OSHA Inspection: CLOSED LOOP PLASTIC RECYCLING

Issued

Dec 23, 2024

Abate by

Jan 10, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $3,230

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(f)(1):The employer did not provide training to each employee who is required by this section to use personal protective equipment:  a) Closed Loop Plastic Recycling located at 1150 State Street, Fostoria, Ohio, 44830: On or about July 23, 2024, the employer failed to provide training on proper selection, maintenance and usage of personal protective equipment required for employees performing work activities such as, but not limited to, operating equipment and machinery on line 3.  Employees operating line 3 without receiving training on proper selection, maintenance and usage of personal protective equipment were exposed to bodily injuries from hazards such as flying particles, lacerations, and struck by hazards.

Issued

Dec 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $4,034 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(2):The employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces:  a) Closed Loop Plastic Recycling located at: On or about July 23, 2024, the employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or other equally effective means, of the existence and location of the danger posed by permit-required confined spaces.  Employees entering the Grinder on line 4 under conditions that would require its designation as a permit required confined space were exposed to hazards such as, but not limited to, caught in and shear point hazards when performing servicing and maintenance activities.

Issued

Dec 23, 2024

Abate by

Jan 10, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(4):When the employer decided that its employees would enter permit spaces, the employer did not develop and implement a written permit space entry program that complied with 29 CFR 1910.146:  a) Closed Loop Plastic Recycling located at: On or about July 23, 2024, the employer failed to identify and evaluate the hazards of permit spaces before employees entered them, in that the Grinder on line 3 was entered under conditions that would require its designation as a permit-required confined space which exposed employees to hazards such as, but not limited to, caught in and shear point hazards while performing servicing and maintenance tasks.  With respect to the Shredder on line 3, the company's confined space written procedures lacked the development of items such as, but not limited to, the following:  i. Specific measures necessary to prevent unauthorized entry into the Grinder as required by 1910.146(d)(1);  ii. Specific means, procedures, and practices necessary for specifying acceptable condition for entry into the Grinder  as required by 1910.146(d)(3)(i);  iii. Specific means, procedures, and practices necessary for verifying that conditions in the Grinder are acceptable for entry throughout the duration of an authorized entry as required by 1910.146(d)(3)(vi);  iv. Specific designation of the persons who are to have active roles in Grinder entry operations as required by 1910.146(d)(8);  v. Specific procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services to the Grinder, for rescuing entrants from the pit, for providing necessary emergency services to employees rescued from the pit, and for preventing unauthorized personnel from attempting a rescue into the pit as required by 1910.146(d)(9).

Issued

Dec 23, 2024

Abate by

Jan 3, 2025

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(g)(1): The employer did not provide training so that all employees whose work was regulated by 29 CFR 1910.146 (permit required confined spaces) acquired the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned under 29 CFR 1910.146:  a) Closed Loop Plastic Recycling located at 1150 State St. Fostoria, Ohio 44830: On or about July 23, 2024, the employer had not provided machine operators with the necessary permit-required confined space training prior to allowing operators to fully enter the Grinder on line 3 (a permit required confined space) to perform maintenance or servicing activities.  Employees entering the Grinder on Line 3 to perform unjamming, cleaning or belt/knife changing activities inside the Grinder were exposed to caught in and shear point hazards.

Issued

Dec 23, 2024

Abate by

Feb 3, 2025

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $5,646 Reduced

General-duty citation text

1910.147(c)(4)(i) Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:   a) Closed Loop Plastic Recycling located at 1150 State Street, Fostoria, Ohio, 44830:  On or about July 23, 2024, the employer failed to ensure an energy control program consisting of control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections were established to prevent caught in and amputation injuries while performing servicing or maintenance activities such as, but not limited to, unjamming plastic materials out of the equipment on line 3.

Issued

Dec 23, 2024

Abate by

Jan 17, 2025

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $5,646 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(l)(2)(ii):The employer did not ensure that each operator had successfully completed the training consisting of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.  a) Closed Loop Plastic Recycling located at 1150 State Street, Fostoria, Ohio, 44054: On or about July 23, 2024 the employer failed to ensure that each employee tasked with operating powered industrial vehicles such as, but not limited to, the propane fueled Hyundai 25LC-9 were adequately trained through a combination of formal instruction, practical training and evaluation prior to operating the vehicles throughout the facility.  Powered industrial vehicle operators and pedestrians were exposed to potential struck-by and crushing hazards in that employees operated the vehicles without the benefit of training.

Issued

Dec 23, 2024

Abate by

Jan 3, 2025

Penalty

Initial $9,218 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(1):The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE):  a) Closed Loop Plastic Recycling located at 1150 State Street, Fostoria, Ohio, 44830: On or about July 23, 2024, the employer failed to ensure that a hazard assessment identifying and selecting appropriate personal protective equipment was conducted prior to employees performing work activities such as, but not limited to, operating equipment and machinery on line 3.  Employees operating line 3 without an employer assessment were exposed to bodily injuries from hazards such as flying particles, lacerations, and struck by hazards.