OSHA Inspection: POWERLINE MANUFACTURING & SALES LLC

Issued

2025-09-16 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-10-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4965.00 · Current $4965.00

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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:  On or about June 12, 2025, at a worksite located at 137 North Main St. Norwich, Kansas, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards when fabricating workpieces from steel pipe that extended beyond the left side cover for the HwaCheon Hi-ECO 31A CNC lathe. The force generated by the rotating spindle of the lathe can cause a length of pipe extending beyond the left side cover to bend. An employee suffered fatal injuries when the employee was struck-by the portion of a 10' length of 1.5" diameter, mild steel pipe extending beyond the left side cover of the lathe that had bent while the spindle rotated at approximately 400 RPM.  Feasible and acceptable abatement methods include:  - Follow manufacturer recommendations as indicated within the operator manual that states: Do not extend bar material beyond left side cover.   - Follow equipment operator training procedures established in American National Standards Institute Safety Requirements for Turning Centers and Automatic, Numerically Controlled Turning Machines (ANSI B11-2.2-2002, 9.6):   Establish personnel training programs that ensure the following:  Training shall ensure that user personnel associated with turning centers are properly trained in safe working procedures and are qualitied to perform the functions to which they are assigned.  Examples of training program elements include:  ?	Description of the assigned task ?	Function of operator controls to be encountered in performing the assigned task;  ?	Hazards associated with the assigned task;  ?	Designated method of safeguarding; and ?	Methods of function-testing or otherwise assuring the proper function of safeguarding means. The user shall instruct all operators in the set-up and operation of the machine.  Instructions shall include the following requirements: ?	Instruct the operator in the proper method of operation for each production set-up before the machine is placed into production; and ?	Require that all operators demonstrate their knowledge of the proper operation of the machine.  The user shall instruct all set-up personnel in the proper procedures for installing and utilizing fixtures/tooling.  The training shall include:  ?	Following all recommended safety practices and procedures;  ?	Proper safeguarding means and methods;  ?	Removal, transport, and storage of fixtures/tools;  ?	System operation