OSHA Inspection: GRANITE EMPIRE OF CINCINNATI

Issued

Dec 19, 2025

Abate by

Apr 10, 2026

Penalty

Initial $3,547 · Current $3,547

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d):Application of control. The established procedures for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) shall cover the following elements and actions and shall be done in the following sequence:  1910.147(d)(1) Preparation for shutdown. Before an authorized or affected employee turns off a machine or equipment, the authorized employee shall have knowledge of the type and magnitude of the energy, the hazards of the energy to be controlled, and the method or means to control the energy.  1910.147(d)(2) Machine or equipment shutdown. The machine or equipment shall be turned off or shut down using the procedures established for the machine or equipment. An orderly shutdown must be utilized to avoid any additional or increased hazard(s) to employees as a result of the equipment stoppage.  1910.147(d)(3) Machine or equipment isolation. All energy isolating devices that are needed to control the energy to the machine or equipment shall be physically located and operated in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source(s).  1910.147(d)(4) Lockout or tagout device application.  1910.147(d)(4)(i) Lockout or tagout devices shall be affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees.  1910.147(d)(4)(ii) Lockout devices, where used, shall be affixed in a manner to that will hold the energy isolating devices in a "safe" or "off" position.  1910.147(d)(4)(iii) Tagout devices, where used, shall be affixed in such a manner as will clearly indicate that the operation or movement of energy isolating devices from the "safe" or "off" position is prohibited.  1910.147(d)(4)(iii)(A) Where tagout devices are used with energy isolating devices designed with the capability of being locked, the tag attachment shall be fastened at the same point at which the lock would have been attached.  1910.147(d)(4)(iii)(B) Where a tag cannot be affixed directly to the energy isolating device, the tag shall be located as close as safely possible to the device, in a position that will be immediately obvious to anyone attempting to operate the device.  1910.147(d)(5) Stored energy.  1910.147(d)(5)(i) Following the application of lockout or tagout devices to energy isolating devices, all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy shall be relieved, disconnected, restrained, and otherwise rendered safe.  1910.147(d)(5)(ii) If there is a possibility of reaccumulation of stored energy to a hazardous level, verification of isolation shall be continued until the servicing or maintenance is completed, or until the possibility of such accumulation no longer exists.  1910.147(d)(6) Verification of isolation. Prior to starting work on machines or equipment that have been locked out or tagged out, the authorized employee shall verify that isolation and deenergization of the machine or equipment have been accomplished.  a) On or about December 2, 2025, the employer did not ensure that employees applied lockout/tagout in the required sequence when performing blade changes on the MTE BridgeSaw Diamond5 cutting machine. Employees changed blades while the saw remained energized and did not follow steps to isolate energy sources, apply lockout or tagout devices, and verify a zero-energy state before servicing. As a result, employees performing servicing and maintenance of blade changes were exposed to potential unexpected energization.

Issued

Dec 19, 2025

Abate by

Apr 10, 2026

Penalty

Initial $4,965 · Current $0 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:  1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(B) Specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy; 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(C) Specific procedural steps for the placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices or tagout devices and the responsibility for them; and 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(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) On or about December 3, 2025, the employer failed to ensure that the energy control procedure used during blade replacement on a 5-axis CNC MTE BridgeSaw Diamond5 included clear and specific steps to control hazardous energy. The procedure did not require isolation of energy sources, application of lockout or tagout devices, or verification that a zero-energy state had been achieved prior to blade removal and instead relied on use of the emergency stop and control testing to prevent movement. As a result, employees performing blade changes were exposed to potential unexpected energization.

Issued

Dec 19, 2025

Abate by

Apr 10, 2026

Penalty

Initial $4,965 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(6)(i):The employer shall conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements of this standard are being followed.  a)On or about December 3, 2025, the employer failed to conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedures used for servicing and maintenance of equipment at least annually.

Issued

Dec 19, 2025

Abate by

Apr 10, 2026

Penalty

Initial $4,965 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A):Each authorized employee shall 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)On or about December 3, 2025, the employer did not provide training to employees responsible for servicing and maintenance activities on the 5-axis CNC MTE BridgeSaw Diamond5 to ensure they could recognize hazardous energy sources, understand the type and magnitude of energy present, and apply methods necessary for isolation and control. Employees performing blade changes had no instruction on lockout/tagout procedures or energy control techniques. As a result, employees performing servicing and maintenance of blade changes were exposed to potential unexpected energization.

Issued

Dec 19, 2025

Abate by

Apr 10, 2026

Penalty

Initial $2,128 · Current $2,128

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(a)(4):Modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operation shall not be performed by the customer or user without manufacturers prior written approval. Capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals shall be changed accordingly.  a)On or about December 3, 2025, the employer failed to obtain the manufacturer's prior written approval before modifying a Yale propane-powered forklift by installing an AARD Wolfe Gravity Mod (FB1-2720) attachment used to lift granite slabs. The forklift was operated without updated capacity, operation, or maintenance information reflecting the modification. As a result, employees were exposed to struck-by and crushed-by hazards during material handling operations involving heavy stone slabs.

Issued

Dec 19, 2025

Abate by

Apr 10, 2026

Penalty

Initial $3,547 · Current $2,325 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.  a)On or about December 3, 2025, the employer failed to provide guarding to protect employees from hazardous motion associated with the X and Y axis travel of the 5-axis CNC MTE BridgeSaw Diamond5 cutting machine. Employees performing tasks near the saw were exposed to the unguarded movement of the bridge and carriage components. As a result, employees were exposed to caught-in and struck-by hazards from the machine's moving parts during operation.

Issued

Dec 19, 2025

Abate by

Feb 9, 2026

Penalty

Initial $2,128 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(l)(4)(iii):An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance shall be conducted at least once every three years.  a)On or about December 3, 2025, the employer failed to evaluate the performance of a powered industrial truck operator at least once every three years. The operator of a Yale propane-powered forklift, equipped with an AARD Wolfe Gravity Mod (FB1-2720) attachment, had last received evaluation in 2007 and continued operating the forklift to move granite slabs within the facility. As a result, employees were exposed to struck-by and caught-between hazards during forklift operations involving heavy stone materials.