OSHA Inspection: MODERN PLATING CORPORATION

Issued

Sep 13, 2024

Abate by

Oct 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,334 · Current $5,170 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i): Except as provided elsewhere in this section, the employer must ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by one or more of the items listed in 1910.28(b)(1)(i)(A)-(C).    On or about May 30, 2024, the employer did not ensure maintenance employees accessing equipment such as cranes, hoists, and motors over the plating/dip tank lines were provided with fall protection preventing them from falling more than 4' to grade or from falling into one of the tanks filled with hazardous chemicals. Maintenance employees utilize a platform made in-house to span across open dip tanks to gain access to equipment. The platform has no guard rail and there is no fall protection system in place. Employees are exposed to a fall of greater than 4' to grade or into one of the dip tanks which could result in injuries such as broken bones and head injuries or chemical burns and chemical ingestion, resulting in life altering disabilities or death.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Sep 13, 2024

Abate by

Oct 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $13,066 · Current $7,245 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(i): Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment.   On or about May 30, 2024, the employer did not ensure affected maintenance employees were provided the required electrical protective equipment for working on or around energized electrical conductors or circuit parts in excess of 240V. Employees are exposed to electrical shock related injuries that could result in severe burns, organ/tissue damage, or death.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Sep 13, 2024

Abate by

Oct 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i): Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards shall be provided with, and shall use, electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed.   On or about May 30, 2024, the employer did not ensure maintenance employees working on or around energized electrical conductors or circuit parts in excess of 240V were provided with and/or utilized electrical protective equipment appropriate for the work being performed. Employees are exposed to electrical shock related injuries that could result in severe burns, organ/tissue damage, or death.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Sep 13, 2024

Abate by

Jan 31, 2025

Penalty

Initial $9,334 · Current $5,170 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be 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. Examples of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc.  On or about April 24, 2024, the employer did not ensure machine guarding methods were provided or in place for various locations throughout the plating lines. Dip tanks have individual motors and gears that rotate the drums as they are placed into the tank by the overhead crane and several gears were observed with no guarding. Employees are exposed to point of operation hazards with could result in injuries such as broken bones, burns, crushing injuries, amputations, or death.   The following instances were identified:  (a) Unguarded gears observed on Line 2. (b) Unguarded gears observed on Line 3. (c) Unguarded gears observed on Line 4. (d) Unguarded gears observed on Line 5- Station 15 gear (e) Unguarded gears observed on the Tri Black Line. (f) Unguarded gears observed on the Strip Line 9.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Sep 13, 2024

Abate by

Dec 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $13,066 · Current $7,245 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1): Examination. Electric equipment shall be free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.   On or about April 24, 2024, the employer did not ensure that electrical equipment was free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. The following instances were observed:  (a) Damaged electrical conduit/components on Line 5 near the control labeled "RINSE BLK-ST #3&4."  (b) Gear motors on Line 5 near Station 10 and Station 11 have damage to the exterior cable jacket insulation just before the connection to the motor exposing the individual conductor wires. The only protection was the individual wire insulation. (c) Gear motor on Line 5 near Station 29 and Station 30 has damage to the exterior cable jacket insulation just before the connection to the motor exposing the individual conductor wires. The only protection was the individual wire insulation.  (d) Damaged receptacle that appears to have burn marks. Secured to a pole painted yellow next to a control board labeled "PART B NIR 15."  (e) Damaged exterior jacket with exposed electrical conductors due to damaged insulation on a power supply chord. Near ADL Station 15.  (f) ALK #2 Zinc/Nickel Hoist 34 power supply like with the exterior jacket stripped back and not connected properly to the fitting.  (g) Power supply not properly connected to the electrical box of the motor near Station 4 Chromate Rinse. (h) Power supply from panel to a pump station near the ALK #2 Zinc/Nickel Line with exposed conductors, not secured in conduit.  (i) Power supply to motor at Station 16 on the ALK #2 Zinc/Nickel Line not secured to the box with conductors exposed.  (j) Operator Control Panel at the Tin Zinc Line with missing covers on buttons labeled "BARRELL DRIVE" and "DRIVES ON" exposing internal electrical components.  (k) Operator Control Panel at the Tin Zinc Line with an electrical receptable that is corroded and the potential for overheating and/or overloading with the use of a multi-plug adapter.  (l) Exposed electrical conductors coming out of a metal tray located at the Tin Zing Line. (m) Exposed electrical conductors on the festoon cables not properly connected to the electrical box on the crane at the Tri Black Line 8  (n) No strain relief on the power supply to the ICON TIME SYSTEMS posted at the Zinc Line 3.  (o) Exposed electrical conductors on the festoon cables not properly connected to the electrical box on the crane at the Zinc Line 3.  (p) Exposed electrical conductors coming out of a cable tray labeled 115 V on the Zinc Line 3.  (q) Exposed electrical conductors coming out of conduit with exterior jacket removed on the Zinc Line 3 near Station 7.  (r) Exposed electrical conductors coming out of power supply box on an exchanger at the Zine Line 3.  (s) Exposed electrical contactor on barrel/drum mixer 22 on Line 10 due to the lid being lifted and not secured.  (t) Internal electrical components exposed to corrosion on a Lifeline 3 safety switch on Line 10 due to cover being removed.  (u) Exposed electrical conductors, conduit not secured to electrical box on Line 4 next to the 480V MIX STARTER PANEL.  (v) Extreme corrosion on the electrical cabinet and electrical components on the Line 4 crane.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Sep 13, 2024

Abate by

Dec 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(e)(1): Cabinets, cutout boxes, fittings, boxes, and panelboard enclosures. Cabinets, cutout boxes, fittings, boxes, and panelboard enclosures in damp or wet locations shall be installed so as to prevent moisture or water from entering and accumulating within the enclosures and shall be mounted so there is at least 6.35-mm (0.25-in.) airspace between the enclosure and the wall or other supporting surface. However, nonmetallic enclosures may be installed without the airspace on a concrete, masonry, tile, or similar surface. The enclosures shall be weatherproof in wet locations.  On or about April 24, 2024, the employer did not ensure that electrical enclosures containing receptacles mounted along various plating/dip lines were installed to prevent moisture from entering or accumulating within the enclosure. The enclosures were not weatherproof. Employees are exposed to electrical shock related injuries and fire hazards which could result in severe burns, organ/tissue damage, or death.  The following instances were observed:  (a) A single receptacle box located at the end of Line 5 over the grating on a metal post.  (b) A dual receptable 4-square box located on Line 5 over the grating secured to a post labeled METEX 754LLC  (c) A 240V receptacle located on Line 5 secured to a post with a digital meter labeled 110-130F  (d) A single receptable on Line 5 near Station 28 was observed to be missing the cover for the enclosure and to have burn marks on the face of the receptacle.  (e) Four receptacles located on Line 7 utilized to pump liquids from barrels missing the cover for the enclosures.  (f) Two receptables on ALK #2 Zinc/Nickel Line. One is missing the cover for the enclosure, and one does not have a weatherproof enclosure installed at all.  (g) There is a four-square box with two receptables on the ALK #2 Zinc/Nickel Line installed to provide power to pumps, that is not a weatherproof enclosure.  (h) There are two 240V receptables installed between electrical disconnects labeled "FILTER DISCONNECT" and "HEAT EXCHANGER DISCONNECT" on the Tin Zinc Line. These are not installed in weatherproof enclosures and show signs of corrosion.  (i) There are two four-square boxes with two receptables each located near the Tin Zinc Line just below the "FINAL RINSE TEMP CONTROL" that are not installed in weatherproof enclosures.  (j) There is a four-square box installed at the Tri Black Zinc Line to supply power to four pumps that is not installed in a weatherproof enclosure.  (k) There is a four-square box and a single receptable installed at the Zinc Line 3 near Station 25 not installed in weatherproof enclosures.  (l) There is a single receptable installed at the Zinc Line 3 missing the cover for the enclosure with evidence of corrosion.  (m) There are two single receptables installed at the Zinc Line 3 on a board labeled "HYPRO BLUE FEEDER PUMP" missing the cover for the enclosures.  (n) There is a single receptable installed on a column at Line 10 that is not installed in a weatherproof enclosure.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Sep 13, 2024

Abate by

Dec 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,334 · Current $5,170 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(i): Flexible cords and cables shall be approved for conditions of use and location.  On or about April 24, 2024, the employer did not ensure that flexible cords and cables used to supply power to motors/pumps were approved for the conditions of use and locations in various locations throughout the plating/dip lines. Flexible cords are being used as permanent power exposing employees to electrical shock related injuries or the inability to effectively e-stop the Vibe Table Conveyor which could result in amputation related injuries.  The following instances were observed: (a) Line 5 flexible cord supplying power from the Chiller Pump control panel to a permanently installed pump.  (b) ALK #2 Zinc/Nickel flexible cord supplying power from the CHILLER control panel to a permanently installed pump.  (c) ALK #2 Zinc/Nickel flexible cord supplying power from the FILTER control panel to a permanently installed pump.  (d) Flexible cord supplying power to the e-stop for the Vibe Table Conveyor and Oven.  (e) Flexible cord running through a four-square box just below a disconnect labeled "TBL SPINNER HOIST," with a 3-prong plug end attached.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Sep 13, 2024

Abate by

Dec 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Installation and use. Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling.  On or about April 24, 2024, the employer did not ensure that extension cords were used in accordance with the instructions included in the listing or labeling, exposing employees to electrical shock hazards. The following instances were observed:  (a) Line 5 near Station 28 a power strip was observed plugged into a single receptacle, unsupported, supplying power to a controller labeled 7A12 for PART B and NIR15. (b) ADL 7 near Station 6 a power strip was observed plugged into a single receptacle, unsupported, with a cord plugged in.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).