OSHA Inspection: BRITE SERVICES INC.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 9, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $6,300

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 to employees in that employees were exposed to struck-by hazards.     a)  East 16th Street, Paterson, NJ:  Employees, when manually moving laundry bins from one building to another, were exposed to being struck by vehicular traffic when crossing a public street, on or about 11/8/2012.    b)  East 16th Street, Paterson, NJ:  Employees, when manually moving laundry bins from one building to another, were exposed to being struck by vehicular traffic when crossing a public street, on or about 1/3/2013.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $3,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(c): Covers and/or guardrails were not provided to protect personnel from the hazards of open pits.    a) Milnor Wash Room, Behind Braun Dryer, 421 East 16th Street:  An open pit used to collect dust / lint, with an opening approximately 3' by 3' and a depth of 3', was not protected; thereby, exposing employees from the hazards of stepping or falling into opening, on or about 9/24/2012.    b) Back Room, Alongside Norman Dryer, 436 East 16th Street:  An open pit used to collect dust / lint, with an opening approximately 26" by 28" and a depth of 3', was not protected; thereby, exposing employees from the hazards of stepping or falling into opening, on or about 10/18/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,390 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent).    a) Above Office Area, 436 East 16th Street:  Employees, tasked to store archived records and other business related materials on an unguarded platform, were exposed to a fall hazard of approximately 10', on or about 10/18/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 9, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(1)(i): On stairways less than 44 inches wide having both sides enclosed, at least one handrail was not present.    a)  Break Room Stairway, 421 East 16th Street:  An enclosed stairway measuring approximately 35.5" wide did not have at least one handrail, on or about 9/24/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,390 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(d)(1): Employee(s) were not able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without tools and special knowledge.     a)  Finishing Room, 421 East 16th Street:  A push bar on an exit door was replaced with a metal turn bar that fits tightly in place and acts as a door lock.  During an emergency egress, this bar could not be turned; thereby, forcing employees to jump off the loading platforms (docks) to exit the building.  This incident occurred on or about 9/14/2012.    b)  421 East 16th Street:  The discharge area was gated and locked, on or about 11/8/2012.     c)  436 East 16th Street:  The discharge area was gated and locked, on or about 10/18/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,390 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(g)(1): A projection from the ceiling of an exit route did reach a point less than six feet eight inches from the floor.    a)  Dry Cleaning Area, 436 East 16th Street:  A clothing rack mounted to the ceiling was located in the direct path of the exit route, and was hanging approximately 68.5" from the floor level, on or about 10/18/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $3,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(h)(1): The outdoor exit route did not have guardrails to protect unenclosed sides if a fall hazard exists.    a)  436 East 16th Street:  Outdoor exit route led to a stairway landing without guardrails; thereby, exposing employees to a fall hazard of approximately 4.5', on or about 10/18/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(h)(2): The outdoor exit route was not covered if snow or ice is likely to accumulate along the route, and the employer did not demonstrate that any snow or ice accumulation will be removed before it presents a slipping hazard.    a)  421 East 16th Street, Finishing Room:  An outdoor fire exit was covered with snow and ice; thereby, exposing employees to a slipping hazard, on or about 11/8/2012.    b)  436 East 16th Street, Dry Cleaning Area:  An outdoor fire exit was covered with snow and ice; thereby, exposing employees to a slipping hazard, on or about 11/8/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,390 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route was not kept free and unobstructed.    a)  436 East 16th Street:  Exit route was obstructed by a Port A Cool air cooling system; thereby, preventing passage, on or about 10/18/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 9, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2): Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":    a)  421 East 16th Street, Finishing Room:  Exit was not clearly visible and was not marked by a sign reading "Exit", on or about 9/24/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,390 Reduced

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.    a)  421 & 436 East 16th Street:  Employer did not evaluate the work site to determine that equipment, to include but not limited to the Milnor washing system, are permit-required confined spaces, on or about 9/24/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,390 Reduced

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.    a)  421 & 436 East 16th Street:  Employer did not use any effective means to inform employees of the permit-required confined spaces at the job site and the safety hazards associated with these permit spaces, on or about 9/24/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,390 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4): When the employer decided that its employees would enter permit spaces, the employer did not develop and implement a written permit space entry program that complied with 29 CFR 1910.146.    a)  421 & 436 East 16th Street:  Employer did not develop and implement a written permit required confined space program for those employees who enter the Milnor washing system, on or about 9/24/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,390 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1): The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energy, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative.    a)  421 & 436 East 16th Street:  Employees required to perform service on equipment, such as, but not limited to the Super Sylon ironer, were not provided an energy control program, consisting of complete written energy control procedures, employer training, and periodic inspections, on or about 9/14/2012.    b) 421 East 16th Street:  Employees, who climb a Milnor conveyor in order to remove stuck laundry and clear jams, were not provided an energy control program, consisting of complete written energy control procedures, employer training, and periodic inspections, on or about 9/14/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 9, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,700 · Current $1,860 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1):  The employer provided portable fire extinguishers and did not mount, locate and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.    a)  Outside Main Office, 421 East 16th Street:  Fire extinguisher was missing from posted location, on or about 9/14/2012.    b)  Finishing Room, 421 East 16th Street:  Fire extinguisher was not mounted, nor was the location of extinguisher identified, on or about 9/24/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(1): An educational program was not provided for all employees to familiarize them with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting.    a)  421 & 436 East 16th Street:  Employees, who are expected to use a fire extinguisher in the event of a fire incident, have not been trained to use fire extinguishers, on or about 9/14/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(b): Storage of material created a hazard.    a)  Maintenance Trailer:  Assorted equipment parts and materials were improperly stacked on shelves that were failing under the load; thereby, exposing employees to a struck by hazard, on or about 10/25/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each operator had successfully completed the training required by paragraph (l) prior to permitting an employee to operate a forklift.    a)  421 & 436 East 16th Street:  Employees operate the Hyster 60 propane powered forklift without having successfully completed the required training, on or about 9/14/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 9, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(p)(1): Powered industrial truck found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe had not been  taken out of service until restored to safe operating condition.    a)  Outdoor Yard Areas, Interior Soap Storage Areas, & Public Street, 421 & 436 East 16th Street:  The propane cylinder on the Hyster 60 forklift was being secured to the forklift by a bungee cord, on or about 10/25/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 9, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4): Grinding machinery was used without work rest(s) to support offhand grinding work.    a)  Maintenance Trailer, 421 East 16th Street:  A Ryobi bench grinder was used without the use of work rests, on or about 10/25/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 9, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9): The distance between the abrasive wheel periphery(s) and the adjustable tongue or the end of the safety guard peripheral member at the top exceeded one fourth inch.    a)  Maintenance Trailer, 421 East 16th Street:  The Ryobi bench grinder was used without safety guards, on or about 10/25/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.243(c)(4): The top half of the wheel of portable grinding machine was not enclosed.    a)  421 & 436 East 16th Street:  A DeWalt portable grinding machine was used without a guard; thereby, the top half of the wheel was not enclosed, on or about 9/24/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 9, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.264(c)(4)(iii)(a):  All steam pipes that are within 7 feet of the floor or working platform, and with which the worker may come into contact, was not insulated or covered with a heat-resistive material or shall be otherwise properly guarded.    a)  Front (First) Room, Alongside Braun Ironer, 436 East 16th Street:  Employees were exposed to an uncovered (non-insulated) steam pipe located within inches of the floor surface, and with a surface temperature of approximately 160 degrees Fahrenheit, on or about 10/18/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $3,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.264(d)(1)(v): Employees were not properly instructed as to the hazards of their work and be instructed in safe practices, by bulletins, printed rules, and verbal instructions.    a)  Throughout Entire Establishment, 421 & 436 East 16th Street:  Employees did not receive instruction as to the hazards of their work, such as but not limited to equipment steam pressure and operating temperatures, on or about 9/14/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 9, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,390 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.264(d)(2)(i)(a): No safeguard, safety appliance, or device attached to, or forming an integral part of any machinery shall be removed or made ineffective except for the purpose of making immediate repairs or adjustments. Any such safeguard, safety appliance, or device removed or made ineffective during the repair or adjustment of such machinery shall be replaced immediately upon the completion of such repairs or adjustments.    a)  Milnor Wash Room, 421 East 16th Street:  Guard was removed from the Braun drying machine (serial number H1232K2021); thereby, exposing employees to hazards such as those created by rotating parts, on or about 9/24/2012.    b)  Second Room, 436 East 16th Street:  Guard was removed from the Braun drying machine (serial number H12395251); thereby, exposing employees to hazards such as those created by rotating parts, on or about 10/18/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 9, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 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.    a) Finishing Room, 421 East 16th Street:  A light switch box was mounted to the ceiling and used as a electric junction box, on or about 9/24/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(g)(5): The path to ground from circuits, equipment, and enclosures was not permanent, continuous, and effective.    a)  Finishing Room, 421 East 16th Street:  Employees were using a flexible cord missing a ground pin to energize a three prong plug pedestal mount commercial floor fan, on or about 9/24/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(a)(2)(x): Flexible cords and cables were not protected from accidental damage, as might be caused, for example, by sharp corners, projections, and doorways or other pinch points.    a)  Finishing Room, 421 East 16th Street:  Flexible cord, used to energize a Rigid air mover, was placed underneath a closed door, on or about 9/24/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 9, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed.    a)  421 East 16th Street, Finishing Room:  Junction box was missing knockout plug, on or about 9/14/2012.    b)  421 East 16th Street, Finishing Room:  Knife switch box was missing knockout plug, on or about 9/24/2012.    c)  421 East 16th Street, Finishing Room:  Panel box was missing a breaker and knockout plug, on or about 9/24/2012.    d)  421 East 16th Street, Break Room:  Junction box was missing knockout plug, on or about 9/24/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 9, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): Junction boxes were not provided with covers approved for the purpose.    a)  436 East 16th Street:  Electric junction box on Braun dryer machine (serial number H12395251) was not covered, on or about 10/18/2012.    b)  436 East 16th Street:  Electric junction box on Braun dryer machine was not covered, on or about 10/18/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $3,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(d)(2): Panelboards shall be mounted in cabinets designed for the purpose and was not dead front.    a)  Wall Alongside Milnor Wash Machine, 421 East 16th Street:  A 208V panelboard was without a dead front, on or about 9/14/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.    a)  421 East 16th Street, Finishing Room:  Flexible cord was used as fixed wiring to energize a ceiling mounted fluorescent shop light, on or about 9/24/2012.    b)  421 East 16th Street, Finishing Room:   Flexible cord was used as fixed wiring to energize a Jensen folder machine, on or about 1/15/2013.    c)  421 East 16th Street, Finishing Room:  Flexible cord was used as fixed wiring to energize a Kannesegiesser folder machine, on or about 9/24/2012.    d)  421 East 16th Street, Finishing Room:  Flexible cord was used as fixed wiring to energize a M&M bundle tying machine, on or about 9/24/2012.    e)  421 East 16th Street, Milnor Wash System Room:  Flexible cord was used as fixed wiring to energize the lint trap motor, on or about 9/24/2012.    f)  436 East 16th Street, Front Room:  Flexible cord was used as fixed wiring to energize the Chicago automatic folder machine, on or about 10/18/2012.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(ii): Flexible cords were not used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap.  The cord was repaired, but the splice did not retain the insulation, outer sheath properties, and usage characteristics of the cord being spliced.    a)  421 East 16th Street, Finishing Room:  Flexible cord, used to energize the Kannegiesser folding machine, was spliced without retaining insulation and outer sheath properties, on or about 9/24/2012.       b)  421 East 16th Street, Finishing Room:  Flexible cord, used to energize the Jensen folding machine, was spliced without retaining insulation and outer sheath properties, on or about 1/15/2013.

Issued

Mar 14, 2013

Abate by

Apr 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief was provided that would prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws.    a)  421 East 16th Street, Finishing Room:  Flexible cord for the transformer on the Kannegiesser folding machine was not secured by strain relief, on or about 9/24/2012.    b)  421 East 16th Street, Finishing Room:  Flexible cord for the transformer on the Broun ironing machine was not secured by strain relief, on or about 9/24/2012.