OSHA Inspection: FIORE PONTIAC GMC TRUCKS

Issued

Feb 28, 1995

Abate by

Mar 3, 1995

Penalty

Initial $375 · Current $188 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 falling loads:
(a)Mechanical repair shop, wheel alignment rack and
hydraulic lift; The lift had been modified by welding the
rack to it but there was no information available
indicating this had been performed in accordance with the
manufacturer's specifications, written consent or in
keeping with American Welding Society codes. Subsequently
the safe load capacity is unknown. In addition the safety
pin could not be inserted in the lift safety bar since
the pin insert hole was hidden from access beneath the
floor when the alignment/lift combination was used in the
lowered position. Also the use of "bottle" jacks to raise
automobile tires off the alignment rack by placement of
the jacks on a "U" channel constituted an unsafe
practice. Loose and wobbly stabilizers (pedestals) on the
alignment rack increased the instability of automobile
loads supported by the lift.  (1-8-95)
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods to
correct this hazard are:
1.Discontinue the practice of lifting the alignment
rack high above the floor and perform alignments with the
rack sitting on the floor.
2.Replace the current alignment rack with a new one.
3.Evaluate job procedures and establish safe work practices
such as more stable methods of lifting tires above the
rack rather than current jack usage.