OSHA Inspection: SEARS AUTOMOTIVE CENTER

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Nov 20, 1991

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · Current $1,125 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 crushing injuries caused by the unexpected lowering of
automotive lifts, in the event of loss system pressure or accidental
actuation of lift controls.  At the 9701 Metcalf, Overland Park,
Kansas, Sears Automotive Center, vehicle lifts were found to be defec-
tive as follows:
(a)  Lift #10 - Vehicle lift safety latch was inoperable when the
lift was fully raised due to severe corrosion between the safety
latch and guide post.
(b)  Lift #11 - Vehicle lift safety latch was inoperable when the
lift was fully raised.  The lift guide post which actuates the
safety device was attached to the lift, but the safety latch was
not attached.
(c)  Lift #19 - Vehicle lift safety latch was inoperable when the
lift was raised.  The lift guide post which actuates the safety
device was attached to the lift, but the safety latch was not
attached.
While ultimate responsibility for correcting the hazards rests
with the employer given his/her superior knowledge of the work-
place, feasible and acceptable methods of correct this hazard,
among others, are to provide adequate safety devices on all lifts
and to have lifts inspected and maintained regularly in accordance
with the manufacturer's recommendations and ANSI/ALI B153.1-1990.
Essential elements would include:
(1)  Develop and implement a visual inspection on vehicle
lifts to assure that they are in safe operating condition
at the beginning of each shift.
(2)  Develop and implement a periodic inspection in ac-
cordance with manufacturer's procedures and recommendations.
(3)  Develop and implement maintenance procedures in ac-
cordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
(4)  Prohibit use of defective lifts until repairs can be
completed.
The alleged violations below have been grouped because they involve
similar or related hazards that may increase the potential for illness
and/or injury.

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Nov 20, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,350 · Current $675 Reduced

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Nov 20, 1991

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Dec 9, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,350 · Current $675 Reduced

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Dec 9, 1991

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Nov 8, 1991