OSHA Inspection: MIDAS MUFFLER

Issued

Jun 21, 2002

Abate by

Jul 3, 2002

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $525

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 employee(s)
were exposed to the hazard of being struck-by hydraulic lifts that were
not operating properly:
a)Lift Numbers 1 and 3:  For employees operating hydraulic lifts with low
oil levels that
caused the automotive hydraulic lifts to jump and/or slip during
operation.
Among others, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is
to comply
with the Automotive Lift Institute Standard for Automotive Lifts, ALI
ALIOM-1994,
Section 4, Paragraph 4.4.2 which states, "The operator shall use all
applicable safety
features and operate the lift in accordance with the instructions
furnished by the lift
manufacturer."  The manufacturer states in the installation, operation,
and maintenance
instructions for Automotive & Medium Truck Lift Model AC-60H on Page 11,
Item #
63, "Never operate lift if it is jumping due to low oil."
b)Lift Number 6:  The safety lock did not open properly because an
excessive accumulation
of grit, grime, and oil in the mechanism.
Among others, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is
to comply
with ALI ALOIM-1994, Section 4, Paragraph 4.4.3 which states, " The
operator of the
lift shall be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness
of the lift and its
surroundings so that the lift may be safely operated in accordance with
the instructional
and safety materials furnished by the manufacturer.  The manufacturer
states in the
installation, operation, and maintenance instructions for the Mark III Two
Plunger Pad
Lift Model PT20H on Page 5, Maintenance Tips Item # 1, "Always -- Keep
Locking
Latches free and oiled."
c)Lift Number 3:  The safety lock was bent and could not open.
Among others, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is
to comply
with ALI ALOIM-1994, Section 4, Paragraph 4.4.4, Sub-paragraph (5) which
states,
"The lift owner or employer shall take all appropriate steps to follow the
recommended
inspection procedures of the lift manufacturer, but in no event shall the
lift operator fail
to inspect or take notice of the following features on a daily basis: (5)
Deformation or
excessive wear of any of the lift structural components."  The
manufacturer states in the
installation, operation, and maintenance instructions for the Mark III Two
Plunger
Pad
Lift Model PT20H on Page 5, Maintenance Tips Item # 1, "Always -- Keep
Locking
Latches free and oiled."
d)Lifts were not inspected on an annual basis by a qualified inspector.
Among others, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is
to comply
with ALI ALOIM-1994, Section 5, Paragraph 5.5, which states,  "Inspections
by theowner or employer shall follow the recommendations of the lift
manufacturer as to
frequency.  Without  regard to the frequency of inspections specified by
the lift
manufacturer, whether it be weekly, monthly, semi-annually, annually or on
some other
basis, the owner or employer shall ensure that the points presented in
Paragraph 5.6 are
inspected by a qualified lift inspector as a minimum annual requirement."

Issued

Jun 21, 2002

Abate by

Jul 3, 2002

Penalty

Initial $225 · Current $225