OSHA Inspection: HAGER WOOD PRESERVING

Issued

Jun 8, 1988

Abate by

Jun 24, 1988

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $320 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: 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 in that employees were exposed to:
...the hazard of being caught in, crushing and/or amputation, when
performing clearing of jams, cleaning of the lift pit, or maintenance
on the lumber stacking machine where the main power disconnect was
not locked out to prevent accidental activation of the machine.
In the establishment the employer did not provide an adequate program
nor were employees adequately trained in the recognition of hazards,
safe shutdown of the machine and reducing the machine to Zero
Mechanical Energy State as evident by operation of the lumber
slacking machine.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptale abatement method to
correct this hazard is to establish and enforce an adequate plant
lockout procedure such as that stipulated by ANSI Z244.1-1982, Section 4
and 5, American National Standard of Minimum Safety Requirements for
Lockout/Tagout of Energy Sources for Personnel Protection. Essential
elements of the lockout procedure would include:
1) Analyze all machines and determine the thermal, electrical,
mechanical, and nip points hazards which are present. Establish and
document the procedures which will be used in performing maintenance
and operation of machines.
2) At the start of work, switch off and use a worker individual lock on
the electric control switch to prevent re-energizing the machine.
After switch off, assure that the electric circuits are proven de-
energized, a unique and situation information tag shall be attached
to the lock and machine energizing control. This lock provision
shall not be required where the worker by his immediate proximity
to the electrical control switch (within reach) prevents inadvertent
switch on by others.
3) All other fluid energy power sources which can produce movements of
machine members shall be locked off. Pressurized fluids (air or
liquid) shall be closed off from the machine through the use of shut
off valves, and the supply lines toward the machines reduced in
pressure to atmosphere or the machine blocked against possible
movement. All pressure-fluid accumulators and air surge tanks within
the machine shall be reduced to atmospheric pressure or the machine
blocked against possible movement. All machine temperature and
pressure sensors and gauges shall be maintained to always provide
an accurate status reading of the machine.
4) All mechanical gravity fall potential energy within the machine shall
be reduced to zero, or as nearly so as possible, by lowering elevated
machine parts to the floor, solid surfaces or by cribbing and
blocking them to prevent the machine parts from falling.
5) All mechanical kinetic rotating machine energy within the machine
shall be reduced to zero, or as nearly as possible, by slowing the
rotating parts to a stop. In the alternate the worker shall be
guarded from the rotating parts by installing temporary guards. Loose
machine parts including machine parts, arms, knives, etc., shall be
blocked or secured to prevent possible injury to workers.
6) Establish written procedures designed to instruct and train employees
in recognition of hazards and proper safe shutdown of machines.
Disclaimers:
a) The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested by
OSHA;
b) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all
cases; and
c) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
effective abatement method.

Issued

May 13, 1988

Abate by

Jun 20, 1988

Penalty

Initial $240

Issued

May 13, 1988

Abate by

May 31, 1988

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $100 Reduced

Issued

May 13, 1988

Abate by

May 31, 1988

Issued

May 13, 1988

Abate by

Jun 20, 1988

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $200 Reduced

Issued

May 13, 1988

Abate by

May 16, 1988

Penalty

Initial $160 · Current $80 Reduced

Issued

May 13, 1988

Abate by

May 31, 1988

Issued

May 13, 1988

Abate by

May 31, 1988

Issued

May 13, 1988

Abate by

May 31, 1988

Issued

May 13, 1988

Abate by

Jun 20, 1988