OSHA Inspection: MINERALLAC COMPANY

Issued

Sep 6, 2024

Abate by

Oct 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): The procedures shall clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, the following: (A) A specific statement of the intended use of the procedure; (B) Specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy; (C) Specific procedural steps for the placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices or tagout devices and the responsibility for them; and (D) Specific requirements for testing a machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy control measures.  On or about May 31, 2024, the employer did not have lockout/tagout procedures available that clearly and specifically outlined the scope, purpose, authorization, and rules. The procedures do not have a specific statement of intended use, nor do they state specific requirements for testing a machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy control measures. Employees performing service and maintenance tasks such as removing stuck lids, stuck jars, or jammed parts do not have a clear understanding of lockout/tagout or the intended use of the procedures. Employees were exposed to pinch and nip point hazards of equipment in operation which could result in caught-in, crushing and amputation injuries.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Sep 6, 2024

Abate by

Oct 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): The established procedures for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1) through (d)(6).  On or about May 7, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that employees implemented energy control application steps prior to allowing them to perform service and maintenance tasks on Machine 60, such as unjamming screws/bolts, jar, jar lids, and labels. Machine 60 was not shut down or turned off prior to employees engaging in this servicing and maintenance activity, exposing them to pinch/nip point hazards and amputation injuries.   As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements, involving machine isolation [1910.147(d)(3)], lockout/tagout device application [1910.147(d)(4)], dissipation of residual energy [1910.147(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [1910.147(d)(6)] were not implemented to protect employees from machine hazards.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).