OSHA Inspection: RESOURCE RECYCLING, INC.

Issued

Apr 9, 2025

Abate by

Apr 27, 2026

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $9,799 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:  On or about November 6, 2024, and at times prior, employees were exposed to struck-by and crushing injuries from mobile equipment such as, but not limited to, front end loaders, passenger vehicles, and semi-truck traffic.  Employees were exposed when working and walking in the outdoor mulch production area and the drive areas where vehicles operate near/between buildings.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 9, 2025

Abate by

Apr 27, 2026

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $9,799 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D): Each authorized employee did not affix a personal lockout or tagout device to the group lockout device before working on the machine or equipment.  a. On or about October 22, 2024, the employer did not ensure that each employee in the group who maintained or repaired the outfeed and naturals/C8 conveyors, which are associated with the dye machine, controlled the equipment's hazardous electrical energy source.  Authorized employees in the group were exposed to being caught in rotating parts and fall hazards in that a personal lockout device was not affixed to a group lockout device prior to performing servicing tasks.  b. On or about October 22, 2024, the employer did not ensure that each employee in the group who unjammed/cleaned under the outfeed conveyor for the dye machine, controlled the equipment's hazardous electrical energy source.  Authorized employees in the group were exposed to being caught in rotating parts in that a personal lockout device was not affixed to a group lockout device prior to performing servicing tasks.  c. On or about October 14, 2024, the employer did not ensure that each employee in the group who worked to maintain and weld the tips for the tub grinder controlled the equipment's hazardous electrical energy source.  Authorized employees in the group were exposed to being crushed by the grinder in that a personal lockout device was not affixed to a group lockout device prior to performing servicing tasks.

Issued

Apr 9, 2025

Abate by

Apr 27, 2026

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $9,799 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(g)(1): An educational program was not provided for all employees to familiarize them with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage firefighting:  On or about October 22, 2024, the employer did not ensure that employees were provided with training on the general principals of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient-stage firefighting.  Employees were exposed to fire, respiratory, and burn hazards in that the employer did not make safe the area near and around the dye machine's outfeed conveyor prior to performing torching or welding tasks. Employees were exposed to fire hazards in that combustible mulch was not removed or protective measures such as, but not limited to, safe barriers or blankets applied prior to performing the hot work.

Issued

Apr 9, 2025

Abate by

Apr 27, 2026

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $9,799 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 October 22, 2024, the employer did not ensure the "outfeed conveyor," located under the dye machine was guarded to protect employees from being caught in rotating parts and nip point created by the equipment's tail pulley and conveyor belt.

Issued

Apr 9, 2025

Abate by

Apr 27, 2026

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $9,799 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(a)(2)(ii):  Suitable extinguishing equipment was not maintained in a state of readiness for instant use:  On or about October 22, 2024, the employer did not maintain a means of extinguishing fire when employees performed hot work at the dye machine's outfeed conveyor.  A means to readily extinguish a fire, that occurred when hot slag ignited nearby mulch, was not available to protect employees from fire hazards.

Issued

Apr 9, 2025

Abate by

Apr 27, 2026

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $9,799 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(a)(2)(iii)(A):  The employer did not provide fire watchers whenever welding or cutting was performed in locations where other than a minor fire might develop:  On or about October 22, 2024, a fire watcher(s) was not present for torching work that occurred at the dye machine's outfeed conveyor, where combustible mulch was present on and around the conveyor. Employees were exposed to fire hazards when hot slag ignited nearby mulch.

Issued

Apr 9, 2025

Abate by

Apr 27, 2026

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $9,799 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(a)(2)(iv):  Cutting or welding was permitted in areas before the areas were inspected by the individual responsible for authorizing cutting and welding operations:  On or about October 22, 2024, the area near and around the dye machine's outfeed conveyor was not inspected, and precautions designated, prior to performing metal torching tasks. Employees were exposed to fire hazards created by the hot work performed at the outfeed conveyor in that the area was not inspected to identify and mitigate fire hazards.

Issued

Apr 9, 2025

Abate by

Apr 27, 2026

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $9,799 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(a)(2)(xv):  Cutting or welding was permitted not only in areas that were or had been made fire safe:  On or about October 22, 2024, the employer did not make safe the area near and around the dye machine's outfeed conveyor prior to performing torching tasks. Employees were exposed to fire hazards in that combustible mulch was not removed or protective measures such as, but not limited to, safe barriers or blankets applied prior to performing the hot work.

Issued

Apr 9, 2025

Abate by

Apr 25, 2025

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $11,585

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.253(e)(3)(ii)(C)(3):  Flashback protection was not provided by an approved device that would prevent flame from passing into the fuel gas system:  On or about October 22, 2024, employees that utilized oxygen-acetylene to cut metal with a cutting torch on the dye machine's outfeed conveyor were exposed to fire and explosion hazards.  The employer did not ensure that flashback arrestors were utilized to prevent a reverse flow of flame from traveling back through the torch hoses and into the gas cylinders.

Issued

Apr 9, 2025

Abate by

Apr 27, 2026

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $9,799 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.332(b)(1):  Employees were not trained in and familiar with the safety-related work practices required by 1910.331 through 1910.335 that pertained to their respective job assignments:   On or about October 22, 2024, the employer did not ensure that employees who are exposed to electrical and arc flash hazards when accessing electrical distribution and control panels were trained in electrical safety-related work practices as required by 1910.331-1910.335.  Employees performing work on and within approach boundaries of energized 480-volt circuits of the Colorbiotics dye machine and tub grinder were not trained in the skills necessary to distinguish live parts from other parts of electrical equipment and the safety-related work practices intended to provide safety relative to electrical hazards.

Issued

Apr 9, 2025

Abate by

Apr 27, 2026

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $9,799 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.333(a):  Safety-related work practices were not employed to prevent electric shock or other injuries resulting from either direct or indirect electrical contacts, when work was performed near or on equipment or circuits which were or could be energized:  a. On or about October 22, 2024, the employer did not develop and implement electrical safety related work practices to protect employees who are exposed to live electrical conductors.  Employees who accessed the electrical control panel associated with the Colorbiotics dye machine to reset and turn the equipment on/off were exposed to electrical-related injuries in that safe work practices were not employed to prevent electrical shock, electrocution, and/or arc flash/blast.  b. On or about October 28, 2024, the employer did not develop and implement electrical safety related work practices to protect employees who are exposed to live electrical conductors.  Employees who accessed the electrical distribution panel associated with the tub grinder to reset the machine's computer and breaker were exposed to electrical-related injuries in that safe work practices were not employed to prevent electrical shock, electrocution, and/or arc flash/blast.

Issued

Apr 9, 2025

Abate by

Apr 27, 2026

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $9,799 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.335(a)(1)(i):  Employees working in areas where there were potential electrical hazards were not provided with electrical protective equipment that was appropriate for the specific parts of the body that needed to be protected and for the work being performed:  a. On or about October 22, 2024, the employer did not ensure workers who accessed the electrical control panel associated with the Colorbiotics dye machine were provided with and used electrical protective equipment for the body, hands, head, and face.  Employees who accessed the 480-volt electrical control panel to reset and turn the dye machine and conveyors on/off were exposed to electrical shock and arc flash hazards.    b. On or about October 28, 2024, the employer did not ensure workers who accessed the electrical distribution panel for the tub grinder were provided with and used electrical protective equipment for the body, hands, head, and face.  Employees who accessed the 480-volt electrical distribution panel to reset the machine's computer and breaker were exposed to electrical shock and arc flash hazards.

Issued

Apr 9, 2025

Abate by

Apr 27, 2026

Penalty

Initial $132,411 · Current $132,411

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.28(b)(1)(i):  Except as provided elsewhere in this section 29 CFR 1910.28, the employer did not ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by one or more of the systems described in 29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i):  On or about October 22, 2024, the employer did not ensure that employees who worked on top of conveyors to perform maintenance tasks were protected from fall hazards.  An employee who accessed the "naturals" incline conveyor (#C8) to inspect a gearbox sustained fatal injuries after falling approximately 45-feet to the ground below.

Issued

Apr 9, 2025

Abate by

Apr 27, 2026

Penalty

Initial $132,411 · Current $100,001 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  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. On or about October 22, 2024, the employer did not develop, document, and utilize energy control procedures for the "naturals" incline conveyor (#C8) that is associated with the dye machine.  Employees were exposed to injuries associated with being caught in rotating parts and to fall hazards up to 45-feet when working to maintain the conveyor's gearbox.  b. On or about October 22, 2022, the employer did not develop, document, and utilize energy control procedures for the dye machine's outfeed conveyor.  Employees were exposed to injuries associated with being caught in rotating parts when working to unjam/clean under the conveyor, replacing the conveyor's belt, and installing conveyor rollers.  c. On or about October 14, 2024, the employer did not develop, document, and utilize energy control procedures for the tub grinder.  Employees were exposed to crushing injuries when working to maintain and weld the grinder's tips.

Issued

Apr 9, 2025

Abate by

Apr 27, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d): The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) did not cover the actions listed in and was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6):  a. On or about October 22, 2024, an employee who worked to maintain the gearbox located on the C8 incline conveyor, that is associated with the dye machine, fell approximately 45-ft from the conveyor after it unexpectedly started.  The employer did not ensure that energy control application steps were implemented to control the equipment's electrical energy source prior to performing maintenance tasks on the conveyor(s) - the employer did not:   - Ensure employees had the method or means to control hazardous energy. - Physically operate energy isolating devices to control energy sources and affix lockout device(s). - Ensure that all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy was relieved, disconnected, and rendered safe. - Verify that isolation and deenergization of the machine or equipment had been accomplished.  b. On or about October 22, 2022, employees were exposed to injuries associated with being caught in rotating parts in that the dye machine's outfeed conveyor was not locked out prior to unjamming/cleaning under the conveyor, replacing the conveyor's belt, and installing conveyor rollers.  The employer did not ensure that energy control application steps were implemented to control the equipment's electrical energy source prior to performing the maintenance task - the employer did not: - Ensure employees had the method or means to control hazardous energy. - Physically operate energy isolating devices to control energy sources and affix lockout device(s). - Ensure that all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy was relieved, disconnected, and rendered safe. - Verify that isolation and deenergization of the machine or equipment had been accomplished.  c. On or about October 14, 2024, employees were exposed to crushing injuries in that the tub grinder was not locked out prior to maintaining and welding the grinder's tips. The employer did not ensure that energy control application steps were implemented to control the equipment's electrical energy source prior to performing the maintenance task - the employer did not: - Ensure employees had the method or means to control hazardous energy. - Physically operate energy isolating devices to control energy sources and affix lockout device(s). - Ensure that all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy was relieved, disconnected, and rendered safe. - Verify that isolation and deenergization of the machine or equipment had been accomplished.

Issued

Apr 9, 2025

Abate by

Apr 27, 2026

Penalty

Initial $132,411 · Current $9,799 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Authorized employee(s) did not 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.   On or about October 14, 2024, the employer did not ensure that employees who service and maintain the tub grinder were trained in the skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of energy controls.  Employees who worked to maintain the grinder's tips were not trained to isolate and/or render the electrical energy source safe prior to performing servicing tasks.

Issued

Apr 9, 2025

Abate by

Apr 27, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(6): Unless identified for use in the operating environment, conductors or equipment were located  in damp or wet locations; where exposed to gases, fumes, vapors, liquids, or other agents that had a deteriorating effect on the conductors or equipment; or where exposed to excessive temperatures:    On or about October 28, 2024, the employer did not ensure that the 480-volt flexible wiring from an electrical distribution panel to an electrical motor for the tub grinder was enclosed in a raceway or other electrical enclosure that was designed and intended for use in an outdoor damp or wet location to protect the enclosure with wiring from deteriorating from outdoor elements. The employer used a wooden make-shift raceway to contain and partially support the electrical wiring. The flexible wiring was not installed in a listed enclosure intended to protect the wiring from outdoor elements.