OSHA Inspection: LOWE'S HOME CENTERS, INC.

Issued

Dec 18, 2012

Abate by

Dec 28, 2012

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(6):     Each exit sign was not illuminated to a surface value of at least five foot-candles (54 lux) by a reliable light source and be distinctive in color. Self-luminous or electroluminescent signs that have a minimum luminance surface value of at least .06 footlamberts (0.21 cd/m2) are permitted.    On or about 10 October 2012, and at times prior thereto, eight exit signs within the store were not illuminated, exposing employees to various fire hazards.  a) The Exit sign located at the end of aisle 49 was not illuminated and did not have an arrow for the direction of egress.  b) The Exit sign located over external door #21 was not illuminated.  c) The Exit sign located over external door #17 was not illuminated.  d) The Exit sign located at the end of aisle 49 was not illuminated.  e) The Exit sign located at the end of aisle 45 was not illuminated.  f) The Exit sign located at the end of aisle 41 was not illuminated.  g) The Exit sign located at the end of aisle 30 was not illuminated.  h) The Exit sign located over the Main Entrance of the store was not illuminated.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure Exit signs are illuminated to meet the requirement.

Issued

Dec 18, 2012

Abate by

Dec 19, 2012

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(a)(2)(ix):     All lamps for general illumination were not protected from accidental contact or breakage by a suitable fixture or lampholder with a guard.    On or about 5 September 2012, and at times prior thereto, overhead fluorescent lights that were approximately 8 feet 3 inches in height located in the breezeways between aisles 3 and 4 were missing guards to prevent accidental contact or breakage, exposing employees to the hazards of cuts or blindness from falling shards of glass.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure overhead fluorescent lights are protected from breakage or accidental contact.

Issued

Dec 18, 2012

Abate by

Dec 19, 2012

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(j)(2)(i):     All 15- and 20-ampere attachment plugs and connectors were not constructed so that there were no exposed current-carrying parts except the prongs, blades, or pins.    On or about 5 September 2012, and at times prior thereto, employees utilized energized 120 volt receptacles that were not dead-front with the internal wires visible, exposing the employees to electrical hazards.  a) The energized 120-volt receptacle located beneath the work station for the Flooring area was not dead-front and the plugs were hanging out by the internal wires. Cords were plugged into the outlet at the time of the inspection, and various other cords were plugged into a re-locatable power tap adjacent to the receptacle.  b) The energized 120-volt receptacle located in aisle 7 of the Paint area was not dead-front at the time of the inspection.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure all receptacles are dead-front and have no exposed energized parts.

Issued

Dec 18, 2012

Abate by

Dec 19, 2012

Penalty

Initial $35,000 · Current $9,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(j)(1)(i):     Fixtures, lampholders, lamps, rosettes, and receptacles may have no live parts normally exposed to employee contact. However, rosettes and cleat-type lampholders and receptacles located at least 2.44 m (8.0 ft) above the floor may have exposed terminals.    On or about 5 September 2012, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not cover live parts that were exposed on a fluorescent lamp holder. The fixture was located in a breezeway between aisles 2 and 3 and was approximately 8 feet, 3 inches above the floor with wires hanging below 8 feet. Employees who work in the area would replace the adjacent light fixture bulbs when necessary, obtain stock above the fixture when needed, or stack product within the breezeway, exposing the employees to electrical hazards.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure all light fixtures that are below 8 feet from the ground, or brought into proximity with the use of ladders, are covered to prevent employee contact to live parts.    Lowe's Home Centers was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.0305(j)(1)(i), which was contained in OSHA Inspection# 312625437, Citation# 01, Item# 001 and was affirmed as a final order on 7/14/2009, with respect to a workplace located at 2194 State Route 35, Holmdel, NJ 07733.

Issued

Dec 18, 2012

Abate by

Dec 19, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1):     The employer did not mount, locate and identify portable fire extinguishers so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.    On or about 5 September 2012, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not mount, locate or identify portable fire extinguishers so that they were readily accessible by employees, exposing them to various fire hazards, to include smoke inhalation, asphyxiation, and burns.  a) The following fire extinguishers were not identifiable with a sign or label; one located in the main employee hallway near the offices; one located in the garden area; one located in the northeast corner of the store at the electrical panels; and four in various aisles of the store.  b) The following fire extinguishers were missing where there was a sign indicating where one should be located; one in the employee training room, and one near the panel saw in the southwest corner of the store.  c) The following fire extinguisher was not mounted but instead were sitting on the floor; one located in the garden area.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure portable fire extinguishers are mounted, locatable and easily identifiable within the establishment for ready accessibility.    Lowe's Home Centers, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 310988365, citation number 01, item number 001 and was affirmed as a final order on 2-11-2008, with respect to a workplace located at 13911 US Hwy 19 South, Thomasville, GA 31792.