OSHA Inspection: ROWSE HYDRAULIC RAKES COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Jul 23, 2024

Abate by

Aug 16, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,680 · Current $5,808 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees:   Employees engaged in material handling operations located at 84504 North State Highway 11, Burwell, Nebraska 68823, were exposed to struck-by/crushing hazards in the event of a forklift tip-over and ejection from the operators seat. This was most recently documented on or about April 10th, 2024, specifically in the "old shop" located in the facility.  AMONG OTHER METHODS, FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHODS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:   1. Ensure employees wear seatbelts properly as indicated by operator's manual in addition,  ASME B56.1-1993, Part III, Section 7.39 (a) states " "Counterbalanced, center control, high lift trucks that have a sit-down, non-elevating operator position shall have a restraint device, system, or enclosure that is intended to assist the operator in reducing the risk of entrapment of the operator's head and/or torso between the truck and ground in the event of a tip-over."  2. Create a written work rule or company policy requiring employees to use the forklifts seatbelt when operating and train all forklift operators on said work rule.  3. Conduct random safety audits by a member of management to ensure compliance with material handling equipment. 4. Develop, implement, and communicate to employees a progressive disciplinary action program and procedures to ensuring employees follow safety protocols such as wearing a seat belt while operating these vehicles.

Issued

Jul 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,453 · Current $3,872 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(11)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each flight of stairs having at least 3 treads and at least 4 risers is equipped with stair rail systems and handrails as described in 29 CFR 1910.28 Table D-2-Stairway Handrail Requirements.  Employees engaged in manufacturing operations located at 84504 North State Highway 11, Burwell, Nebraska 68823 were exposed to fall hazards in that employees were using stairwell system in the assembly area that did not have a mid-rail installed on the stairwell. This was most recently documented on or about April 10th, 2024.

Issued

Jul 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,292 · Current $6,775 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.101(b):"Compressed gases." The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, rail tankcars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks shall be in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6.  Employees engaged in manufacturing and welding operations located at 84504 North State Highway 11, Burwell, Nebraska 68823, were exposed to fire, struck-by and explosion hazards in that unsecured acetylene and oxygen cylinders were stored together outside the big shed on the Southwest Corner. The acetylene cylinders were not secured from accidental tip over. This was most recently documented on or about April 10th, 2024.

Issued

Jul 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.253(b)(4)(iii):Oxygen cylinders in storage were not separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet:  Employees engaged in manufacturing and welding operations located at 84504 North State Highway 11, Burwell, Nebraska 68823, were exposed to fire, struck-by and explosion hazards in that unsecured acetylene and oxygen cylinders were being stored together without at least 20ft of clearance. This was most recently documented on or about April 10th, 2024, on the Southwest corner of the big shed.

Issued

Jul 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,680 · Current $5,808 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(a)(4):Modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operation shall not be performed by the customer or user without manufacturers prior written approval. Capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals shall be changed accordingly.  Employees engaged in material handling operations located at 84504 North State Highway 11, Burwell, Nebraska 68823 were exposed to struck-by hazards in that employees were using forklifts that had holes drilled in the ends of the forks as means of moving  rakes and other miscellaneous material throughout the facility. The employer failed to confirm through manufacturers approval the modification did not alter or affect the forklifts lifting capacity  prior to use. This was most recently documented on or about April 10th, 2024.

Issued

Jul 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,680 · Current $5,808 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(l)(1)(i):The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l):  Employees engaged in material handling operations located at 84504 North State Highway 11, Burwell, Nebraska 68823, were exposed to struck-by hazards in that employees were operating forklifts without successfully completing the training requirements specified in the standard.  This was most recently documented on or about April 10th, 2024.  Instances of failure include but are not limited to:  i.	Employees did not receive formal instruction. ii.	Employees did not receive practical training. iii.	Employees did not receive an adequate hands on performance evaluation.

Issued

Jul 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,680 · Current $5,808 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:  Employees engaged in manufacturing operations located at 84504 North State Highway 11, Burwell, Nebraska 68823, were exposed to laceration, caught-in and amputation hazards in that employees were observed using unguarded stationary pedestal drill press machines to punch various hole into metal. This was most recently documented on or about April 10th, 2024. Instances of failures include but are not limited to:   1.) One unguarded Ellis drill press in the Maintenance shop.  2.) Two unguarded drill presses in the old shop. 3.) Unguarded Sharp mechanical dill presses in the old shop. 4.) One unguarded IBARMIA A-40 drill press in the old shop.

Issued

Jul 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,067 · Current $4,840 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(3)(ii):The point of operation of machines whose operation exposes an employee to injury, shall be guarded. The guarding device shall be in conformity with any appropriate standards therefor, or, in the absence of applicable specific standards, shall be so designed and constructed as to prevent the operator from having any part of his body in the danger zone during the operating cycle.  Employees engaged in manufacturing operations located at 84504 North State Highway 11, Burwell, Nebraska 68823 were exposed to amputation hazards in that the Scotchman power press did not have adequate guarding that would prevent inadvertent contact with the press during normal operations. This was most recently documented in the old shop on April 10th, 2024.

Issued

Jul 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,453 · Current $3,872 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.215(a)(4): Work rest(s) on grinding machinery were not adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one eighth inch:  Employees engaged in grinding operations located at 84504 North State Highway 11, Burwell, Nebraska 68823 were exposed to struck-by hazards in that employees were using a JET bench grinder located in the assembly area and the work rest was not adjusted within 1/8inch. This was most recently documented on or about April 10th, 2024.

Issued

Jul 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.215(b)(9):The distance between the abrasive wheel periphery(s) and the adjustable tongue or the end of the safety guard peripheral member at the top exceeded one fourth inch:  Employee engaged in grinding operations located at 84504 North State Highway 11, Burwell, Nebraska 68823 were exposed to struck-by hazards in that employees were using bench grinders and the space between the wheel and adjustable tongue exceeded 1/4 of an inch.  This was most recently documented on or about April 10th, 2024.  Instances of failures include but are not limited to:   1.) JET bench grinder in the assembly area.  2.) Unmarked bench grinder located in the old shop near the plasma cutter.

Issued

Jul 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,453 · Current $3,872 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.242(b):Compressed air used for cleaning. 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.  Employees engaged in cleaning operations located at 84504 North State Highway 11, Burwell, Nebraska 68823, were exposed to infusion hazards in that employees were using compressed air to clean off machines.  The compressed air  attachment in question,  was blowing 50 PSI of air pressure and was located in the old shop next to the TRM 20 machine.  This was most recently documented on or about April 10th, 2024.

Issued

Jul 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,839 · Current $2,903 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(b)(2)(i):Pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers approved for the purpose:  Employees engaged in manufacturing operations located at 84504 North State Highway 11, Burwell, Nebraska 68823 were exposed to electrical hazards in that employees were turning the lights on/off, before and after their work shift, on a switch that had a damaged face plate and was exposing energized components of 120 volts. The light switch in question was mounted on the wall next to the TRM 20 machine. This was most recently documented on or about April 10th, 2024.

Issued

Jul 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,839 · Current $2,903 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A):As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure;  Employees engaged in manufacturing operations located at 84504 North State Highway 11, Burwell, Nebraska 68823, were exposed to electrical and fire hazards in that an extension cord was plugged into a horizontal press located in the maintenance shop for a period that exceeded 90 days.  This was most recently documented on or about April 10th, 2024.

Issued

Jul 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,067 · Current $4,840 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.334(a)(2)(i):Portable cord and plug connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) were not visually inspected before use on any shift for external defects (such as loose parts, deformed and missing pins, or damage to outer jacket or insulation) and for evidence of possible internal damage (such as pinched or crushed outer jacket):  Employees engaged in welding operations located at 84504 North State Highway 11, Burwell, Nebraska 68823, specifically in the old shop, were exposed to fire and electrical hazards in that the employer was not inspecting electrical flexible cords that were being used by employees.  The upper part of a flexible cord  near the male end of the cord on the plasma cutter had sheathing that was pulling away from the plug and was exposing energized 230 volts.    This was most recently documented on or about April 10th, 2024.