OSHA Inspection: BLOUIN STEEL FABRICATORS, INC.

Issued

2024-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-10-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4839.00 · Current $2420.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8330

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 not protected from the hazard of high heat while performing job duties.  Location: Blouin Steel Fabricators, Inc.  Northfield, NH  On or about, and at times prior to, June 20, 2024, employees were exposed to the hazard of high heat from high ambient temperatures and working in the direct sun on pavement without shade.  The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for most of New Hampshire, which included Northfield, for June 18, 19, and 20, 2024.  Reconstruction of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) for June 20, 2024, showed employees were exposed to WBGT (outside) of 33�C (91�F) and Heat Index of 39�C (102�F) while engaged in moderate exertion activities including painting of parts located on the pavement.  Such exposures are likely to cause heat related illnesses including heat stress, heat cramps, heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke which could results in hospitalization or death.  During the time of the heat advisory, symptoms such as lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and dry heaving were experienced.

Issued

2024-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-10-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3457.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.36(d)(1):Employee(s) were not able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge:  On or about July 8, 2024 in Northfield, NH. An emergency exit within the shop was not able to be opened without special knowledge.

Issued

2024-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-10-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4839.00 · Current $2420.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(l)(6): Certification. The employer shall certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by this paragraph (l). The certification shall include the name of the operator, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation.  On or about July 8, 2024 in Northfield, NH.  The employer did not ensure that employees operating the powered industrial trucks were certified prior to use.

Issued

2024-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-10-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4839.00 · Current $2420.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(q)(7):Industrial trucks shall be examined before being placed in service, and shall not be placed in service if the examination shows any condition adversely affecting the safety of the vehicle. Such examination shall be made at least daily. Where industrial trucks are used on a round-the-clock basis, they shall be examined after each shift. Defects when found shall be immediately reported and corrected.  On or about July 8, 2024 in Northfield, NH.  The forklifts were not inspected daily prior to use.

Issued

2024-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-11-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2765.00 · Current $0.00 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:  On or about July 8, 2024 in Northfield, NH.  Machine guards were not affixed to the drill press protecting employees from rotating parts.

Issued

2024-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-11-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3457.00 · Current $1729.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.215(a)(1):Abrasive wheel(s) used on grinding machinery were not used with safety guards.  On or about July 8, 2024 in Northfield, NH. The abrasive wheels on the handheld grinders were not equipped with safety guards.

Issued

2024-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-10-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3457.00 · Current $1728.00 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:  On or about July 8, 2024 in Northfield, NH.  The work rest of the bench grinder had a gap of greater than one eighth inch.

Issued

2024-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-10-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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.  On or about July 8, 2024 in Northfield, NH.  The tongue of the bench grinder had more than a quarter inch gap.

Issued

2024-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-10-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3457.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(C)(4)(ii): Each receptacle and attachment cap or plug shall be tested for correct attachment of the equipment grounding conductor. The equipment grounding conductor shall be connected to its proper terminal;  On or about July 8, 2024 in Northfield, NH.  Two angle grinders had the plugs replaced and did not have the necessary test done to render the equipment safe prior to use.