OSHA Inspection: TUSCARORA HARDWOOD, INCORPORATED

Issued

Jul 12, 2012

Abate by

Aug 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(2):  The ladderway floor opening or platform was not guarded by a standard railing with standard toeboard on all exposed sides (except at entrance to opening), with the passage through the railing either provided with a swinging gate or so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the opening:    (a) Tuscarora Hardwood, Inc., 2240 Shermans Valley Road, Elliottsburg, PA - Employees working on the top platform of the boiler, in the boiler room, were exposed to an approximate 9.5 foot fall hazard when the fixed ladder was not equipped with a standard guard, on or about April 11, 2012.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.   The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 12, 2012

Abate by

Aug 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(1)(ii):  Flight(s) of stairs with four (4) or more risers, less than 44 inches wide and having one (1) side open, were not equipped with a standard stair railing on the open side:    (a)  Tuscarora Hardwood, Inc., 2240 Shermans Valley Road, Elliottsburg, PA - Employees used the steps (42 inches wide x 11.5 inches deep x six inches high) in the Trimmer department.  The steps were not equipped with a handrail on the left side descending, exposing employees to a fall hazard, on or about April 10, 2012.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.   The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 12, 2012

Abate by

Aug 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(b):  In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons was not adequately trained to render first aid:    (a)  Tuscarora Hardwood, Inc., 2240 Shermans Valley Road, Elliottsburg, PA - Employees work around woodworking machinery and did not have anyone trained in first aid and a medical facility was not located nearby (within 3-4 minutes) to provide injured employees with timely medical care, on or about April 10, 2012.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.   The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 12, 2012

Abate by

Aug 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3):  Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:    (a)  Tuscarora Hardwood, Inc., 2240 Shermans Valley Road, Elliottsburg, PA - Employees working around the conveyor in the Stacker area were exposed to an unguarded chain sprocket exposing the employees to an entanglement hazard, on or about April 11, 2012.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.   The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 12, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b):  Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.:    (a)  Tuscarora Hardwood, Inc., 2240 Shermans Valley Road, Elliottsburg, PA - An employee used a compressed air hose to blow out wood particles from machinery.  The employee was exposed to impact/flying particle hazards when an air hose was set at forty (40) pounds per square inch, on or about April 10, 2012.    No abatement certification or documentation required.

Issued

Jul 12, 2012

Abate by

Aug 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6):  The employer did not certify that each operator had been trained and evaluated, as required by this paragraph.  Certification did not include the name of the operator, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation:    (a)  Tuscarora Hardwood, Inc., 2240 Shermans Valley Road, Elliottsburg, PA - Employees operate various types of forklifts and received training, however, they were not given a hands-on forklift driving evaluation to determine competency, on or about April 10, 2012.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.   The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 12, 2012

Abate by

Aug 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7):  Industrial trucks were not examined before being placed in service:    (a)  Tuscarora Hardwood, Inc., 2240 Shermans Valley Road, Elliottsburg, PA - Employees operated various types of forklifts (i.e. Volvo, Clark, Taylor, Hyster, Case, and Yates) daily to move wood/finished pieces.  The forklifts used were not examined on a daily basis, on or about April 10, 2012.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.   The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 12, 2012

Abate by

Aug 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1):  The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:    (a) Tuscarora Hardwood, Inc., 2240 Shermans Valley Road, Elliottsburg, PA - Employees use hazardous chemicals, including but not limited to propane, lubricants, greats, and gases, on a daily basis.  A written hazard communication program was not developed to ensure the safe usage, transfer, and disposal of materials, thus exposing employees to possible injuries, on or about April 10, 2012.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.   The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.