OSHA Inspection: ATCHISON TUBULAR MANUFACTURING

Issued

Nov 19, 2024

Abate by

Feb 14, 2025

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $14,518 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 struck-by and caught-between hazards:  The employer exposed employees to the recognized struck-by and caught-between hazards created by 2600-pound pipes rolling out of the Trimmer Building toward the end of the Out Rack when the employees were allowed to exit the South emergency exit of the Trimmer Building adjacent to the Out Rack to take smoke breaks. Employees were not prohibited from nearing the Out Rack area. On the afternoon of June 10, 2024, an employee exited the south emergency exit and approached the Out Rack to add a stencil to a pipe that had not been stenciled when it was motionless at his workstation in the Trimmer Building. There was no policy requiring employees to stay out of the Out Rack area and no physical guarding to prevent exposure to the struck-by and caught-between pipe hazards. There were no rules or policies for non-routine tasks at the Out Rack.  Among other reasonable and acceptable abatement methods, an enclosure can be installed to prevent employee access to the Out Rack and its related struck-by and caught-between hazards. Work rules and procedures for non-routine tasks near the Out Rack can be created, shared with employees, and enforced.