OSHA Inspection: COLOR STAR GROWERS OF COLORADO

Issued

Aug 31, 2010

Abate by

Oct 1, 2010

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not
furnish to each of his employees 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 electrical shock hazards
associated when
using energized electrical equipment in the following instances:
(a)Color Star Growers of Colorado & 11610 Weld County Road 14 1/2, Fort
Lupton, CO. On or before April 2, 2010, the employer did not ensure each
receptacle box with exposed live parts and damaged extension cords in the
greenhouse was repaired or taken out of service. These condition exposed
the
employees to an electrical hazard.
(b)Color Star Growers of Colorado & 11610 Weld County Road 14 1/2, Fort
Lupton, CO. On or before April 2, 2010, the employer did not ensure each
relocatable power tap, metal gang box and extension cord was being used
appropriately in that in multiple instances these components were being
used as
a substitute for the fixed wiring of the structure.
(c)Color Star Growers of Colorado & 11610 Weld County Road 14 1/2, Fort
Lupton, CO. On or before April 2, 2010, the employer did not ensure that
the lights, with temporary wiring, were provided with a protective lamp
guard.
(d)Color Star Growers of Colorado & 11610 Weld County Road 14 1/2, Fort
Lupton, CO. On or before April 2, 2010, the employer did not ensure that
the tray washing machine and each drinking fountain was provided with GFCI
protection.
(e)Color Star Growers of Colorado & 11610 Weld County Road 14 1/2, Fort
Lupton, CO. On or before April 2, 2010, the employer did not ensure the
working space in front of each electrical panel in the main hall of the 13
West
Area was maintained with a minimum clear working space of 3 feet and free
of obstructing access.
Abatement Note: Among others, one feasible and acceptable abatement method
to correct
this hazard is to ensure that all electrical equipment is being used in
accordance with the
NFPA-70, National Electric Code to safeguard employees from potential
electrical shock
hazards.
Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for
this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement Certification Letter").

Issued

Aug 31, 2010

Abate by

Sep 18, 2010

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $4,500

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not
furnish to each of his employees 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 the hazard of falling when
working with
Louisville aluminum extension ladders due to improper use of ladders while
replacing
greenhouse roof panels:
(a)Color Star Growers of Colorado & 11610 Weld County Road 14 1/2, Fort
Lupton, CO. On or before March 2, 2010, the employer did not ensure that
the aluminum extension ladder used by the employees to gain access to the
roof of the greenhouse was extended at least 3 feet above the roof surface
and/or secured to provide safe access.
(b)Color Star Growers of Colorado & 11610 Weld County Road 14 1/2, Fort
Lupton, CO. On or before March 2, 2010, the employer did not ensure that
the aluminum extension ladder was used properly, in that, the ladder was
not
used as a complete unit as designed by the manufacturer.
(c)Color Star Growers of Colorado & 11610 Weld County Road 14 1/2, Fort
Lupton, CO. On or before March 2, 2010, the employer did not ensure that
each employee maintained 3 points of contact when ascending and descending
the ladder and not carrying any object or load that could cause the
employee to
lose balance and fall to lower level.
(d)Color Star Growers of Colorado & 11610 Weld County Road 14 1/2, Fort
Lupton, CO. On or before March 2, 2010, the employer did not ensure that
each employee working with metal ladders was provided with adequate ladder
safety training.
Abatement Note: Among others, one feasible and acceptable abatement method
to correct
these hazards is to comply with ANSI A14.2-2000 Safety Requirements for
Portable Metal
Ladders and to provide each employee with adequate safety training on
selection, care, and
proper use of metal ladders.
The training shall include the following areas as applicable:
(1) The nature of all fall hazards in the work area;
(2) The correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, inspecting of all
ladders to
be used;
(3) The proper construction, use, placement, and care in handling of all
ladders;
(4) The maximum intended load-carrying capacities of ladders and;
(5) The required ladder safety standards.
Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for
this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement Certification Letter").

Issued

Aug 31, 2010

Abate by

Sep 18, 2010

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $4,500

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not
furnish to each of his employees 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 the hazard of falling when
replacing panels
for the greenhouse roof(s) due to lack of appropriate fall protection.
(a)Color Star Growers of Colorado & 11610 Weld County Road 14 1/2, Fort
Lupton, CO. On or before March 2, 2010, the employer did not ensure that
fall protection was utilized when employees were required to work on the
roof(s) replacing panels for the greenhouses. This condition exposed
employee
to the hazard of falling up to 21' 5" ridge to ground.
Abatement Note: Among others, one feasible and acceptable abatement method
to correct
this hazard is to comply with ANSI Z359.1-2007 Safety Requirements for
Personal Fall
Arrest Systems. This includes providing each employee with adequate means
of fall
protection and safety training on selection, care, and proper use of fall
protection systems.
The Fall Protection Program shall include the following areas as
applicable:
(1) The nature of all fall hazards in the work area;
(2)Identify, evaluate and eliminate fall hazard through proper planning;
(3)Ensure proper training of all, to include supervisors, exposed to fall
hazards;
(4) Ensure correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, inspecting of all
fall
protection systems to be used;
(5)Ensure proper installation and use of fall protection and rescue systems
(6)Implement safe fall protection and rescue procedures.
(7) The proper use, placement, of all fall protection system to be used;
(8)Define the role of each employees in fall protection program, to
include a
Competent Person:
(9) The applicable fall protection standards.
Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for
this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement Certification Letter").

Issued

Aug 31, 2010

Abate by

Oct 1, 2010

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not
furnish to each of his employees 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 the hazard of falling when
accessing open-
sided floors and platforms due to lack standard railings provided.
(a)Color Star Growers of Colorado & 11610 Weld County Road 14 1/2, Fort
Lupton, CO. On or before April 2, 2010, the employer did not ensure that
standard guardrails or equivalent fall protection systems were provided on
each
open-sided overhead mezzanine(s) throughout the facility. This condition
exposed employees to the hazard of falling from elevation at an
approximately
height of 9 feet to the ground.
(b)Color Star Growers of Colorado & 11610 Weld County Road 14 1/2, Fort
Lupton, CO. On or before April 2, 2010, the employer did not ensure that
standard guardrail systems were provided on each working platform and
stairs
in the Fertilizer Dept. This condition exposed employees to the hazard of
falling an approximately height 4' 3" to the ground.
Abatement Note: Among others, one feasible and acceptable abatement method
to correct
this hazard is to comply with the requirements of ANSI A1264.1-2007 Safety
Standards for
Workplace Walking/Working Surfaces and Their Access; Workplace Floor, Wall
and Roof
Openings; Stairs and Guardrail Systems to ensure that each open-sided
floor and platform is
equipped with standard railing to prevent employees from falling from
elevation.
Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for
this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement Certification Letter").

Issued

Aug 31, 2010

Abate by

Oct 1, 2010

Issued

Aug 31, 2010

Abate by

Oct 5, 2010

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,500 Reduced

Issued

Aug 31, 2010

Abate by

Oct 1, 2010

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $3,000 Reduced

Issued

Aug 13, 2010

Abate by

Aug 31, 2010

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · Current $1,500 Reduced