OSHA Inspection: GENWOVE U.S. LTD.

Issued

Jan 17, 2001

Abate by

Feb 20, 2001

Penalty

Initial $2,275 · Current $2,275

General-duty citation text

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety
and Health Act of North Carolina:  The employer did not furnish to
each of his employees conditions of 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:
a)warehouse area, employees were exposed to
struck-by and caught in between hazards from a
roof collapse.  A dust collection system was
ran on top of the roof of the building
approximately 150 yards.  The 12" diameter
pipe contained wood chips and sawdust which
ran to a collection bin and cyclone system.
On December 21, 2000, a section of the pipe
separated which caused the wood chips and
sawdust to blow and collect on top of the
roof.  A 28' x 45' section of the metal roof
collapsed.  A similar incident occurred
approximately 2.5 years earlier in the same
area of the roof.  The employer did not take
measures to prevent incident from re-
occurring, did not calculate the load rating
and exposed employees to the hazard of the
collapsing roof.
b)sample room area of warehouse, employees were
exposed to struck-by and caught in between
hazards from a roof collapse.  The employer
stored files, records, filing cabinets, and
other miscellaneous items on top of the
interior building/office where the sample room
was located.  The building was 24' x 26' where
5 employees worked.  On December 27, 2000, the
roof of the building collapsed due to being
overloaded.  When the building was
constructed, the employer did not calculate
the load rating before storing items on top of
the building, exposing the employees to the
hazard of the collapsing roof.
NOTE:  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to
abate this hazard includes the following:
1- Redesign, reposition, and remove the dust
collection system from the roof of the
building.  Support the pipe from ground
level supports.
2-  Construct and design system per NFPA 91-
Standard for Exhaust Systems for Air
Conveying of Materials and ANSI Z9.2-
American National Standard FundamentalsGoverning the Design and Operation
of
Local Exhaust Systems.
3-  Ensure that every building or other
structure used for mercantile, business,
industrial, or storage purposes are load
rated.  Do not overload the rated
capacity.

Issued

Jan 17, 2001

Abate by

Feb 20, 2001

Penalty

Initial $2,275