OSHA Inspection: CHRISTMAS TREE SHOPS

Issued

Sep 7, 2005

Abate by

Sep 19, 2005

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $5,000

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 a falling hazard while working on a damaged plastic step
stool.
a.Display area of store - On or about 5/2/05, employees were exposed to
the hazard
of falling while working from a damaged "Handy 2-Step" plastic step stool.
Abatement Note:  One feasible method of abatement, among others, would be
to
establish and implement a program and training on selection, care, and use
of ladder type
step stools.  While developing a program, assistance can be found in ANSI
Standard
A14.5-2000, American Standard for Ladders - Portable Reinforced Plastic -
Safety
Requirements. Selection shall be, as a minimum, a Type I industrial, heavy
duty stool
with a working load of 250 lbs. Care includes a thorough inspection when
the stool is
first purchased and periodic inspections, preferably before each use.
Where structural
damage or other hazardous defects are found, the stool shall be taken out
of service and
destroyed or repaired by a competent mechanic.  Stools must be handled
with care and
not be subjected to dropping, jarring, or misuse. Any variation from the
intended purpose
of the stool constitutes a mishandling of the equipment.