OSHA Inspection: TEMA NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Issued

Jun 9, 2025

Abate by

Jun 17, 2025

Penalty

Initial $9,104 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(6)(i): The employer did not ensure that each employee less than 4 feet (1.2 m) above dangerous equipment is protected from falling into or onto the dangerous equipment by a guardrail system or a travel restraint system, unless the equipment is covered or guarded to eliminate the hazard.  (a) Production Line 3000: On or about January 10, 2025 and times prior, employees used a makeshift unguarded platform to climb on top of the moving formation rollers in order to tighten loosened studs, exposing employees to caught-in and fall hazards.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jun 9, 2025

Abate by

Jul 21, 2025

Penalty

Initial $12,744 · Current $6,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): The procedures shall clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, the following: (A) A specific statement of the intended use of the procedure; (B) Specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy; (C) Specific procedural steps for the placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices or tagout devices and the responsibility for them; and (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) Production Lines: On or about January 16, 2025, machine-specific lockout/tagout procedures were not adequately and fully developed to address and control all energy sources for each piece of equipment, such as, but not limited to 480v electricity that controls the motors, 120psi pneumatic energy used for the vacuum or air assist, and thermal energy for high temperature zones up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The written procedures were generalized by the production line (L2000, L3000, and L4000) and lacked clear, detailed instructions, such as, but not limited to, specific steps for isolating potential energy sources.  Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Jun 9, 2025

Abate by

Jun 27, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(2)(ii): An energy isolating device that was capable of being locked out, did not utilize a lockout device, which rendered the machine or equipment inoperative.   (a) Production Lines: On or about January 31, 2025, a maintenance employee servicing Production Line 4000 applied a lock to the main power breaker in the electrical panel but did not have an additional lock to secure the airline valve, which was capable of being locked out. Instead, a tag was placed on the valve in lieu of a lock, exposing the employee to caught-in and struck-by hazards due to the potential for reenergization.  Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Jun 9, 2025

Abate by

Jun 20, 2025

Penalty

Initial $10,924 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30psi.  (a) Production Facility/Floor: On or about January 16, 2025, employees used compressed air measured at 120-122 psi to clean dust and debris from their clothing, machines, equipment and floors, exposing them to hazards associated with unregulated air pressure.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jun 9, 2025

Abate by

Jun 20, 2025

Penalty

Initial $7,282 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling.  (a) Production Facility Line 3000: On or about January 16, 2025, the electrical panel controlling the production line and associated equipment, including two grinders, was not used in accordance with its UL listing. The cabinet doors were left open and unlocked, allowing untrained and unqualified employees to access energized components rated up to 480 volts to reset breakers, exposing them to electrical hazards.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jun 9, 2025

Abate by

Jun 20, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.334(b)(2): After a circuit was de-energized by a circuit protective device, the circuit was manually reenergized without determining that the equipment and circuit can be safely energized.   (a) Production Facility Line 3000: On or about January 16, 2025, the employer allowed untrained and unqualified employees to access 480 volt electrical power panels to reset breakers multiple times per shift without first determining the cause of the breaker being tripped and/or confirming that the underlying hazard had been corrected, exposing employees to electrical hazards.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jun 9, 2025

Abate by

Jul 21, 2025

Penalty

Initial $25,487 · Current $15,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities such as servicing and/ or maintenance of equipment.  (a) Production Line-L3000: On or about January 16, 2025, the employer did not develop, document or utilize specific energy control procedures that addressed all energy sources during servicing and/or maintenance of the Engin Plast BA 33.26.T granulators/grinders with inoperable safety interlock devices, including 480-volt electrical energy, kinetic energy, stored mechanical energy and pneumatic energy, exposing employees to caught-in and crushing hazards.  TEMA North America, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1767576, citation number 1, item number 1, and group letter a. This was affirmed as a final order on October 10, 2024, with respect to a workplace located at 395 Steeley Way, Kearneysville, WV 25430.  Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Jun 9, 2025

Abate by

Jul 21, 2025

Penalty

Initial $25,487 · Current $15,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed:  (a) On or about January 16, 2025, the employer did not ensure inspections of the energy control procedures were conducted at least annually, exposing employees to hazardous energy.    TEMA North America, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1643962, citation number 1, item number 1, and group letter b. This was affirmed as a final order on May 4, 2023, with respect to a workplace located at 395 Steeley Way, Kearneysville, WV 25430.  Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Jun 9, 2025

Abate by

Jul 21, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Each authorized employee 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 and control.  (a) Production Facility: On or about January 16, 2025,  employees required to perform lockout/tagout were not adequately or effectively trained by the employer in the identification of hazardous energy sources and the proper steps required to isolate and control those energy sources on the equipment they operated or serviced, resulting in exposure to crushing, struck-by and caught-in hazards.  TEMA North America, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1767576, citation number 1, item number 1, and group letter b. This was affirmed as a final order on October 10, 2024, with respect to a workplace located at 395 Steeley Way, Kearneysville, WV 25430.  Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Jun 9, 2025

Abate by

Jun 20, 2025

Penalty

Initial $25,487 · Current $15,000 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.   (a) Production Line 3000-Cut Room: On or about January 17, 2025, employees gauged and/or adjusted the roller height while working approximately 10 to 12 inches from unguarded rollers, exposing them to caught-in hazards.  (b) Production Line 3000-Trim Saw: On or about January 17, 2025, employees were working within six inches or closer of unguarded portions of the saw blades to inspect the processed material and make necessary adjustments throughout the shift, exposing them to point-of-operation hazards.  (c) Production Line 3000-Accumulator: On or about January 31, 2025, employees were working within six inches or closer of an unguarded razor blade while inspecting the material output and making necessary adjustments throughout the shift, exposing them to potential laceration injuries from accidental contact with the blade.  (d) Production Line 3000-Formation Rollers: On or about January 10, 2025 and times prior, employees used a makeshift platform to climb onto unguarded, moving formation rollers to tighten loosened studs by extending their arms and upper bodies over or into the roller assembly, placing their hands and extremities in close proximity to unguarded in-running nip points, exposing them to caught-in hazards.  TEMA North America, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1643962, citation number 1, item number 1, and group letter a. This was affirmed as a final order on May 4, 2023, with respect to a workplace located at 395 Steeley Way, Kearneysville, WV 25430.  Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Jun 9, 2025

Abate by

Sep 30, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(b): The employer did not ensure that each walking-working surface can support the maximum intended load for that surface.  (a) Production Line 3000:  On or about January 16, 2025, the employer did not  ensure the elevated platform (mezzanine) located above Production Line 3000 was clearly marked or otherwise documented with its maximum intended load capacity.  (b) Production Line 4000:  On or about January 16, 2025, the employer did not  ensure the elevated platform (mezzanine) located above Production Line 4000 was clearly marked or otherwise documented with its maximum intended load capacity.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.