OSHA Inspection: PRODUCTS UNLIMITED, INC.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12769.00 · Current $12769.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i): Except as provided elsewhere in this section 29 CFR 1910.28, the employer did not ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by one or more of the systems described in 29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i):  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in maintenance related operations located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131 were exposed to fall hazards in that employees were required to access the top of the Thermal Bonding Ovens on production lines 4 and 5 to replace filters, perform preventive maintenance on motors/belts, and to turn the gas on/off for the oven. Employees were exposed to heights greater than 6 feet 4 inches. The ovens are not protected by guard rails or fall restraint devices. Instances of exposure include but are not limited to:   i. During the evening shift, where the employees are climbing onto Oven 2 on line 4 to replace filters, perform preventive maintenance on motors/belts.   ii. During the evening shift, where the employees are climbing onto Ovens 1 and 2 on line 5 to replace filters, perform preventive maintenance on motors/belts.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12769.00 · Current $12769.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.30(a)(1): The employer did not provide training for each employee who uses personal fall protection systems or who is required to be trained as specified elsewhere in this subpart before any employee is exposed to a fall hazard.   On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in maintenance related operations located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131 were exposed to fall hazards in that employees were required to access the top of the ovens on production lines 4 and 5 to replace filters, perform preventive maintenance on motors/belts, and to turn the gas on/off for the oven without having been trained by the employer on:  i. The nature of fall hazards and how to recognize them. ii. The procedures to be followed to minimize those hazards. iii. The correct procedures for installing, inspecting, operating, maintaining, and disassembling the personal fall protection systems that the employee should use.   The employer's failure to provide the employees with fall protection training exposed them to fall hazards greater than 6 feet 4 inches.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12769.00 · Current $12769.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(d)(3)(iii): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not develop and implement the means, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations, including isolating the permit space:  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in cleaning and maintenance activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, were exposed to respiratory, mechanical and thermal hazards. The employer had employees entering ovens 1 and 2 on lines 4 and 5 without having developed and implemented the means, procedures and practices by which the employees could enter these Permit Required Confined Spaces safely, including, but not limited to, ensuring the gas fuel to the ovens was isolated to prevent inadvertent start up.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(e)(1): Before entry was authorized, the employer did not document the completion of measures required by 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3) by preparing an entry permit:   On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in cleaning and maintenance activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, were exposed to respiratory, mechanical and thermal hazards while working within spaces containing potentially hazardous atmospheres. Employees were entering ovens 1 and 2 on lines 4 and 5 without isolating the natural gas. Employees were required to clean and perform maintenance on the ovens. The employer did not develop, implement, and issue Permit Required Entry Space permits prior to employees accessing ovens 1 and 2 on lines 4 and 5  Note:  Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.146 presents examples of permits whose elements are considered to comply with these requirements.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12769.00 · Current $12769.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(5): Permit-required confined space(s) were not evaluated as required under (d)(5)(i) through (d)(5)(vi) of this paragraph when entry operations were conducted.  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in cleaning and maintenance activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, were exposed to respiratory, mechanical hazards related to moving parts, gears, chains and sprockets as part of the conveyor system as well as thermal hazards related to heating elements while working within spaces containing potentially hazardous atmospheres in that the employer had employees entering ovens 1 and 2 on both lines 4 and 5 to clean and perform maintenance without having first tested the air quality.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12769.00 · Current $12769.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(g)(1): The employer did not provide training so that all employees whose work was regulated by 29 CFR 1910.146, Permit required confined spaces, acquired the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties.  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in cleaning and maintenance activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, were exposed to respiratory, mechanical hazards related to moving parts, gears, chains and sprockets as part of the conveyor system as well as thermal hazards related to heating elements in that the employer has employees entering ovens 1 and 2 on lines 4 and 5 to clean and maintenance them without having been provided permit require confined space training.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(g)(4):   The employer shall certify that the training required by paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(3) of this section has been accomplished. The certification shall contain each employee's name, the signatures or initials of the trainers, and the dates of training. The certification shall be available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives.  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in cleaning and maintenance activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, were exposed to respiratory, mechanical hazards related to moving parts, gears, chains and sprockets as part of the conveyor system as well as thermal hazards related to heating elements in that the employer has employees entering ovens 1 and 2 on lines 4 and 5 without having certified that the employees were trained in accordance with this subpart on the hazards inherent to permit required confined space entry.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12769.00 · Current $12769.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(k)(3): To facilitate non-entry rescue, retrieval systems or methods shall be used whenever an authorized entrant enters a permit space, unless the retrieval equipment would increase the overall risk of entry or would not contribute to the rescue of the entrant.    On or about December 18, 2025, the employer allowed employees to enter permit required confined spaces (PRCS) that include, but were not limited to, Ovens 1 and2 on Line(s) 4 and 5 without the use of retrieval equipment as described in their permit required confined space program.  Authorized employees enter Ovens 1 and 2 to perform routine cleaning and maintenance on various mechanical equipment inside the oven that includes lubricating bearing, chains, and sprockets.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16550.00 · Current $16550.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): Procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy.   On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in cleaning and maintenance activity located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, were exposed to unexpected release of hazardous energy sources in that the employer failed to clearly and specifically outline techniques and rules to be used for the control of hazardous energy. Instances of inaccurate or deficient procedures include but are not limited to:   i. Line 4 - Distributor/Opener Tower and Fan.  ii Line 4- Blend Conveyor, Feeder, & Pre-Opener.  iii. Line 4 -1st Oven Apron, Heaters, and Fans.  iv. Line 4 - 2nd Oven Apron, Burner, & Fans. v. Line 5 - K-12 & K-12 Suction Fans.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(ii): The employer did not certify that the periodic inspections have been performed:  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in production and maintenance activity located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, were exposed to unexpected release of hazardous energy sources in that the employer failed to conduct periodic inspections. Instances of exposure include but are not limited to:   i. Line 4 - Distributor/Opener Tower and Fan.  ii. Line 4- Blend Conveyor, Feeder, & Pre-Opener.  iii. Line 4 -1st Oven Apron, Heaters, and Fans.  iv. Line 4 - 2nd Oven Apron, Burner, & Fans. v. Line 5 - K-12 & K-12 Suction Fans.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16550.00 · Current $16550.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(ii): Group lockout or tagout devices were not used in accordance with procedures required by 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4):   Instance a:  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in maintenance related activity located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, were exposed to amputation and caught between hazards in that the employer has employees clearing jammed fabric from the Distributor/Opener Tower and Fan on Line 4 without having affixed their own locks to the electrical energy source as means of securing the energy isolation.   Instance b:  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in cleaning and maintenance activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, were exposed to respiratory, mechanical and thermal hazards while working within spaces containing potentially hazardous atmospheres. The employer has employees working on and in ovens 1 and 2 on lines 4 and 5 without having had affixed their locks to the gas LOTO points ensuring isolation of the fuel which powers the ovens.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $10214.00 · Current $10214.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l):  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in material handling activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, were exposed to struck-by hazards in that employees were operating forklifts prior to receiving forklift training.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6): The employer did not certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by this paragraph (l):  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in material handling activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, were exposed to struck-by hazards in that the employer failed to certify each employee was provided training on operating forklifts as outlined in this subpart prior to operating forklift throughout the facility.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16550.00 · Current $16550.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3):Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven (7) feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in production activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, were exposed to caught-in and crushing hazards in that the employer had employees working on and near multiple unguarded chains and sprockets, less than 7 feet above the floor and not guarded from operational necessity or inadvertence. Instances of exposure include but are not limited to:   i. The left side of the compression apron on line #5.  ii. The left and right side of the apron at the end of line #3.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16550.00 · Current $16550.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i)(A): Except as elsewhere required or permitted by Subpart S of Part 1910, live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more were not guarded against accidental contact by use of approved cabinets or by location in a room, vault, or similar enclosure that is accessible only to qualified persons:   On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in maintenance and production activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131 were exposed to electrical hazards in that the employer failed to ensure electrical enclosures were secured as to prevent the unauthorized access. This failure resulted in the employer having unqualified employees accessing energized electrical enclosures to flip breakers and reset VFDs. Instance of exposure include but are not limited to:   i. Electrical enclosure #512 on line 5.  ii. Electrical enclosure #408 in front of line 4.  iii. Electrical control panel #409 in front of line 4.  iv. Electrical enclosure #406 in front of line 4.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16550.00 · Current $16550.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(b)(1)(i): Openings through which conductors entered cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in production activities located 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131 were exposed to fire hazards in that unprotected energized electrical components were present on or near line 3 production line/oven. Instances of exposure include but are not limited to:         i. Line 3 oven sensor had damaged Class II conduit and was exposing 120V internal electrical insulated wiring.  ii. Line 3 motor had damaged Class II conduit and was exposing 480V internal electrical insulated wiring.  iii. Line 3 back side of the oven sensor had standard electrical connections exposed 120V bare internal wiring.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16550.00 · Current $16550.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.332(b)(1):Employees were not trained in and familiar with the safety-related work practices required by 1910.331 through 1910.335 that pertained to their respective job assignments:  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in maintenance and production activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131 were exposed to electrical hazards in that the employer did not provide electrical training to employees prior to allowing them access energized electrical enclosures. Instance of exposure include but are not limited to:   i. Electrical enclosure #512 on line 5.  ii. Electrical enclosure #408 in front of line 4.  iii. Electrical control panel #409 in front of line 4.  iv. Electrical enclosure #406 in front of line 4.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i):Employees working in areas where there were potential electrical hazards were not provided with electrical protective equipment that was appropriate for the specific parts of the body that needed to be protected and for the work being performed:  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in maintenance and production activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131 were exposed to electrical hazards in that the employer did not provide employees with electrically rated PPE such as gloves, sleeves, and ARC flash protection prior to allowing employees access energized electrical enclosures. Instance of exposure include but are not limited to:   i. Electrical enclosure #512 on line 5.  ii. Electrical enclosure #408 in front of line 4.  iii. Electrical control panel #409 in front of line 4.  iv. Electrical enclosure #406 in front of line 4.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(2)(i):When working near exposed energized conductors or circuit parts, each employee did not use insulated tools or handling equipment when the tools or handling equipment might have made contact with such conductors or parts:  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in maintenance and production activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131 were exposed to electrical hazards in that the employer did not provide employees with insulated tools prior to allowing them access energized electrical enclosures. Instance of exposure include but are not limited to:   i. Electrical enclosure #512 on line 5.  ii. Electrical enclosure #408 in front of line 4.  iii. Electrical control panel #409 in front of line 4.  iv. Electrical enclosure #406 in front of line 4.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(2)(ii):Protective shields, protective barriers, or insulating materials were not used to protect each employee from shock, burns, or other electrically related injuries while that employee was working near exposed energized parts.  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in maintenance and production activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131 were exposed to electrical hazards in that the employer did not provide protective shields, barriers, or insulated tools prior to allowing employees access energized electrical enclosures. Instance of exposure include but are not limited to:   i. Electrical enclosure #512 on line 5.  ii. Electrical enclosure #408 in front of line 4.  iii. Electrical control panel #409 in front of line 4.  iv. Electrical enclosure #406 in front of line 4.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $35748.00 · Current $35748.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Authorized employee(s) did not receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation.   On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in maintenance activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131 were exposed to amputation hazards in that the employer has employees performing operations under the scope of lockout/tag out who have not been trained according to the standard. The employees work on equipment such as but not limited to Line Four and the Distributor Machine while in full operation. The activities include unjamming the machine, adjusting product while the machine is in operation, and failing to ensure that all sources of energy are addressed and neutralized as part of the lockout process. As a result, an employee suffered a severe hand injury while attempting to retrieve a piece of fabric on distributor/opener tower and fan while the machine was in operation.  Complete Media Filter Media, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.147 (c)(7)(i)(A) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1502601, citation number 1, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on 3-3-21, with respect to a workplace located at 410 S Ewing Street, Lancaster, Ohio 43215.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $35748.00 · Current $35748.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): Application of control. The established procedures for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) shall cover the following elements and actions and shall be done in the following sequence:  Instance 1: On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in production activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131 were exposed to amputation hazards in that the employer failed to implement energy control application steps while allowing employees to clear jammed fabric near the point of operation (on the front side/at the slitters), on each side of line 4 while it was in full operation and actively running.  Instance 2: On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in maintenance related activity located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, were exposed to amputation and caught between hazards in that the employer has employees clearing jammed fabric from the Distributor/Opener Tower and Fan on Line 4 without having affixed their own locks to the electrical energy source as means of securing the energy isolation.   Instance 3: On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in maintenance related activity located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, were exposed to electrical shock hazards, mechanical hazards related to moving parts, gears, chains and sprockets as part of the conveyor system as well as thermal hazards related to heating elements in that the employer has employees working on and in ovens 1 and 2 on lines 4 and 5 without having had affixed their locks to the gas LOTO points ensuring isolation of the fuel which powers the ovens.  Complete Media Filter Media, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.147(d), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1502601, citation number 1, item number 3 and was affirmed as a final order on 3-3-21, with respect to a workplace located at 410 S Ewing Street, Lancaster, Ohio 43215.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $35748.00 · Current $35748.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1):One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:  Instance 1  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in production activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, were exposed amputation hazards in that the employer failed to ensure line 4, specifically from K-12 to the front side slitters was not guarded in such a manner that it would prevent the employees from reaching into and near the point of operation as they adjust fabric and residual scraps of fabric that are being pulled into the vacuum located directly below the front side of the slitters  while the machine is in full operation.   Instance 2   On or about December 18th, 2025 employees engaged in production activities at the facility located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131 were exposed to amputation and caught between hazards in that the employer had employees preparing line 5 for start-up without having ensured the machine was guarded against inadvertent contact while they feed fabric through the rollers. The result of this failure was an employee's arm getting caught in the two rollers.   Products Unlimited, Inc was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.212(A)(1)which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1578367, citation number 1, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on 5-31-2022, with respect to a workplace located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(a)(2)(i)(B):Temporary wiring was used for a period exceeding 90 days.  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in production activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, were exposed to fire hazards in that a flexible cord was supplying power to a fan that was facing Line 4. The flexible cord had been plugged in continuously for at least year.

Issued

2026-06-02 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(D):Flexible cords were attached to building surfaces:  On or about December 18th, 2025, employees engaged in production activities located at 915 North 43rd Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, were exposed to fire hazards in that a flexible cord was supplying power to a fan that was facing Line 4. The flexible cord had been plugged in continuously for at least year and it was attached to building surfaces.