OSHA Inspection: TOYS "R" US

Issued

Mar 18, 2011

Abate by

Mar 23, 2011

Penalty

Initial $5,390

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 the hazard of crushing, struck by and amputation
from the
improper operation of a damaged baling machine:
a) On or about 12/01/2010, in the Receiving Area of the store employees
operated a
PTR Baler with serial number 2300HDS and the employer did not develop a
company
specific baler safety training program to ensure that employees who
operated the PTR
Baler followed appropriate procedures to safely inspect and operate the
equipment
including but not limited to, daily safety checks to ensure proper
interlock function
and proper equipment condition.
b) On or about 12/01/10, in the Receiving Area, the employer did not ensure
that employees did not tamper, disengage or bypass the safety features
which
prevented the baler from operating with the sliding door in the open
position.
Employees operated the baler using a folded piece of cardboard to bypass
the
safety interlock.
c) On or about 12/01/10, in the Receiving Area, the employer did not ensure
that replacement of all parts were identical to the original components.
The
employer replaced a link of the ejection chain which was thinner than the
original link and was not approved or provided by the manufacturer.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement would
be to follow the requirements of ANSI baling equipment standards under ANSI
Z245.5 and Z245.51 and the operating and maintenance instructions provided
by the manufacturer.