OSHA Inspection: AMERICAN SERVICE CENTER ASSOCIATES LLC

Issued

May 23, 2012

Abate by

Jun 10, 2012

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Title 40.1-51.1(a) Code of Virginia: At American Service Center Associates
LLC, 601 North Randolph
Street, Arlington, VA, 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 struck by and crushing hazard when
walking under trays that had nested
together, that were part of the forty SpaceMaker QP1000 Electric Quad
Stackers onsite:  On or about
November 26th, 2011, the QP1000 Electric Quad Stacker, serial # 008909,
exposed employees to the struck by
and crushing hazard when tray C was nested to tray D at a height 6 feet, 6
inches above the ground level.  Tray
C was nested underneath Tray D due to several factors including:
(a) The employer contracted with Park Plus Inc to inspect all of the
QP1000 Electric Quad Stackers on April
26th, 2011.  The job was identified by Park Plus Inc as SR18238 and Job
Card 04511 and was completed and a
copy was signed for by the employer.  Based upon the inspection, the
technician reported, "We do recommend
paint or touch up all 40 QP1000 (All Rusty) - Plus lubricate all drums -
wire ropes - and lifting tube as well"
After receiving this report, the employer did not contract with Park Plus
Inc or any other qualified company to
lubricate the drums, wire ropes and lifting tubes;
(b) The employer allowed its own employees to lubricate the parts of the
car stackers that could be safely
reached but the employer did not have any direction, instructions, written
documentation or lubrication tables
that instructed employees on how to adequately lubricate the drums, wire
ropes, and lifting tubes;
(c) an inspection of all the lifts by Park Plus Inc technicians on
November 30th, 2011 found a condition
described by the technicians as scale buildup on the tubes and rods from
the use of automotive grease as a
lubricant.  The technician noted that Lithium spray grease is the correct
lubricant and that automotive grease
deteriorates and forms a scale buildup and becomes a sticking point;
(d) two lifting rods were bent/deformed;
(e) deformed side walls off the trays due to vehicles being driven on the
edge of the tray.
One feasible and acceptable method, among others, to correct this hazard
is
for the employer to:
a. obtain and comply with the requirements contained in the manufacturer's
operation, maintenance and
repair manual for the QP1000 Electric Quad Stacker;
b. establish a regular inspection and maintenance program to be performed
by qualified personnel;
c. assure that the manufacturer's specifications for lubrication are
adhered to; and
d. assure that lifts that are identified during regular inspections as
having defects, damaged or missing
components are removed from service until they can be repaired.

Issued

May 23, 2012

Abate by

Jun 25, 2012

Issued

May 23, 2012

Abate by

Jun 25, 2012