OSHA Inspection: ADMIRAL, DIVISION OF THE MAYTAG CO.

Issued

Oct 13, 1988

Abate by

Dec 31, 1988

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $450 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:
Employees are required to walk on a wire surface under the overhead
conveyor line in Department 202 in order to retrieve plastic
refrigerator parts that fall off the conveyor hooks. This wire
surface is approximately 10 years old, sags and is torn loose at the
angle iron connecting spots, has holes in it, and is approximately
11' above the work floor. Employees are required to walk on 12" wide
boards and step onto the wire to retrieve the parts.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct
this hazard is:
1) The breakage of the wire mesh from the supporting frame and severe
deformation make the entire angle iron structure, wire mesh material,
and method of attaching the mesh to the frames, suspect. The
employees shall stand on ladders and/or working platforms and, using
rakes, and without going onto the screen, shall pull/push fallen
parts to the boarders of the catch frames and remove them.
2) A Professional Engineer (PE) shall observe, take appropriate
measurements, and determine the allowable loading of the catch frames
by using a safety factor of not less than 5.0. If needed, the PE
shall specify materials, connection methods, and rebuilding required
to allow 250 lb. workers to safely walk onto the catch frames; along
with parts that may also have fallen onto the catch frames.
3) If needed, the employer shall perform specified catch frame
modifications. The employer shall repair all broken catch frames.
4) Workers may walk on catch frames to retrieve fallen parts from under
the conveyors.
5) The employer shall perform routine inspections of the catch frames.
Corrective maintenance measures shall be conducted to insure that all
the catch frames and their safety features are retained and function
properly.

Issued

Sep 29, 1988

Abate by

Nov 3, 1988

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $350 Reduced

Issued

Sep 29, 1988

Abate by

Nov 3, 1988

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $350 Reduced

Issued

Sep 29, 1988

Abate by

Nov 10, 1988

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $375 Reduced

Issued

Sep 29, 1988

Abate by

Nov 25, 1988

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $375 Reduced

Issued

Sep 29, 1988

Abate by

Oct 4, 1988

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $400 Reduced