OSHA Inspection: VISCOFAN USA INC.

Issued

Jul 19, 2024

Abate by

Aug 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $9,679 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:  On or about January 25, 2024, an employee on Fibrous Line 9, was exposed to an ingoing nip point from the rotating roller while conducting a servicing task.  The employee was setting up rags on the rollers and the employer did not ensure the lockout procedure was utilized.

Issued

Jul 19, 2024

Abate by

Aug 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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):  On or about January 25, 2024, an employee on Fibrous Line 9, was exposed to an ingoing nip point from the rotating roller while conducting a servicing task.  The employee was setting up rags on the rollers and when employee was caught-in the rollers, resulting in a serious injury.    The employer did not ensure that the energy controls steps were applied in the sequence required by the standard: (1) Preparation for shutdown - know the type and magnitude of the energy, the hazards of the energy to be controlled, and the method or means to control the energy; (2) Machine or equipment shutdown - perform normal and orderly stop and shutdown; (3) Machine or equipment isolation - physically locate and operate energy isolating devices in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source,  (4) Lockout device application - affix lockout devices to each energy isolating device, (5) Stored energy - following the application of lockout devices to energy isolating devices, all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy shall be relieved, disconnected, restrained, and otherwise rendered safe.  (6) Verification of isolation - prior to starting work on machines that have been locked out, verify that isolation and deenergization of the machine or equipment have been accomplished.

Issued

Jul 19, 2024

Abate by

Aug 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $9,679 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:  On or about February 1, 2024, an employee conducting maintenance and servicing on Vissolve Pump #7, was exposed to contact with hazardous Sodium Hydroxide.  The employee was in the process of draining the pump and the employer did not ensure the lockout procedure were utilized.

Issued

Jul 19, 2024

Abate by

Aug 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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):  On or about February 1, 2024, an employee conducting maintenance and servicing on Vissolve Pump #7, was exposed to contact with hazardous Sodium Hydroxide.  The employee was in the process of draining when a line was not de-energized and the employee suffered chemical burns.    The employer did not ensure that the energy controls steps were applied in the sequence required by the standard: (1) Preparation for shutdown - know the type and magnitude of the energy, the hazards of the energy to be controlled, and the method or means to control the energy; (2) Machine or equipment shutdown - perform normal and orderly stop and shutdown; (3) Machine or equipment isolation - physically locate and operate energy isolating devices in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source,  (4) Lockout device application - affix lockout devices to each energy isolating device, (5) Stored energy - following the application of lockout devices to energy isolating devices, all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy shall be relieved, disconnected, restrained, and otherwise rendered safe.  (6) Verification of isolation - prior to starting work on machines that have been locked out, verify that isolation and deenergization of the machine or equipment have been accomplished.

Issued

Jul 19, 2024

Abate by

Aug 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,676 · Current $7,606 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): Procedures did not 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:  29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(A) A specific statement of the intended use of the procedure; 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(B) Specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy; 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(C) Specific procedural steps for the placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices and the responsibility for them; and 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(D) Specific requirements for testing a machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, and other energy control measures:  a) On or about January 25, 2024, the employer did not ensure the Fibrous Line's lockout procedures were clear and specific to adequately de-energize the rollers on Fibrous Line 9. An employee was exposed to an ingoing nip point from the rotating roller while conducting a servicing task.    b) On or about February 1, 2024, the employer did not ensure that the Vissolve lockout procedure was clear and specific to adequately de-energize the Vissolve transfer pump #7. An employee was conducting maintenance and servicing on the pump was exposed to contact with hazardous Sodium Hydroxide.

Issued

Jul 19, 2024

Abate by

Aug 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct an annual or more frequent inspection of the energy control procedure to ensure that the procedure and requirements of this standard were followed:  The employer did not conduct periodic inspection of the lockout procedures to ensure that they were adequate, and that energy control steps were followed prior to starting servicing and maintenance tasks.   a)	On January 25, 2024, an employee was replacing (maintenance/servicing task) wrap/rag on the energized fibrous rollers of the Fibrous Line 9. An employee's hand was exposed to an in-going nip point caught-in hazard of the rotating roller and a moving material resulting in a serious injury.  b)	On February 1, 2024, employees were disassembling (maintenance/servicing task) the Vissolve transfer pump #7 as part of the tank #7 draining and cleaning. An employee was exposed to contact with hazardous Sodium Hydroxide solution resulting in serious injury.

Issued

Jul 19, 2024

Abate by

Aug 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,676 · Current $7,606 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:  On or about February 1, 2024, a maintenance employee was exposed to chemicals burns when working on the Vissolver pump #7, and the employer did not provide the employee with any hazard communication training.  This training would include the following:   Information: a.	The requirements of this section, b.	Any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals were present, and c.	The location and availability of the written hazard communication program, including the required list(s) of hazardous chemicals, and safety data sheets. Training: a.	Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in their work area, b.	The physical and health hazards of the chemicals in their work area, c.	The measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards,  d.	The details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, and  e.	The pictogram labeling requirements in accordance with the standard.

Issued

Jul 19, 2024

Abate by

Aug 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $126,764 · Current $76,058 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Each authorized employee had not 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:  The employer did not ensure that each employee engaged in servicing and maintenance task were trained as lockout authorized employee to safely de-energize machine or equipment prior to starting work.    a)	On January 25, 2024, an employee on Fibrous Line 9, was setting up a rag exposed to an in-going nip point on the roller and was not trained on the recognition of the hazardous energy, type and magnitude of the energy, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.    b)	On February 1, 2024, an employee was draining Vissolve Pump #7, was exposed to contact with hazardous Sodium Hydroxide, and was not trained on the recognition of the hazardous energy, type and magnitude of the energy, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.      VISCOFAN USA, INC. WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD, 29 CFR 1910.147(C)(7)(I)(A), WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER: 1448970, CITATION NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 2 AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON MAY 13, 2020, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 915 N. MICHIGAN AVE., DANVILLE, IL 61834.

Issued

Jul 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,676 · Current $7,606 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.39(a)(2): The employer did not report within 24-hours a work-related incident resulting in in-patient hospitalization, amputation or the loss of an eye:  On or about January 25, 2024, the employer did not report an employee hospitalization within 24-hours, of a work-related incident that resulted in an in-patient hospitalization.