OSHA Inspection: MESA TILE & STONE, INC.

Issued

Sep 21, 2004

Abate by

Oct 4, 2004

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,000 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 was free from
recognized hazards that
were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that
employees were exposed to the hazard of being crushed by natural stone
slabs during manual
handling of the slabs:
Or in the Alternative
29 CFR 1910.176(b): Materials were not stored in a manner to prevent the
creation of the
hazard of sliding or collapse:
(a) Stone Yard, on August 11, 2004 and at times prior thereto, employees
were
exposed to the hazard of being crushed by approximately 1200 pounds of
natural stone slabs while manually handling slabs stored in an "A" frame
rack.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct
this
hazard is to :
(1)Institute and enforce a policy in which employees are prohibited from
standing
in the danger zone of unstable and/or hand-supported stone slabs. Use of a
pinch bar and wedge as recommended by the ABACO Lifter Operation Manual
will assist in keeping the employee out of the danger zone.
(2)Support the slabs with heavy nylon straps wrapped around the entire "A"
frame rack until the slab is securely supported with the mechanical lifting
device.
(3)Use the pneumatic slab lifting device to lift slabs, eliminating the
need for
employees to hold them while standing in the danger zone.
Note: Abatement certification and supporting documentation are required
for this item.