OSHA Inspection: METEOR SEALING SYSTEMS, LLC

Issued

Dec 19, 2024

Abate by

Feb 26, 2025

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $9,219 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(B): Specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy;  a. On or about August 8, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that the energy control procedure for Line 2 and Line 4 Microwave had the specific steps for shutting down the machinery. As a result, employees were exposed to caught-in and struck-by hazards.  b. On or about August 8, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that the energy control procedure for Line 5 Extruder 1 and Extruder 2 had the specific steps for shutting down the machinery. As a result, employees were exposed to caught-in and struck-by hazards.  c. On or about August 8, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that the energy control procedure for Line 5 Microwave had the specific steps for shutting down the machinery. As a result, employees were exposed to caught-in and struck-by hazards.

Issued

Dec 19, 2024

Abate by

Feb 26, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(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.  a. On or about August 8, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that the energy control procedure for Line 2 and Line 4 Microwave had the specific steps for how to verify the effectiveness of the control measures for the hazardous energy sources. As a result, employees were exposed to caught-in and struck-by hazards.  b. On or about August 8, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that the energy control procedure for Line 5 Extruder 1 and Extruder 2 had the specific steps for how to verify the effectiveness of the control measures for the hazardous energy sources. As a result, employees were exposed to caught-in and struck-by hazards.  c. On or about August 8, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that the energy control procedure for Line 5 Microwave had the specific steps for how to verify the effectiveness of the control measures for the hazardous energy sources. As a result, employees were exposed to caught-in and struck-by hazards.

Issued

Dec 19, 2024

Abate by

Feb 26, 2025

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $12,905 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer shall conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements of this standard are being followed.  a. On or about August 8, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that periodic inspections of the energy control procedures as well as the associated authorized employees including, but not limited to, Line 2 and Line 4 Microwave were conducted at least annually. As a result, employees were exposed to caught-in/between and struck by hazards.  b.  On or about August 8, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that periodic inspections of the energy control procedures as well as the associated authorized employees including, but not limited to, Line 5 Extruder 1 and Extruder 2 were conducted at least annually. As a result, employees were exposed to caught-in/between and struck by hazards.  c. On or about August 8, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that periodic inspections of the energy control procedures as well as the associated authorized employees including, but not limited to, Line 5 Rubber Feeder 1 and Rubber Feeder 2 were conducted at least annually. As a result, employees were exposed to caught-in/between and struck by hazards.  d. On or about August 8, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that periodic inspections of the energy control procedures as well as the associated authorized employees including, but not limited to, Line 5 Microwave were conducted at least annually. As a result, employees were exposed to caught-in/between and struck by hazards.

Issued

Dec 19, 2024

Abate by

Feb 26, 2025

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Each authorized employee shall receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.  a. On or about August 8, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that all authorized employees performing maintenance and servicing work plant-wide including, but not limited to, Extrusion Line setup, Extruder screw changes/cleaning, and preventative and reactive maintenance on the extrusion lines, were trained on the recognition of applicable energy sources, the type and magnitude of energy exposed to, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control. As a result, employees were exposed to caught-in/between and struck-by hazards.

Issued

Dec 19, 2024

Abate by

Feb 26, 2025

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $12,905 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): Application of control. The established procedures for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) shall cover the following elements and actions and shall be done in the following sequence:  a. On or about December 4, 2024, and at times prior, on Extrusion Line 5, employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with being struck-by or caught-in hazards of the machinery while performing maintenance and servicing tasks such as, but not limited to, set-up, die changes, and adjustments. The employer did not implement energy control application steps as the extrusion line was not isolated from its energy sources prior to performing the maintenance and servicing task [per the 1910.147(d)(3) requirements]. As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements, including lockout/tagout device application [(d)(4)], dissipation of residual and/or stored energy [(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [(d)(6)], were not implemented to protect employees from machine servicing hazards.  b. On or about November 26, 2024, and at times prior, on Extrusion Line 5, employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with being struck-by or caught-in hazards of the extruder screw and associated heat and water lines, while performing maintenance and servicing tasks such as, but not limited to, extruder screw changeovers. The employer did not implement energy control application steps as the extrusion line was not shutdown prior to performing the maintenance and servicing task [per the 1910.147(d)(2) requirements]. As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements, including machine and equipment isolation [(d)(3)], lockout/tagout device application [(d)(4)], dissipation of residual and/or stored energy [(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [(d)(6)], were not implemented to protect employees from machine servicing hazards.  c. On or about August 8, 2024, and at times prior, on Extrusion Line 4, employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with being struck-by or caught-in hazards of the extruder screw and associated heat and water lines, while performing maintenance and servicing tasks such as, but not limited to, extruder screw changeovers. The employer did not implement energy control application steps as the extrusion line was not shutdown prior to performing the maintenance and servicing task [per the 1910.147(d)(2) requirements]. As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements, including machine and equipment isolation [(d)(3)], lockout/tagout device application [(d)(4)], dissipation of residual and/or stored energy [(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [(d)(6)], were not implemented to protect employees from machine servicing hazards.

Issued

Dec 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D): Each authorized employee shall affix a personal lockout or tagout device to the group lockout device, group lockbox, or comparable mechanism when he or she begins work, and shall remove those devices when he or she stops working on the machine or equipment being serviced or maintained.  a. On or about August 8, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that each authorized employee performing maintenance and servicing work on Extrusion Line 2 affixed their own personal lockout/tagout devices. As a result, employees were exposed to caught-in/between and struck-by hazards.

Issued

Dec 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $9,219 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(c)(1): Slings that are damaged or defective shall not be used.  a. On or about August 8, 2024, and at times prior, the employer utilized a damaged synthetic web sling on Extrusion Line 2 to hoist the gear box for removal utilizing a forklift. As a result, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards.

Issued

Dec 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.184(i)(9)(iii): Snags, punctures, tears or cuts;   29 CFR 1910.184(i)(9): Removal from service. Synthetic web slings shall be immediately removed from service if any of the following conditions are present:  a. On or about August 8, 2024, and at times prior, a synthetic web sling that had snags and tears was not removed from service and was in use on Extrusion Line 2 to remove a gear box. As a result, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards.

Issued

Dec 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(d): Inspections. Each day before being used, the sling and all fastenings and attachments shall be inspected for damage or defects by a competent person designated by the employer. Additional inspections shall be performed during sling use, where service conditions warrant. Damaged or defective slings shall be immediately removed from service.  a. On or about August 8, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that the various slings utilized on Extrusion Line 2 to remove the gear boxes were inspected prior to usage. A damaged synthetic web sling was observed in use. As a result, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards.

Issued

Dec 19, 2024

Abate by

Dec 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(D): Identifiable. Lockout devices and tagout devices shall indicate the identity of the employee applying the device(s).  a. On or about August 8, 2024, the employer did not ensure that the lockout/tagout device in use on Extrusion Line 2 indicated the identity of the employee who applied the device. As a result, employees were exposed to caught-in/between and struck-by hazards associated with unexpected energization of Extrusion Line 2.