OSHA Inspection: SAWBROOK STEEL CASTING, LLC

Issued

2023-09-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9297.00 · Current $5950.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a): General requirements.  29 CFR  1910.215(a)(1):Machine guarding. Abrasive wheels shall be used only on machines provided with safety guards as defined in the following paragraphs of this section  a) On or about June 23, 2023, employee1 was performing grinding duties on the outside of a cast carbon steel bearing journal in work station 3 while utilizing an unguarded Dobco Top Cat pneumatic hand grinder (unnumbered) with a 6 inch diameter silica composite grinding wheel, exposing them to struck-by flying object hazards when the grinding wheel exploded, resulting in employee1's death.  b) On or about June 23, 2023, employee2 was performing grinding duties on the outside of a cast carbon steel part in work station 2 while utilizing an unguarded Dobco Top Cat pneumatic hand grinder (grinder 4) with a 6 inch diameter silica composite grinding wheel, exposing them to struck-by flying object hazards.   c) On or about June 23, 2023, employee2 was performing grinding duties on the outside of a cast carbon steel part in work station 2 while utilizing an unguarded Dobco Top Cat pneumatic hand grinder (grinder 5) with a 6 inch diameter silica composite grinding wheel, exposing them to struck-by flying object hazards.   d) On or about June 23, 2023, employee3 was performing grinding duties on the outside of a cast carbon steel part in work station 4 while utilizing an unguarded Dobco Top Cat pneumatic hand grinder (grinder 8) with a 6 inch diameter silica composite grinding wheel, exposing them to struck-by flying object hazards.   e) On or about June 23, 2023, employee3 was performing grinding duties on the outside of a cast carbon steel part in work station 4 while utilizing an unguarded Dobco Top Cat pneumatic hand grinder (grinder 9) with a 6 inch diameter silica composite grinding wheel, exposing them to struck-by flying object hazards.  f) On or about June 23, 2023, employee3 was performing grinding duties on the outside of a cast carbon steel part in work station 4 while utilizing an unguarded Dobco Top Cat pneumatic hand grinder (grinder 11) with a 6 inch diameter silica composite grinding wheel, exposing them to struck-by flying object hazards.

Issued

2023-09-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.243(c): Portable abrasive wheels -  29 CFR  1910.243(c)(1): General requirements. Abrasive wheels shall be used only on machine provided with safety guards as defined in paragraph (c) (1) through (4) of this section.  a) On or about June 23, 2023, employee1 was performing grinding duties on the outside of a cast carbon steel bearing journal in work station 3 while utilizing an unguarded Dobco Top Cat pneumatic hand grinder (unnumbered) with a 6 inch diameter silica composite grinding wheel, exposing them to struck-by flying object hazards when the grinding wheel exploded, resulting in employee1's death.  b) On or about June 23, 2023, employee2 was performing grinding duties on the outside of a cast carbon steel part in work station 2 while utilizing an unguarded Dobco Top Cat pneumatic hand grinder (grinder 4) with a 6 inch diameter silica composite grinding wheel, exposing them to struck-by flying object hazards.   c) On or about June 23, 2023, employee2 was performing grinding duties on the outside of a cast carbon steel part in work station 2 while utilizing an unguarded Dobco Top Cat pneumatic hand grinder (grinder 5) with a 6 inch diameter silica composite grinding wheel, exposing them to struck-by flying object hazards.   d) On or about June 23, 2023, employee3 was performing grinding duties on the outside of a cast carbon steel part in work station 4 while utilizing an unguarded Dobco Top Cat pneumatic hand grinder (grinder 8) with a 6 inch diameter silica composite grinding wheel, exposing them to struck-by flying object hazards.   e) On or about June 23, 2023, employee3 was performing grinding duties on the outside of a cast carbon steel part in work station 4 while utilizing an unguarded Dobco Top Cat pneumatic hand grinder (grinder 9) with a 6 inch diameter silica composite grinding wheel, exposing them to struck-by flying object hazards.  f) On or about June 23, 2023, employee3 was performing grinding duties on the outside of a cast carbon steel part in work station 4 while utilizing an unguarded Dobco Top Cat pneumatic hand grinder (grinder 11) with a 6 inch diameter silica composite grinding wheel, exposing them to struck-by flying object hazards.

Issued

2023-09-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-10-03 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9297.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b): Guarding of abrasive wheel machinery -  29 CFR  1910.215(b)(9):Exposure adjustment. Safety guards of the types described in Subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this paragraph, where the operator stands in front of the opening, shall be constructed so that the peripheral protecting member can be adjusted to the constantly decreasing diameter of the wheel. The maximum angular exposure above the horizontal plane of the wheel spindle as specified in paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this section shall never be exceeded, and the distance between the wheel periphery and the adjustable tongue or the end of the peripheral member at the top shall never exceed one-fourth inch. (See Figures O-18, O-19, O-20, O-21, O-22, and O-23.)  a) On or about June 26, 2023, an employee performing grinding duties on a cast carbon steel part in work station 4 while utilizing the yellow standing grinder was exposed to struck-by flying object hazards in that the distance from the edge of the right grinding wheel to the peripheral member was 0.625 inches, and the distance from the edge of the left grinding wheel to the peripheral member was 1.25 inches.

Issued

2023-09-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-10-03 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9297.00 · Current $5950.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(d): Mounting -  29 CFR  1910.215(d)(1):Inspection. Immediately before mounting, all wheels shall be closely inspected and sounded by the user (ring test) to make sure they have not been damaged in transit, storage, or otherwise. The spindle speed of the machine shall be checked before mounting of the wheel to be certain that it does not exceed the maximum operating speed marked on the wheel. Wheels should be tapped gently with a light nonmetallic implement, such as the handle of a screwdriver for light wheels, or a wooden mallet for heavier wheels. If they sound cracked (dead), they shall not be used. This is known as the "Ring Test".  a) On or about June 23, 2023, employees operated unguarded Dobco Top Cat pneumatic hand grinders with 6 inch silica composite wheels without performing ring tests, exposing employees to struck-by hazards.  b) On or about June 26, 2023, employees operated a standing grinder with approximately 9 inch silica composite wheels without performing ring tests, exposing employees to struck-by hazards.

Issued

2023-09-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-10-03 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.243(c): Portable abrasive wheels -  29 CFR  1910.243(c)(5)(i):Immediately before mounting, all wheels shall be closely inspected and sounded by the user (ring test, see Subpart O, 1910.215(d)(1)) to make sure they have not been damaged in transit, storage, or otherwise. The spindle speed of the machine shall be checked before mounting of the wheel to be certain that it does not exceed the maximum operating speed marked on the wheel.  a) On or about June 23, 2023, employees operated unguarded Dobco Top Cat pneumatic hand grinders with 6 inch silica composite wheels without performing ring tests, exposing employees to struck-by hazards.  b) On or about June 26, 2023, employees operated a standing grinder with approximately 9 inch silica composite wheels without performing ring tests, exposing employees to struck-by hazards.