OSHA Inspection: MMP OF MERRILL, INC.

Issued

Dec 27, 2024

Abate by

Jan 13, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,857 · Current $4,800 Reduced

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):  On or about November 9, 2024, at a workplace located at S 905 State Street, Merrill, Wisconsin in the Ring Department; employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with the pinch point created by the downward motion of the press  when they engaged in servicing and/or maintenance activities on the RF15 - Auto Double Rail Welder.  The employer did not ensure that employees implemented energy control application steps or equivalent protective measures prior to allowing them to troubleshooting.  The machine was not deenergized prior to the employee engaging in the servicing / maintenance activity.  As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements, involving machine isolation [1910.147(d)(3)], lockout/tagout device application [1910.147(d)(4)], dissipation of residual energy [1910(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [1910.147(d)(6)] were not implemented to protect employees from machine hazards.

Issued

Dec 27, 2024

Abate by

Jan 13, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(f)(1)(ii): Remove employees from the machine or equipment area in accordance with paragraph (e)(2) of this section:   On or about November 9, 2024, at a workplace located at 905 South State Street, Merrill, Wisconsin in the Rings Department; while troubleshooting and testing the RF-15 Auto Double Rail Welder machine, employees were not removed from the equipment prior to the machine being activated to prevent exposure to pinch point and/or crushing hazards.

Issued

Dec 27, 2024

Abate by

Feb 5, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,857 · Current $4,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(1): Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be 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. Examples of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc.;   On or about November 4, 2024, at a workplace located at 905 S State Street, Merrill, Wisconsin in the Tool Room; the unused portion of the blade on the W.F. Wells horizontal bandsaw were not guarded to prevent inadvertent contact with the rotating saw blade.

Issued

Dec 27, 2024

Abate by

Feb 28, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(3)(ii): The point of operation of machines whose operation exposes an employee to injury, shall be guarded. The guarding device shall be in conformity with any appropriate standards therefor, or, in the absence of applicable specific standards, shall be so designed and constructed as to prevent the operator from having any part of his body in the danger zone during the operating cycle;   a) On or about November 14, 2024, at a workplace located at 905 S State Street, Merrill, Wisconsin in the Ring Department; an employee operating the Doubles spot welder was exposed to the unguarded hazardous downward clamp movement of the operation.  b) On or about November 14, 2024, at a workplace located at 905 S State Street, Merrill, Wisconsin in the Press Department; an employee operating the drill press was not protected from the rotating drill bit while countersinking holes into metal brackets.  c) On or about November 19, 2024, at a workplace located at 905 S State Street, Merrill, Wisconsin in the Ring Department; the RF-02 automatic ring machine stations were not guarded to prevent employee exposure to pinch point hazard created by the downward and cutting motion of the machine.   d) On or about November 19, 2024, at a workplace located at 905 S State Street, Merrill, Wisconsin in the Ring Department; the  RF-05 automatic ring machine stations was not guarded to prevent employee exposure to the pinch point hazard created by the downward motion of the machine.   e) On or about November 19, 2024, at a workplace located at 905 S State Street, Merrill, Wisconsin in the Ring Department; the Banner, asset 224 automatic ring machine stations was not guarded to prevent employee exposure to the pinch point hazard created by the downward motion of the press.  f) On or about November 19, 2024, at a workplace located at 905 S State Street, Merrill, Wisconsin in the Tool Room; the powered Die Handler was not guarded to prevent employee exposure to the pinch point hazard created by the downward motion of the top of the machine.

Issued

Dec 27, 2024

Abate by

Feb 5, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(6)(ii): The employer shall certify that the periodic inspections have been performed. The certification shall identify the machine or equipment on which the energy control procedure was being utilized, the date of the inspection, the employees included in the inspection, and the person performing the inspection:   On or about November 14, 2024, at a workplace located at 905 South State Street, Merrill, Wisconsin; the employer did not certify the completion of a periodic inspection of the energy control procedures to ensure an accurate procedure and that employees were familiar with their responsibilities under the procedures.