OSHA Inspection: COOLING TOWERS SYSTEMS, INC

Issued

Sep 11, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 from structural collapse to employees, in that the employer failed to properly maintain the facility's buildings in order to protect employees from hazards:  On or about 05/17/12 at Macon, GA:  Employees were exposed to struck-by and caught between hazards while performing work at a cooling tower manufacturing facility.  The employer failed to maintain and repair company buildings to ensure the safety of employees.     a. Warehouse 2:  A section of the warehouse roof, located in the maintenance area, is supported by blocks of wood, which are placed on the top of storage racks.     b. Warehouse 3:  A main support post which supports the warehouse's roof is rotting and damaged.     c. Warehouse 3:  The warehouse floor joists are deteriorated and rotted at the loading dock.

Issued

Sep 11, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open-sided floor(s) or platform(s) 4 feet or more above the adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded by standard railings (or the equivalent as specified in 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(3)(i) through (v)), on all open sides:    On or about 05/17/12 at Macon, GA: Employees were exposed to fall hazards, while handling storage items located within two drop sided military surplus trailers.  The employer failed to provide fall protection on the trailers at heights of 4 feet 7 inches above the ground.

Issued

Sep 11, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(1): Every flight of stairs having four or more risers was not equipped with standard stair railings or standard handrails as specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (v) of this section, the width of the stair to be measured clear of all obstructions except handrails:  On or about 05/17/12 at Macon, GA: Employees were exposed to fall hazards while accessing stairs, while performing work at a manufacturing facility. The employer failed to install standard handrails in the following locations:  a. Military Trailer:  Employees are exposed to falls when using stairs to access a drop sided military trailer's work platform.  The employer failed to provide a standard handrail system for the stairs.  b. Warehouse 1. Employees are exposed to falls when using portable stairs to access parts and equipment located on upper shelving.  The employer failed to provide a standard handrail system for the portable stairs.  c. Warehouse 3. Employees are exposed to falls when using the concrete stairs to access the front door of the warehouse. The employer failed to provide a standard handrail system for the stairs.

Issued

Sep 11, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i):     The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator was competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l):    On or about 05/17/12 at Macon, GA: Employees were exposed to struck-by hazards while operating forklifts throughout the facility.  The employer failed to ensure that all operators had completed a training and evaluation program prior to operating the company's forklifts.

Issued

Sep 11, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4): Grinding machinery was not used with work rest(s) to support offhand grinding work:    On or about 05/17/12 at Macon, GA: Employees were exposed to struck-by hazards while using a bench grinder in the maintenance area.  The employer failed to ensure that a work rest was installed on the bench grinder.

Issued

Sep 11, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9): Guard for abrasive wheel machine where the operator stands in front of the machine was not constructed so that the peripheral protecting member could be adjusted to the constantly decreasing diameter of the wheel:    On or about 05/17/12 at Macon, GA: Employees were exposed to struck-by hazards while operating an abrasive wheel bench grinder in the maintenance area.  The employer failed to ensure that a tongue guard was installed on the bench grinder.

Issued

Sep 11, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    On or about 05/17/12 at Macon, GA: Employees are exposed to struck-by hazards while operating a RIGGID air compressor located in the maintenance area.  The employer failed to ensure that an exposed pulley on the air compressor was guarded properly.

Issued

Sep 11, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1): Horizontal Belt(s) where both runs are seven feet or less from the floor were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    On or about 05/17/12 at Macon, GA: Employees are exposed to struck-by hazards while operating a RIGGID air compressor located in the maintenance area.  The employer failed to ensure that an exposed belt on the air compressor was guarded properly.

Issued

Sep 11, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:    On or about 05/17/12 at Macon, GA:  Employees were exposed to electrical hazards  and live electrical parts, while performing work in Warehouse 1.  The employer failed to follow listing and labeling instructions in the following electrical applications:  a. Clothes washer and dryer area.  The employer failed to install the correct cover on the electrical box which powers the washing machine located in warehouse 1.  b. Exhaust Fan.  The employer used a power strip which was not designed for industrial use to power an exhaust fan above the air compressor:

Issued

Sep 11, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i): Except as elsewhere required or permitted by Subpart S of Part 1910, live parts of electric equipment operating  at 50 volts or more were not guarded against accidental contact by use of approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures or by any of the means identified in paragraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i):    On or about 05/17/12 at Macon, GA: Employees were exposed to live electrical parts in the following locations:  a. Employees were exposed to electrical hazards while writing on inventory boards near the air compressor located in Warehouse 1.  The employer failed to properly enclose electrical wiring.  b. Employees were exposed to electrical hazards when utilizing the clothes washer and drier located in Warehouse 1. The employer failed to properly enclose wiring, which was designed to power lights over the washer and drier.  c. Employees were exposed to electrical hazards when accessing a circuit breaker box located in Warehouse 1. The employer failed to cover / secure two unused openings in the box.  d. An employee was exposed to electrical hazards when using equipment on a work bench located in the maintenance area.  The employer failed to properly enclosed wiring , which powers an electrical power strip installed over the work bench.  e. Employees were exposed to electrical hazards when working in a storage area adjacent to the break room in warehouse 1.  The employer failed to properly enclose an electrical box located on the break room's outer wall.

Issued

Sep 11, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): Each outlet box in completed installations did not have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy:    On or about 05/17/12 at Macon, GA: Employees were exposed to electrical hazards while working in the office and break room area.  The employer failed to provide faceplates for three outlets located in the room.

Issued

Sep 11, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $620 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(B): Flexible cords and cables were run through holes in walls, ceilings, or floors:    On or about 05/17/12 at Macon, GA: Employees were exposed to electrical hazards while utilizing electrical power tools in Lean-To #1. The employer provided power to the Lean-To #1, by running an electrical cable through Warehouse 1's wall in lieu of installing a permanent installed electrical box.

Issued

Sep 11, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2): Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":    On or about 05/17/12 at Macon, GA: Employees were exposed to fire related hazards while performing work in Warehouse 1.  The employer failed to install an Exit sign at the fire exit located near the Warehouse 1 break room.