OSHA Inspection: RUF US, INC.

Issued

May 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,457 · Current $1,728 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. RUF US, Inc. - Elyria, Ohio: On or about February 8, 2024, the employer did not ensure that the mix auger and paddles of the RUF Briquetting sludge machine (No. 11833; RUF 4/2300/60S) were guarded to protect employees from caught-in and ampuation injury.   No additional abatement information is needed for this item.

Issued

May 23, 2024

Abate by

Jun 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,457 · Current $1,728 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(1): Electrical equipment was not free from recognized hazards that were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees:  a. RUF US, Inc. - Elyria, Ohio: On or about February 1, 2024, the employer did not ensure that employees were protected from electrical hazards in that temporary wiring, used to power the RUF Briquette machine (Type RUF4/1600/80; No. 11179) exposed employees to electrical hazards.  The 480-volt temporary power cord was not safely arranged in that it was run out of the control cabinet door and was not safeguarded from accidental contact/arcing.  Employees were exposed to electrocution, electrical shock, and arc flash/blast hazards.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

May 23, 2024

Abate by

Aug 1, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,457 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A):Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:  a. RUF US, Inc. - Elyria, Ohio: On or about April 30, 2024, flexible cords and cables were used as a substitute for fixed wiring to power the RUF Briquetting biomass machine (RUF 1100; No. 1877). Employees were exposed to electrical hazards in that the flexible cords were not permanently arranged.  b. RUF US, Inc. - Elyria, Ohio: On or about April 26, 2024, flexible cords and cables were used as a substitute for fixed wiring to power the C.F. Nielsen BP6510 briquetting machine. Employees were exposed to electrical hazards in that the flexible cords were not permanently arranged.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

May 23, 2024

Abate by

Aug 1, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords were not connected to devices and fittings so that tension would not be transmitted to joints or terminal screws:   a. RUF US, Inc. - Elyria, Ohio: On or about April 30, 2024, the employer did not ensure that the flexible cord at the electrical distribution sub panel to the RUF Briquetting biomass machine (RUF 1100; No. 1877) was connected to fittings that prevented strain relief. The flexible power cord lacked fittings at the distribution sub panel located on the wall near the biomass briquetting machine and on the machine's control panel.  Employees that operated the equipment were exposed to electrical shock injury.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

May 23, 2024

Abate by

Aug 1, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,457 · Current $1,728 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.332(b)(1):Employees were not trained in and familiar with the safety-related work practices required by 1910.331 through 1910.335 that pertained to their respective job assignments:  a. RUF US, Inc. - Elyria, Ohio: On or about February 1, 2024, the employer did not ensure that employees who are exposed to electrical hazards when installing electrical wiring and components were trained in electrical safety-related work practices as required by 1910.331-1910.335.  Employees performing work on or near circuits of briquetting machines such as, but not limited to, the 480-volt RUF Briquette machine (Type RUF4/1600/80; No. 11179) which were, or may have been energized, were not trained in the skills necessary to distinguish live parts from other parts of electrical equipment, arc flash hazards, and protective equipment to protect against electrical hazards.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

May 23, 2024

Abate by

Aug 1, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,457 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.333(a)(1): Live parts to which an employee may be exposed were not deenergized before the employee worked on or was near to them:  a. RUF US, Inc. - Elyria, Ohio: On or about February 1, 2024, employee(s) were exposed to electrical hazards in that the electrical power for the RUF Briquette machine (Type RUF4/1600/80; No. 11179) was not deenergized before employees accessed the machine's control panel.  Employees were exposed electrical shock and arc flash/blast hazards while working on or near live parts in the 480V electrical control panel.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.