OSHA Inspection: SPONGE CUSHION INC.

Issued

Mar 19, 2026

Abate by

Aug 3, 2026

Penalty

Initial $8,276 · Current $5,517 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 September 30, 2025,  the employer did not ensure that the energy control procedure for the Line #2 Sheeter line clearly and specifically outlined the steps necessary for the shutdown, isolation, and securing of hazardous energy.  The written energy control procedure was vague and inadequate in that it instructed employees to locate a breaker within a large electrical panel on the south wall but did not identify the specific panel or the exact breaker required to effectively isolate all hazardous energy sources associated with the equipment.  As a result, employees performing servicing and maintenance activities on the Line #2 Sheeter line, including conveyor belt tracking, were not provided with clear instructions to properly control hazardous energy and were exposed to injuries such as lacerations, fractures, and caught-in/between hazards from moving rollers.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Mar 19, 2026

Abate by

Aug 3, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(D): The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the requirements for testing a machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy control measures:  On or about September 30, 2025, the employer did not ensure that the energy control procedure for the Line #2 Sheeter line clearly and specifically included requirements for verifying the effectiveness of energy isolation prior to the start of servicing and maintenance activities. The written energy control procedure provided by the employer did not include a verification step to ensure that all hazardous energy sources had been isolated and the equipment was effectively de-energized.  Employees performing servicing and maintenance activities on the Line #2 Sheeter line, including conveyor belt tracking, relied on this deficient procedure. As a result, employees were exposed to unexpected energization and the release of hazardous energy, which could result in lacerations, fractures, and caught-in/between hazards from moving rollers.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Mar 19, 2026

Abate by

Aug 3, 2026

Penalty

Initial $8,276 · Current $0 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:  On or about September 30, 2025, the employer did not conduct periodic inspections of the company's energy control procedures to ensure that the requirements of the lockout/tagout standard were met.  The employer's hazardous energy control program had deficiencies, such as, but not limited to employees not locking out machines or equipment prior to servicing and maintenance, inadequate authorized employee training, and inadequate energy control procedures.  Had the periodic inspections been conducted as required, these program deficiencies could have been identified and corrected.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Mar 19, 2026

Abate by

Aug 3, 2026

Penalty

Initial $8,276 · Current $5,517 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 September 30, 2025, the employer did not provide training to ensure that employees performing servicing and maintenance activities on the Line #2 conveyor system understood the purpose and function of the energy control program, the hazards associated with hazardous energy, and the procedures required for the proper application of lockout/tagout.  A maintenance employee was exposed to hazardous energy while performing servicing and maintenance activities, including conveyor belt tracking, on an energized conveyor system when they entered the danger zone beneath the equipment. The employer failed to ensure that the employee was adequately trained to recognize hazardous energy sources and to apply energy control procedures, including the requirement to de-energize and isolate equipment prior to servicing.  As a result, employees were exposed to hazards associated with the unexpected energization or startup of the equipment, including caught-in/between hazards, lacerations, and fractures.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Mar 19, 2026

Abate by

Aug 3, 2026

Penalty

Initial $8,276 · Current $5,517 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d): The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedure) was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1) through (d)(6):  On or about September 30, 2025, a maintenance employee performed conveyor belt tracking adjustments while the equipment was energized and running. The employee entered beneath the conveyor to access an adjustment point and was exposed lacerations, fractures, and caught-in/between hazards from moving rollers.  The employer failed to ensure that employees applied energy control procedures to de-energize and isolate the equipment prior to them entering the danger zone during servicing and maintenance  activities.  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 [1910.147(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [1910.147(d)(6)] were not implemented to protect employees from machine hazards.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).