07-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $13828.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator was competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l)  Mexia Plant: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to a struck-by hazard while operating powered industrial trucks without completing a training and evaluation program.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6913.00 · Current $5200.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.243(c)(4): The top half of the wheel of portable grinding machine(s) was not enclosed:  Production Warehouse 1 & Maintenance Shop: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, an employee was exposed to a struck-by hazard while using and working near a Dewalt angle grinder without a guard.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-07-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $13828.00 · Current $10375.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(a)(2)(vi)(C): Cutting or welding was permitted in the presence of explosive atmospheres (mixture of flammable gases, vapors, liquids, or dusts with air), or explosive atmospheres that could develop inside uncleaned or improperly prepared tanks or equipment which had previously contained such materials, or that could develop in areas with an accumulation of combustible dusts:  Production Warehouse 1: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to a fire hazard when welding where combustible rubber dust accumulations were present.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9218.00 · Current $6900.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled equipment was not installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing and labeling.  Production Warehouse 1: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard in the following instances: a)  Surge protector extension cords in the warehouse were not being used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, b)  Extension cords in the warehouse were not being used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, c)  Surge protector extension cords in the production area were not being used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, and d)  Extension cords in the production area were not being used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(6): Equipment located in damp or wet locations was not identified for that purpose.  Production Warehouse 1: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard from electrical equipment used in the production area which was not rated for wet or damp conditions.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9218.00 · Current $6900.00 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.   Production Warehouse 1 & Maintenance Shop: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to electrical hazards in the following areas: a) The circuit breaker boxes were blocked with pallets, tools, and materials preventing ready and safe maintenance, service, and accessibility in case of an emergency. b) The emergency knife switches were blocked preventing ready and safe maintenance, service, and accessibility in case of an emergency.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9218.00 · Current $6900.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

9 CFR 1910.305(a)(2)(x): Flexible cords and cables were not protected from accidental damage, as might be caused, for example, by sharp corners, projections, and doorways or other pinch points.  Production Warehouse 1: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard from a surge protector which was run through a hole in the metal wall in the Production Area of Warehouse 1.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9218.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(i): Portable cord and plug connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) were not visually inspected before use on any shift for external defects (such as loose parts, deformed and missing pins, or damage to outer jacket or insulation) and for evidence of possible internal damage (such as pinched or crushed outer jacket).  Production Warehouse 1 & Warehouse 2: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard from extension cords being used with visible damage without being inspected prior to use. 1) Damaged and taped orange extension cord, and 2) Damaged black extension cord.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-07-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9218.00 · Current $6900.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(b)(2)(i): Pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers approved for the purpose:  Production Warehouse 1: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard from duplex receptacles that were damaged and coated in combustible rubber dust.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-07-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9218.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(e)(1): Cabinets, cutout boxes, fittings, boxes, and panelboard enclosures in damp or wet locations were not installed to prevent moisture or water from entering and accumulating within the enclosures.   Production Warehouse 1: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard from a 240-Volt power supply box being used on the wet floor for production machinery.

Issued

2024-07-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-08-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $138273.00 · Current $69100.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to a fall hazard.  Production Warehouse 1: On or about January 9, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to a fall hazard to the concrete slab below while working from elevated forklift tines to add or remove product from bags.