OSHA Inspection: WOOD FIBERS INC.

Issued

May 2, 2012

Abate by

May 3, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):     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 was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to broken bones and/or possible death from a serious fall hazard while being elevated on a pallet resting on the forks of a forklift which does not meet accepted standards of ANSI B56.1-2005:    Employees engaged in maintenance work on an electric motor were using an unapproved work platform (wooden pallet) on the forks of a Yale enclosed forklift.  The work-platform was not connected or attached to the forklift nor were employee provided with adequate fall protection, such as a full body harness and lanyard exposing the employees to a fall hazard of greater than 10 feet onto compacted gravel surface.              ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

May 2, 2012

Abate by

Jun 14, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(ii):     Refresher training in relevant topics was not conducted as required by paragraph (l)(4)(ii) to ensure the operator has the knowledge and skills needed to operate the powered industrial vehicle safely.  Paragraph (l)(4)(ii)[A] requires retraining if the operator has been observed to operate the vehicle in an unsafe manner:    Employee engaged in maintenance work on an electric motor were using an unapproved work platform (wooden pallet) on the forks of a Yale enclosed forklift.  The work-platform was not connected or attached to the forklift nor was employee provided with adequate fall protection, such as a full body harness and lanyard exposing the employee to a fall hazard of greater than 10 feet onto compacted gravel surface.  Therefore, the employee operating the forklift requires retraining to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to avoid this substandard act.             ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

May 2, 2012

Abate by

Jun 14, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.26(c)(1):     Good safe practices in the use and care of ladder equipment were not employed by the users to get maximum serviceability, safety, and to eliminate unnecessary damage of equipment:    A Werner metal ladder was used to access bins to determine the level of material in the bin.  This was located in the packing area where the product was stored until packed in bags and palletized.  The ladder had two metal hangers bolted at the top.  The ladder was then hung from the top of the bin with the bottom unsupported.  To access the ladder, employees had to climb on or over a conveyor belt to reach the ladder.         ABATEMENT DOCUMENTAION AND CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

May 2, 2012

Abate by

Jun 14, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1):     The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces:    Hoppers and Bins in and around the facility would be classified as permit required confined spaces.  In particular, the saw dust hopper and boiler on the east side of the facility would be considered permit required confined spaces.             ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION AND CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

May 2, 2012

Abate by

Jun 14, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2):     The employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces:    Hoppers and Bins in and around the facility were not properly labled and signed.  In particular, the saw dust hopper that feeds the boiler had an access point that a person could fit in and was used to push material down.  The hopper's floor slooped toward an auger that forced material into the boiler for the dryer.  This qualifies as a permit required confined space.      NOTE: A sign reading DANGER-PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER or using other similar language would satisfy the requirement for a sign.         ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION AND CERTIFICATION REQUIRED