OSHA Inspection: QUALTOOL, INC.

Issued

Jan 8, 2026

Abate by

Feb 11, 2026

Penalty

Initial $3,972 · Current $1,929 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, in that, employees were exposed to laceration/amputation hazards while operating Cincinnati milling machines.  a) For the Cincinnati milling machines, on or about 11/17/2025, the employer exposed employees to laceration hazards, in that, emergency stop buttons were not functioning properly and multiple milling machines were missing e-stops.

Issued

Jan 8, 2026

Abate by

Feb 4, 2026

Penalty

Initial $2,270 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.23(b)(10):29 CFR 1910.23(b)(10): The employer did not ensure that any ladder with structural or other defects as immediately tagged "Dangerous: Do Not Use" or with similar language in accordance with � 1910.145 and removed from service until repaired in accordance with � 1910.22(d), or replaced.  a) For the Qualtool facility, on or about 11/17/2025, the employer exposed employees to fall hazards, in that, step ladders were missing non-skid feet and were still in service.

Issued

Jan 8, 2026

Abate by

Feb 4, 2026

Penalty

Initial $3,972 · Current $1,929 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(D):Lockout devices and tagout devices did not indicate the identity of the employee applying the device(s):  a) For machinery at the facility such as, but not limited to, Cincinnati milling machines and New Britain screw machines, on or about 11/17/2025, the employer exposed employees to laceration hazards, in that, locks and tags used for lockout tagout did not indicate the identity of the employee applying the device.

Issued

Jan 8, 2026

Abate by

Feb 4, 2026

Penalty

Initial $3,972 · Current $1,929 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.   a) For the New Britain screw machines, on or about 11/17/2025, the employer exposed employees to laceration hazards, in that, employees performing setup activities were not trained on lockout tagout procedures or aware of what lockout tagout was.

Issued

Jan 8, 2026

Abate by

Feb 4, 2026

Penalty

Initial $2,838 · Current $1,929 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d)(3):All energy isolating devices that were needed to control the energy to the machine or equipment were not physically located and operated in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source(s):  a) For the New Britain screw machines, on or about 11/17/2025, the employer exposed employees to caught-in and laceration/puncture hazards, in that, circuit breakers  needed to isolate the hazardous energy source of electricity, as per the employer's lockout tagout procedure, were not being turned off prior to employees performing setup/maintenance activities.

Issued

Jan 8, 2026

Abate by

Feb 4, 2026

Penalty

Initial $3,972 · Current $1,929 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d)(4)(i):Lockout or tagout devices were not affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees:  a) For the New Britain screw machines, on or about 11/17/2025, the employer exposed employees to laceration hazards, in that, lockout tagout devices were not affixed to energy isolating electrical disconnects and air clutches.  b) For the Cincinnati milling machines, on or about 11/17/2025, The employer exposed employees to laceration hazards, in that, cord locks were not placed on the power cords for setup/maintenance activities.

Issued

Jan 8, 2026

Abate by

Feb 4, 2026

Penalty

Initial $2,270 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(a)(6):The employer did not ensure that all nameplates and markings were in place:  a) For the Mitsubishi forklift used at the facility, on or about 11/17/2025, the employer exposed employees to potential struck-by hazards, in that, the nameplate containing load capacity information was illegible.

Issued

Jan 8, 2026

Abate by

Feb 4, 2026

Penalty

Initial $2,270 · Current $1,929 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(l)(4)(iii): An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance was not being conducted at least once every three years:  a) For the Mitsubishi forklift operation at the facility, on or about 11/17/2025, the employer exposed employees to potential struck-by hazards, in that, forklift operators had not been trained or evaluated in the last three years.

Issued

Jan 8, 2026

Abate by

Feb 4, 2026

Penalty

Initial $3,972 · Current $1,929 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) For the green EMCO lathe, on or about 11/17/2025, the employer exposed employees to injuries from flying metal fragment hazards from contacting the rotating lathe chuck, in that the lathe had no chuck guard while in use.                                               b) For the Cincinnati horizontal milling machines, on or about 11/17/2025, the employer exposed employees to laceration hazards, in that, the rotating shafts and milling teeth were not guarded.

Issued

Jan 8, 2026

Abate by

Feb 4, 2026

Penalty

Initial $3,972 · Current $1,929 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(c)(4)(i):Unguarded projecting shaft end(s) did not present a smooth edge and end and projected more than one half the diameter of the shaft:  a) For the green, EMCO lathe, on or about 11/17/2025, the employer exposed employees to potential caught-in hazards, in that, a rotating shaft with a diameter of approximately 1/4 inch projected approximately 11 inches.  b) For the 5 Cincinnati milling machines, on or about 11/17/2025, the employer exposed employees to potential caught in hazards, in that, rotating shafts with diameters of approximately 1/2 inch to 1 inch projected approximately 1 to 2 inches.

Issued

Jan 8, 2026

Abate by

Feb 4, 2026

Penalty

Initial $3,972 · Current $1,929 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.253(b)(2)(ii): Inside of buildings, cylinders were not stored in a well-protected, well-ventilated, dry location, at least 20 feet (6.1 m) from highly combustible materials such as oil or excelsior:   a) For the cylinder storage area, on or about 11/17/2025, the employer exposed employees to struck-by/fire hazards, in that, an oxygen and an acetylene cylinder were not well-protected/effectively secured from being knocked over. In event of them being contacted by a forklift or other object, the chain that was present would not prevent them from falling over.

Issued

Jan 8, 2026

Abate by

Feb 4, 2026

Penalty

Initial $3,405 · Current $1,929 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.253(b)(4)(iii):Oxygen cylinders in storage shall be separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour.  a) For the cylinder storage area, on or about 11/17/2025, the employer exposed employees to fire/burn hazards, in that, an oxygen cylinder was stored directly adjacent to propane and acetylene fuel gas cylinders with no noncombustible barrier.

Issued

Jan 8, 2026

Penalty

Initial $2,838 · Current $1,929 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(f)(1): Each disconnecting means required by Subpart S of Part 1910 for motors and appliances was not legibly marked to indicate its purpose, nor located and arranged so the purpose was evident:   a) For the 110/220/480 VAC breakers and disconnects controlling equipment at the facility, on or about 11/17/2025, the employer exposed employees to potential electrocution and amputation hazards, in that, the labeling of disconnects and breakers for equipment was illegible, and they were not located and arranged so the purpose was evident.

Issued

Jan 8, 2026

Penalty

Initial $2,270 · Current $1,929 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(f)(2): Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its disconnecting means or overcurrent device, was not legibly marked to indicate its purpose, nor located and arranged so the purpose was evident:  a) For 110/220 VAC breaker panels at the facility, on or about 11/17/2025, the employer exposed employees to potential electric shock hazards, in that, circuit breakers' labeling was illegible. Circuit breakers controlled power to fans and lighting at the facility.

Issued

Jan 8, 2026

Abate by

Feb 4, 2026

Penalty

Initial $319 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(6)(ii):The employer did not certify that periodic inspections of the energy control procedures had been performed:  a) For the Qualtool facility, on or about 11/17/2025, the employer exposed employees to potential caught-in machine guarding hazards, in that, the periodic inspections of the energy control procedures was not certified/documented.