OSHA Inspection: PREFERRED PLUMBING & HEATING

Issued

1992-08-31 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-09-04 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $600.00 · Current $600.00

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.  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 the hazards associated with working with pipe threading
pipe threading machines:
(a)  At the Worksite - Employee operated a Rigid 300
pipe threading machine activated by a toggle switch
that would not  automatically shut the machine off
in case the operator was caught by the rotating
pipe; on or about 6/25/92.
ABATEMENT NOTES:
Among other methods, one feasible method to reduce this hazard is to
establish and enforce adequate safe operating procedures.  Procedures
such as those stipulated in Amrican Nationfal Standard for Portable
Pipe Threading Machines (ANSI B208.1-1982).  Elements essential to an
acceptable safe operating procedure include at a minimum:
1.  Installation of a momentary contact device (deadman foot
switch) to control power input to the machine.  This device
would automatically stop the machine and the rotating pipe if
the operator's foot was removed from the foot switch for any
reason.
2.   Provide training and education to the machine operators
concerning all the appopriate procedures for the safe oper-
ation and use of this type of machinery.