Streamline Passes OSHA Inspection With Flying Colors

May 9, 2019by cbmadmin

In accordance with OSHA’s National Emphasis Program on Amputations, Streamline got a surprise visit from an OSHA inspector earlier this week.

We’re proud to report Streamline Industries passed the inspection with no violations or warnings.

Amputations accounted for a large proportion of severe workplace injuries last year, the first in which employers were required to report such accidents within 24 hours. Nationwide, there were 2,644 amputations, OSHA said.


Streamline’s Shop Got a Surprise OSHA inspection this week


Last year, federal safety officials cited a West Monroe, La. company for failing to protect workers from amputation hazards. The company was fined $84,000.

During the walkthrough of our shop:

  • She checked the guard gap on the bench grinders
  • She verified that chuck guards were in place on all machines
  • She verified the crane controls were properly labeled
  • She verified the horizontal band saw guards were in place
  • She verified fire extinguishers were present and current on inspections
  • She verified piping in the shop was labeled

The inspector commented multiple times on the cleanliness of Streamline’s shop and the ease of the inspection compared to other locations she has visited.

Also as part of the inspection, Streamline presented the OSHA represented with:

  • OSHA 300 & 300A logs (summarizing every work-related injury or illness)
  • The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tag out), which covers machines and equipment in which the unexpected start-up could harm employees
  • Welding and Cutting, Safety Meetings, Employee Training and Disciplinary policies from Streamline’s Written Safety Program, along with training records on the Forklift and Lockout/Tag out.

Our OSHA inspector informed us that we can expect an inspection every couple of years.

She also told us about the OSHA Small Business Assistance program, which provides OSHA resources to small businesses. These resources include safety and health tools and publications, easy-to-follow guides for specific OSHA standards, and descriptions of benefits that small businesses receive from OSHA.

How Streamline Avoids High-Risk Activities

Amputations are widespread and involve a variety of activities and equipment. Each year, thousands of workers lose fingers, hands, feet, and other body parts–mostly through compression, crushing, or by getting them caught between or struck by objects. Most amputations involve fingertips.

Amputations occur most often when the following equipment is unguarded or inadequately safeguarded:

  • Mechanical power presses
  • Power press brakes
  • Powered and non-powered conveyors
  • Printing presses
  • Roll-forming and roll-bending machines
  • Food slicers
  • Meat grinders
  • Band saws
  • Drill presses
  • Milling machines
  • Shears, grinders, and slitters
  • Table and portable saws

Streamline takes its responsibility to provide a safe workplace very seriously. Employers must protect workers from amputation hazards through adequate guarding and employee training on how to do the job safely. The best way to prevent amputations caused by stationary or portable machinery is with machine safeguarding:

  • Guards provide physical barriers to hazardous areas. They should be secure and strong, and workers should not be able to bypass, remove, or tamper with them. Guards should not obstruct the operator’s view or prevent others from working.
  • Devices help prevent contact with points of operation and may replace or supplement guards. Devices can interrupt the normal cycle of the machine when the operator’s hands are at the point of operation.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.