Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 003 Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be 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. Examples of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc. On or about November 30, 2023, the employer did not ensure machine guarding methods were provided or in place for various locations at the SPO. Employees are exposed to point of operation hazards with could result in injuries such as broken bones, burns, crushing injuries, amputations, or death. The following instances were identified: (a) Just to the right of the Squeeze Head (when looking at the Squeeze Head) at the SPO there was guarding (safety-interlocked gate) disabled and open. Beyond the gate there are chain and sprockets at chest/eye level exposed with the guards removed. The machine was in operation while this was observed. (b) CSHO documented a section of the outside perimeter at the SPO with a safety-interlocked gate guard; however, this guarding butts up to a set of stairs that goes up and over a conveyor (left of the safety-interlocked gate guard when looking into the SPO area). There is nothing preventing employees from going up and over the stairs and into the guarded area. The machine was in operation while this was observed. (c) A third safety-interlocked gate guard was observed in the SPO operating area that was disabled and open. Passing through this gate leads to the C-1 Conveyor and A1 Head Carriage. The machine was in operation while this was observed. (d) Just to the right (as looking at the C-1 Conveyor from inside the SPO operating area) is another area with multiple trip hazards that could lead to an employee accessing the point of operation for the machine with no barriers or guards present. The machine was in operation while this was observed. Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).