OSHA Inspection: ANTHONY SMITH DBA SMITH FARMS

Issued

Aug 26, 2005

Abate by

Aug 29, 2005

Penalty

Initial $1,000

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 free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely
to cause death or serious physical harm to employees, in that
employees were exposed to shock hazards from appliances that did
not have a permanent and continuous path to ground:
a)  Employer failed to provide a migrant labor camp in which
the path to ground from refrigerators, washing machines, and air
conditioners were permanent and continuous.  A refrigerator,
washing machine, and air conditioner at the yellow, single story
dwelling located on HWY 111 were not grounded.
1)  The air conditioner in the window of the rear bedroom
was not grounded nor was the washing machine, also located in the
rear bedroom.  The potential for shock was increased by the
presence of water, due to the improper way in which the washing
machine was installed.
2)  The refrigerator located in the kitchen was not
grounded.
Among other methods one feasible method of abatement is to provide
workers living in this dwelling with a washing machine, air
conditioner, and refrigerator that are properly grounded.  Also, to
install washing machine IAW manufacturer's recommendations as well
as any local, state, or county codes.

Issued

Aug 19, 2005

Abate by

Aug 22, 2005

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $500 Reduced

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 each of his employees conditions of employment and a
place of employment free from recognized hazards that were
causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that employees were exposed to falls while working:
a) Employer failed to protect workers from falling into
moving equipment or falling to the ground while working at
elevations over four feet from ground.[REF. 29 CFR 1910.23
(c)(1)]
1) Three workers were working from a makeshift,  wooden
platform that was elevated 66 inches from the ground and over a
leaf loading conveyer system.  This platform had no guardrail
system in place and workers had no other means of fall protection
available. The potential for falls was increased by the lack of
controls to prevent the transport carrier from striking the
platform.
2)  One worker was performing maintenance on the top of
a leaf sorting, box loading machine at an elevation of
approximately 15 feet from the ground.  This worker's only means
of ascending to the top of this machine was by way of a metal, A-
framed ladder which was not being used  IAW manufacturer
recommendations, nor was it tall enough to reach the top. Worker
had no means of fall protection while working on top of this
machine.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of
abatement is to repair or upgrade all machinery so as to
eliminate the need for exposing workers to falls.  If workers are
required to work over four feet in elevation or over moving
machinery, provide standard guard rail or fall arrest systems.

Issued

Aug 19, 2005

Abate by

Aug 22, 2005

Penalty

Initial $250 · Current $100 Reduced