OSHA Inspection: PLASTIPAK PACKAGING, INC.

Issued

2026-05-14

Abate by

2026-06-18

Penalty

Initial $14188 · 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:   29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(B): Specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy;  29 CFR 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  29 CFR 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 March 18, 2026, employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with the pneumatic cylinder slide for the Resin Vessel on Line 16, located at the top of the Novatec Primary Dryer.  The employer did not establish and implement specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing the pneumatic cylinder to control the hazardous energy.  No specific procedures were established for the placement, removal and transfer of lockout/tagout devices, as well as requirements for testing the equipment to verify the effectiveness of the energy control measures.  As a result an employee was exposed to struck-by and caught between hazards.

Issued

2026-05-14

Abate by

2026-07-20

Penalty

Initial $14188 · Current $9932 Reduced

General-duty citation text

1910.147(f)(1)(ii): 29 CFR 1910.147(f)(1)(ii):When lockout or tagout devices temporarily were removed from the energy isolating device and the machine or equipment was energized to test or position the machine, equipment or component thereof, the following actions shall be followed: (ii) Remove employees from the machine or equipment area:  a. On or about March 18, 2026, an employee was exposed to a caught-in hazard created by an unguarded pinch point at the pneumatic cylinder of the hopper?s slide gate on Line 16. The employer did not ensure that the employee was protected from the pinch point(s) while performing troubleshooting of the pneumatic cylinder.    ABATEMENT NOTE: Under limited circumstances when components of the equipment are needed to be re-energized to accomplish a particular task, procedures shall be developed and utilized as specified in 1910.147(f)(1) to ensure employees are removed from the machine or equipment area. If employees are unable to be removed from the area, alternative safeguarding measures, such as machine guarding methods compliant with Subpart O, must be used in conjunction with the procedures to prevent employee(s) exposure to the hazardous area(s).