OSHA Inspection: METAL FINISHING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

Issued

Oct 17, 2024

Abate by

Jun 5, 2025

Penalty

Initial $5,445 · Current $2,723 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(l) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: 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, including severe burns, to employees in that employees were exposed to dust explosion, deflagration, or other fire hazards from improperly designed and installed dust collection systems:  Bead Blast Room, Line 45A: On, or about, May 30, 2024, employees were exposed to fire hazards, or explosion hazards, or both because the combustible and explosive plastic dust generated by abrasive blasting operation in the Media Blast & Abrasive, Inc. abrasive blasting cabinet traveled through a dust collection system which did not have protective measures to detect, suppress, contain and isolate any combustible dust fires, or explosions, or both, that were at risk of occurring in or entering the work area. Note: The dust collection system included ducts and the air material separator provided on the machine.

Issued

Oct 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,702 · Current $1,851 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 in that employees were exposed to rotating parts of machinery:    Outside Maintenance Shop: On, or about, May 23, 2024, a positive pressure foot switch had not been provided on the Ridgid pipe threading machine in accordance with industry practice.

Issued

Oct 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,776 · Current $1,388 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.101(b):  The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, rail tankcars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks were not in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in CFR 1910.6:  Ref. 3.3.1, Ref. 2006 CGA P-1 5.7.4.  On, or about, May 23, 2024, in the following locations, compressed gas cylinders were not secured while in storage:   A.	 Maintenance Shop:  1.	An acetylene cylinder with a torch attached was stored under a workbench. 2.	A Tri gas cylinder was stored next to the MIG welder.  B.	Cylinder Storage Area:  Cylinders of acetylene, oxygen and argon were observed unsecured in the storage rack area.

Issued

Oct 17, 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 (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one half of an hour:  Maintenance Shop, Cylinder Storage Area:  On, or about, May 23, 2024, an acetylene cylinder was stored with several oxygen cylinders.

Issued

Oct 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,702 · Current $1,851 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(1):  Machine guarding was not provided to protect operator(s) and other employees from hazard(s) created by rotating parts:  Waste Water Treatment:  On, or about, May 23, 2024, the rotating shaft on a Neptune agitator used at the Defoaming tank was not protected against accidental contact.

Issued

Oct 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,776 · Current $1,388 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(2):  Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:  MRO Inspection Table:  Two relocatable power taps were used in series and energized through an extension cord which was not in accordance with the use of relocatable power taps in the UL Whitebook.

Issued

Oct 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(j)(2)(i): No receptacles may be installed so as to require an energized attachment plug as its source of supply:  Line 43, Masking Inspection Table:  On, or about May 23, 2024, a quad receptacle mounted on the side of the workstation that was used to energize light fixtures was powered through a cord and plug connection.

Issued

Oct 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,266 · Current $1,633 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(7)(i):  Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings were not effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment:  On, or about, May 23, 2024, in the following locations, openings were left in electrical enclosures:  A.	Tool Stripping Back Hallway:    1.Raceway mounted above bank of panels. 2.General Electric panelboard labeled "Hobart 1", at positions 3 and 5.  B.	Waste Water Treatment Area:  General Electric panelboard labeled "WT 1" at position 8.

Issued

Oct 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,776 · Current $1,388 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(1)(i)(A):  For electric equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, and likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized, the depth of the working space in the direction of access to live parts (as measured from the live parts where they were exposed or from the enclosure front or opening where they were enclosed) was less than indicated in Table S-1 of Subpart S of Part 1910:  Shipping:  On, or about, May 23, 2023, railings had been installed in the working space for an Eaton panelboard that provided circuits for general wiring and lighting.

Issued

Oct 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(1)(ii):  The required working space about electric equipment rated 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, was used for storage:  A.	Maintenance Shop:  On, or about, May 23, 2024, a yellow barrel and tool cases were stored in front of the General Electric Spectra Series distribution panel.  B.	Maintenance Shop:  On, or about, May 23, 2024, the compressed gas cylinder storage area had been located in the working area in front of the bank of wall mounted electrical panels and related equipment.

Issued

Oct 17, 2024

Abate by

Dec 5, 2024

Penalty

Initial $5,445 · Current $2,723 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:  Company:  On, or about, May 23, 2024, maintenance personnel had not been trained regarding what work practices and protective equipment was required to protect them against electric shock, arc flash and arc blast hazards while performing diagnostic testing and verifying whether or not electrical equipment was properly de-energized.

Issued

Oct 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.335(a)(1)(i):  Employees working in areas where there were potential electrical hazards were not provided with electrical protective equipment that was appropriate for the specific parts of the body that needed to be protected and for the work being performed:  Company:  On, or about, May 23, 2024, personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, voltage rated gloves, fire resistive clothing, face shields, balaclavas, hard hats and hearing protection were not provided to employees who performed live electrical work such as diagnostic testing or who verified that electrical equipment was properly de-energized.

Issued

Oct 17, 2024

Abate by

Dec 5, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(6)(i):  The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed:  Facility:  On, or about, July 10, 2024, lockout procedures provided for machinery and equipment in the plant had not been reviewed in the previous twelve months.

Issued

Oct 17, 2024

Abate by

Dec 5, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(a)(4):  Modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operation of powered industrial truck were performed by the employer without the manufacturer's prior written approval.  Capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags or decals of the powered industrial truck were not changed accordingly:  Facility:  On, or about, May 23, 2024, a Dayton DrumGrab drum lifter was used to move barrels in the plant.  The drum lifter was not listed on the identification plate of Hyster forklift serial number A935N034955.  The drum lifter reduced the capacity of the forklift by approximately 47%.

Issued

Oct 17, 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:  Maintenance Shop:  On, or about, May 23, 2024, the Central Machinery bench mounted grinder was not provided with a tongue guard on the right side.

Issued

Oct 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(7)(iv):  There existed damaged parts that could have adversely affected the safe operation or mechanical strength of electrical equipment, such as parts that are broken, bent, cut, or deteriorated by corrosion, chemical action, or overheating:  Walk-in Abrasive Blast Room:  On, or about, May 23, 2024, a wall outlet was not securely attached inside of the wall.  The box moved when a user attempted to insert or remove a plug.

Issued

Oct 17, 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:  Maintenance Shop:  On, or about, May 23, 2024, the power cord was pulled from its plug fitting on the Lotos plasma cutter.