OSHA Inspection: WITMER INDUSTRIES INC.

Issued

2021-07-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5803.00 · Current $2902.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d):The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) did not cover the actions listed in and was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6):  On or about May 6, 2021 and thereafter, employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with moving parts when they engaged in setup activities on the Powermatic table saw.  The employer did not ensure that employees implemented energy control application steps prior to allowing them to adjust the saw blade.  The machine was not deenergized prior to the employee engaging in the servicing / maintenance activity.  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(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [1910.147(d)(6)] were not implemented to protect employees from machine hazards.

Issued

2021-07-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5803.00 · Current $2902.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.213(c)(1): Each circular hand-fed ripsaw shall be guarded by a hood which shall completely enclose that portion of the saw above the table and that portion of the saw above the material being cut. The hood and mounting shall be arranged so that the hood will automatically adjust itself to the thickness of and remain in contact with the material being cut but it shall not offer any considerable resistance to insertion of material to saw or to passage of the material being sawed. The hood shall be made of adequate strength to resist blows and strains incidental to reasonable operation, adjusting, and handling, and shall be so designed as to protect the operator from flying splinters and broken saw teeth. It shall be made of material that is soft enough so that it will be unlikely to cause tooth breakage. The hood shall be so mounted as to insure that its operation will be positive, reliable, and in true alignment with the saw; and the mounting shall be adequate in strength to resist any reasonable side thrust or other force tending to throw it out of line.  On or about May 6, 2021, an adjustable guard was not utilized when sending a test piece through the Powermatic table saw exposing employees to struck by hazards.

Issued

2021-07-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.213(s)(9):  Push sticks or push blocks shall be provided at the work place in the several sizes and types suitable for the work to be done.  On or about May 6, 2021, a push stick or push block was not provided nor utilized when pushing a 5 and 7/8" long board through the Powermatic table saw exposing employees to struck by hazards.

Issued

2021-07-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5803.00 · Current $2902.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.213(r)(4):  The mention of specific machines in paragraphs (a) thru (q) and this paragraph (r) of this section, inclusive, is not intended to exclude other woodworking machines from the requirement that suitable guards and exhaust hoods be provided to reduce to a minimum the hazard due to the point of operation of such machines.  On or about May 6, 2021 and thereafter, the Jet pneumatic cut-off saw did not have guarding to prevent contact from the blade during operation exposing employees to struck by hazards.

Issued

2021-07-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5803.00 · Current $2902.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.335(a)(1)(i):  Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards shall be provided with, and shall use, electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed.  Note: Personal protective equipment requirements are contained in subpart I of this part.  On or about February 4, 2021, personal protective equipment was not worn while troubleshooting a live 480V contact exposing employees to electrical shock hazards.

Issued

2021-07-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(6)(ii):  The employer shall certify that the periodic inspections have been performed. The certification shall identify the machine or equipment on which the energy control procedure was being utilized, the date of the inspection, the employees included in the inspection, and the person performing the inspection.  The employer did not certify the periodic inspection to include the date of the inspection, employees included in the inspection, nor the person performing the inspection was accomplished.

Issued

2021-07-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-08-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(iv):  The employer shall certify that employee training has been accomplished and is being kept up to date. The certification shall contain each employee's name and dates of training.  The employer did not certify the completion of the authorized and affected employee training provided under the hazardous energy control program.