OSHA Inspection: HELM TOOL COMPANY INCORPORATED

Issued

Jun 12, 2024

Abate by

Aug 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,067 · Current $8,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(B):The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy.  (a) On or about January 11, 2024, the employer's energy control procedures for the Flow Corporation I-4800 Water Table Cutter, S/N: 378046, did not contain any steps to shut down, isolate, or block the hazardous energy within the water, hydraulic, or pneumatic systems of the machine.

Issued

Jun 12, 2024

Abate by

Aug 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,067 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d):The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) did not cover the actions listed in and was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6):  (a) On or about January 11, 2024, employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with moving parts and electrical hazards during servicing and maintenance of the hydraulic powered pump within the Flow Corporation I-4800 Water Table Cutter, S/N: 378046, located in the production area of the facility. The employer failed to implement energy control application steps as LOTO devices were not applied to the electrical disconnect [per the 1910.147(d)(4) requirements]. As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements involving dissipation of residual energy [(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [(d)(6)], were not implemented to protect employees from machine servicing hazards.

Issued

Jun 12, 2024

Abate by

Aug 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,292 · Current $8,000 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) On and before January 11, 2024, the employer did not perform periodic inspections of the energy control procedure at least annually. Employees were exposed to hazards during servicing and maintenance of the Flow International Corporation I-4800 Water Table Cutter, S/N: 378046.

Issued

Jun 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,067 · Current $5,000 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) On or about January 8, 2024, within the toolmaking area, the employer did not ensure that employees using the Yuasa/Takisawa LX-1440, S/N: CAU80007 machine lathe were protected from the rotating parts of the chuck during use.

Issued

Jun 12, 2024

Abate by

Aug 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,680 · Current $7,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.242(b): Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning purposes except where reduced to less than 30 p.s.i. and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment.  (a) On or about January 17, 2024, the CSHO observed employees using air guns in the reworking department and quality control areas for cleaning purposes that were not reduced to below the 105 p.s.i. supplied by the facility's plant air system. Employees were exposed to hazards created by flying chips and debris left by CNC machining processes within molds produced in the facility.  (b) On or about January 17, 2024, the CSHO observed an employee in the Assembly/Disassembly Area of the facility using an air nozzle for cleaning purposes that was not reduced to below the 105 p.s.i supplied by the facility's plaint air system. Employees were exposed to hazards created by contact with flying debris and high-pressure air.

Issued

Jun 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,680 · Current $4,500 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 hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  (a) On or about January 11, 2024, the employer did not provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area, the location of SDSs, or the possible health effects of exposure to chemicals in the facility.