OSHA Inspection: E.M. PFAFF & SON, INC.

Issued

Jun 26, 2024

Abate by

Jul 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,765 · Current $1,659 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(c)(2)(i): The employer did not provide respirator users with information contained in Appendix D to this section ("Information for employees using respirators when not required under this standard") when voluntary respirator use was permissible:  a) E.M. Pfaff & Son, Inc., 204 E. Franklin Street, Horseheads, NY - Corian Area. On or about January 3, 2024, workers wore N95 respirators voluntarily while sanding, cutting and gluing Corian countertop materials. The information contained in Appendix D was not provided for employees voluntarily using N95 respirators.

Issued

Jun 26, 2024

Abate by

Jul 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

1910.134(f)(2): The employer did not ensure that employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter.  a) E.M. Pfaff & Son, Inc., 204 E. Franklin Street, Horseheads, NY - Spray Booth. On or about January 9, 2024, an employee required to wear a 1/2 face elastomeric Honeywell 5500 respirator during spraying operations had not been provided with an annual fit test. The last fit test provided was four years ago.

Issued

Jun 26, 2024

Abate by

Jul 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $5,531 · Current $3,319 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:  a) E.M. Pfaff & Son, Inc., 204 E. Franklin Street, Horseheads, NY - Throughout the site. On or about January 3, 2024, employees perform servicing and maintenance activities on equipment including, but not limited to the Anderson CNC router, Nederman Dust Collection System, SCM ME35 Edge Bander, Flexa 37 Edge Bander, and Tannerwitz Vertical Bandsaw, which had multiple energy sources including pneumatic and electric. The employer did not ensure the specific LOTO (energy control procedures) were utilized.

Issued

Jun 26, 2024

Abate by

Jul 11, 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 requirements of this standard are being followed.  a) E.M. Pfaff & Son, Inc., 204 E. Franklin Street, Horseheads, NY - Throughout the site. On or about January 3, 2024, employees perform servicing and maintenance activities on equipment including, but not limited to the Anderson CNC router, Nederman Dust Collection System, SCM ME35 Edge Bander, Flexa 37 Edge Bander, and Tannerwitz Vertical Bandsaw which had multiple energy sources including pneumatic and electric. The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the specific LOTO/energy control procedures as required.

Issued

Jun 26, 2024

Abate by

Jul 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls are acquired by employees.   a) E.M. Pfaff & Son, Inc., 204 E. Franklin Street, Horseheads, NY - Throughout the site. On or about January 3, 2024. the Employer did not provide training to authorized and affected employees to ensure that the energy control program was understood and that employees acquired the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage and removal of energy control devices.  Employees perform service and/or maintenance on equipment, including but not limited to the Anderson CNC Router, Nederman Dust Collecting System, SCM ME35 Edge Bander, Flexa 37 Edge Bander, and Tannerwitz Vertical Bandsaw.

Issued

Jun 26, 2024

Abate by

Jul 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,687 · Current $2,212 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:  a) E.M. Pfaff & Son, Inc., 204 E. Franklin Street, Horseheads, NY - Throughout the site. On or about January 9, 2024, employees are required to use corrosives and irritants, such as but not limited to Sherwin-Williams Lacquer Thinner K22, Sher-wood Lovoc Lacquer Sandling Sealer and Sher-wood Color Express Precat, and did not have suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of eyes for emergency use.

Issued

Jun 26, 2024

Abate by

Jul 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,610 · Current $2,766 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was 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) E.M. Pfaff & Son, Inc., 204 E. Franklin Street, Horseheads, NY - CNC Area. On or about January 9, 2024, the SCM ME35 Edge Bander's interlocks were disengaged while the operator was permitted to run the equipment with the guard/doors open. The worker was exposed to lacerations at nip-point hazards. The employer did not ensure the nip-points were guarded during operation.

Issued

Jun 26, 2024

Abate by

Jul 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,687 · Current $2,212 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.:  a) E.M. Pfaff & Son, Inc., 204 E. Franklin Street, Horseheads, NY - CNC Area and Main Floor. On or about January 9, 2024, employees were permitted to use compressed air guns for cleaning at a pressure of approximately 98 p.s.i.  The compressed air nozzles were not equipped with a relief port to lower the pressure to less than 30 p.s.i.

Issued

Jun 26, 2024

Abate by

Jul 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,687 · Current $2,212 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  a) E.M. Pfaff & Son, Inc., 204 E. Franklin Street, Horseheads, NY - Throughout the site. On or about January 9, 2024, where workers handle corrosives, irritants, flammables, and combustible dusts, employees had not received training on hazard communication for hazardous chemicals in the area.