OSHA Inspection: VISCOFAN USA, INC.

Issued

Aug 14, 2024

Abate by

Aug 28, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,619 · Current $5,171 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) Production Department (Fibrous - Wetting Area): On or about March 12, 2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to laceration hazards in that adequate machine guarding for the pre-sticking and guide rollers were not provided to employees performing wetting activities for production on the SMOK-E Moisturizer No. 1.

Issued

Aug 14, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,154 · Current $1,292 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.41(a)(1)(i):The establishment had 20 or more employees but fewer than 250 employees at any time during the previous calendar year, and the establishment was classified in an industry listed in appendix A to subpart E of this part, and the employer did not electronically submit information from OSHA Form 300A Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses to OSHA or OSHA's designee by the specified date:  (a) Viscofan USA, Inc., 50 County Ct, Montgomery, AL: On or about March 2, 2024, the employer failed to electronically submit information from their OSHA Form 300A, Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses or equivalent form, for calendar year 2023 on or before March 2, 2024.  The establishment employed 140 employees during calendar year 2023 and was classified under NAICS code 326121 .

Issued

Aug 14, 2024

Abate by

Sep 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(g)(2): Exit access(es) were not at least 28 inches (71.1 cm) wide at all points.  a) Production Department (Collagen Area): On or about March 12, 2024, and times prior, the employer failed to maintain exit access routes of at least twenty-eight (28) inches in between the Collagen Machines while employees are cleaning, sweeping and maintenance activities.

Issued

Aug 14, 2024

Abate by

Aug 26, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  a) Quality Control Department (Laboratory): On or about March 12, 2024, and times prior, the employer failed to mount and make readily accessible a portable fire extinguisher in the work area for employees during fire emergency events.  b) Warehouse Department (Wrapping Area): On or about March 12, 2024, and times prior, the employer failed to mount and make readily accessible a portable fire extinguisher in the work area for employees during fire emergency events.

Issued

Aug 14, 2024

Abate by

Sep 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(a)(6): The employer did not ensure that all nameplates and markings were in place.  a) Warehouse Department: (Forklift Operations): On or about March 12, 2024, and at times prior; the employer allowed his employees to operate a Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift that was missing the markings on the shift control lever to indicate the use and purpose for the lever.

Issued

Aug 14, 2024

Abate by

Aug 26, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4): Grinding machinery was not used with work rest(s) to support offhand grinding work:  a) Maintenance Department (Bench Grinder Area): On or about March 12, 2024, and at times prior; work rests were not provided to employees while performing grinding activities on a DeWalt 8" Bench Grinder.

Issued

Aug 14, 2024

Abate by

Aug 26, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.215(b)(9): Guard for abrasive wheel machine where the operator stands in front of the machine was not constructed so that the peripheral protecting member could be adjusted to the constantly decreasing diameter of the wheel:   a) Maintenance Department (Bench Grinder Area): On or about March 12, 2024, and at times prior; employees were performing grinding/buffing activities on a DeWalt 8" Bench Grinder that did not have an adjustable guard.

Issued

Aug 14, 2024

Abate by

Aug 26, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(i)(B): For electric equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, and likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized, the width of the working space in front of electrical equipment was less than the width of the equipment or 762 mm (30 inches), whichever was greater:  a) Production Department (Air Compressor Area): On or about March 12, 2024, and times prior, the employer failed to provide a clear and unobstructed path of at least 762 mm (30 inches) in front of an electrical panel breaker box for employees use during service and maintenance activities.  b) Production Department (Collagen Area): On or about March 12, 2024, and times prior, the employer failed to provide a clear and unobstructed path of at least 762 mm (30 inches) in between the Collagen Machines back electrical panels for employees use during service, maintenance and cleaning activities.  c) Warehouse Department: Tornado Shelter Area (Yellow Rails): On or about March 12, 2024, and times prior, the employer failed to provide a clear and and sufficient access in front of an electrical panel breaker box for employees use during service and maintenance activities.

Issued

Aug 14, 2024

Abate by

Aug 26, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:  a) Quality Control Department (Laboratory): On or about March 12, 2024, and times prior, the employer failed to effectively close unused knockout hole(s) and opening(s) in a Homeline LOAD CENTER HOM6-12L100 electronic breaker box.

Issued

Aug 14, 2024

Abate by

Sep 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(j)(4)(v): The disconnecting means was not readily accessible:    a) Warehouse Department: Loading Docks (Elevated Safety Switches): On or about March 12, 2024, and times prior, the employer required employees to use safety switches that were installed approximately 9 feet above the floor and not easily accessible during service and maintenance activities.  b) Warehouse Department: Forklift Charging Area (Elevated Safety Switches):  On or about March 12, 2024, and times prior, the employer required employees to use safety switches that were installed approximately 9 feet above the floor and not easily accessible during service and maintenance activities.

Issued

Aug 14, 2024

Abate by

Aug 26, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(f)(6)(ii):  Except as provided in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(7) and 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(8), the employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, would provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical   Production Department (Fibrous - Wetting Area): On or about March 12, 2024, and at times prior, the employer failed to ensure that the labels for the mineral oil, waste oil, and cleaning solution containers contained the general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals for employees performing wetting activities on the SMOK-E Moisturizer No. 1 machine.