OSHA Inspection: AJAX TOCCO MAGNETHERMIC

Issued

Feb 19, 2025

Abate by

Mar 26, 2025

Penalty

Initial $16,550 · Current $8,500 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:  On or about December 5, 2024, the employer failed to utilize the developed machine specific procedures for the ABWOOD grinder machine to ensure that it was locked and tagged out prior to employees performing cleaning of the magnetic wheel on the machine.  The magnetic wheel is hydraulically energized and the grinding wheel is electrically energized.   An employee sustained a partial fingertip amputation while cleaning the magnetic wheel when their hand came into contact with the activated grinding wheel.

Issued

Feb 19, 2025

Abate by

Mar 11, 2025

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) through (d)(6):  On or about December 5, 2024, employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with moving parts of the ABWOOD Grinder Machine during cleaning of the magnetic wheel which was located in the main plant.  The employer failed to implement energy control application steps as the machine was not shut down or turned off to perform the task of cleaning the magnetic wheel [per the 12910.147(d)(2) requirements].  As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements, involving machine isolation[(d)(3)], LOTO device application [(d)(4)], dissipation of residual energy [(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [(d)(6)], were not implemented to protect employees from machine cleaning hazards:  prepare for shutdown [(d)(1)] - ensure authorized employee has knowledge of the type, magnitude, the hazards, and the method or means to control the energy; shutdown the machine or equipment [(d)(2)]; machine isolation [(d)(3)] - Physically locate and operate all energy isolating devices that are needed to control the energy to the machine or equipment in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source(s); LOTO device application [(d)(4)] - Affix a lockout or tagout device to each energy isolating device; dissipation of residual energy [(d)(5)(i)] - relieve, disconnect, restrain, and otherwise render safe all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy; verification of isolation [(d)(6)] - Verify that isolation and deenergization of the machine or equipment has been accomplished.

Issued

Feb 19, 2025

Abate by

Mar 26, 2025

Penalty

Initial $16,550 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(B): The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy:  On or about December 5, 2024, the employer failed to ensure that their machine specific energy control procedures for the ABWOOD grinder machine clearly and specifically outlined the steps necessary to ensure that the machine was fully locked and tagged out prior to employees performing the tasks of cleaning the hydraulically powered magnetic table.  An employee sustained a partial fingertip amputation while cleaning the magnetic wheel when their hand came into contact with the activated grinding wheel.

Issued

Feb 19, 2025

Abate by

Mar 11, 2025

Penalty

Initial $16,550 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct an annual or more frequent inspection of the energy control procedure to ensure that the procedure and requirements of this standard were followed:  On or about December 5, 2024, the employer failed to conduct an annual inspection the their energy control procedure to ensure that it was up to date and being followed.  Employees were not protected from the point of operation of the grinding wheel on the ABWOOD Grinder machine when they were cleaning the magnetic wheel of the machine.   The magnetic wheel is hydraulically energized and the grinding wheel is electrically energized.   An employee sustained a partial fingertip amputation while cleaning the magnetic wheel when their hand came into contact with the activated grinding wheel.  The machine was not locked and tagged out prior to performing the cleaning task.