OSHA Inspection: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Issued

Mar 27, 2003

Abate by

Apr 1, 2003

Penalty

Initial $2,975 · Current $1,800 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 physical harm to employees in that
employees were
exposed to flying plastic projectiles due to an excessive operating
pressure in excess of 100
psi as referenced in ANSI/ASME B31.8-1999.  Among other methods, one
feasible and
accepted means to correct this hazard is to replace the current PVC
compressed air piping
system with materials suitable for maximum air pressure such as metal
pipes or approved
hose reels:
At the Wal-Mart Auto Shop, 1530 W. Highway 50, O'Fallon, IL, 62269, two
1/2"
PVC lines were facilitated in the transportation of compressed air at an
operating
pressure of 150 psi supplied by a Champion Air Compressor, Model VR10-12,
Serial
R3057458, 120 gal. capacity, operating pressure 140 - 175 psi.  At the
fourth
overhead door from the south, the employer facilitated a Rotary Lift,
Model SP088,
Serial L670572, which had PVC air drops on both the north and south sides
measuring 10' horizontal coupled to PVC unions and 12' vertical drop to
the points of
operation.  A Steelman 1/2" drive pneumatic impact wrench, Serial 0207131,
was
facilitated by exposed employees at the point of operation.  The above
stated hazard
presented a potential for PVC explosion with likely lacerations to exposed
employees
from plastic shrapnel.