OSHA Inspection: SMART WAREHOUSING LLC

Issued

Dec 5, 2012

Abate by

Jan 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,975 · Current $2,083 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 to employees in that employee(s) were exposed to a crushing hazard:    (a)  At the facility employee(s) working / walking along rack D21 in the warehouse where a blue steel storage rack column leg (west side upright) was severely bent with pallets of materials still in the storage racks, thus exposing employee(s) to physical injuries.    (b)  At the facility employee(s) working / walking along rack F20 in the warehouse where a grey steel storage rack column leg (west side upright) was severely bent with pallets of materials still in the storage racks, thus exposing employee(s) to physical injuries.    (c)  At the facility employee(s) working / walking along rack H06 in the warehouse where a blue steel storage rack column leg (west side upright) was severely bent with pallets of materials still in the storage racks, thus exposing employee(s) to physical injuries.    (d)  At the facility employee(s) working / walking along rack R8 in the warehouse where a teal steel storage rack column leg (west side upright) was severely bent with pallets of materials still in the storage racks, thus exposing employee(s) to physical injuries.    (e)  At the facility employee(s) working / walking along rack M17 in the warehouse where a blue steel storage rack column leg (center upright) was severely bent with pallets of materials still in the storage racks, thus exposing employee(s) to physical injuries.    (f)  At the facility employee(s) working / walking along rack P14 in the warehouse where a teal steel storage rack column leg (center upright) was severely bent with pallets of materials still in the storage racks, thus exposing employee(s) to physical injuries.    Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is:  Develop and implement a structural integrity program to inspect storage racks as recommended by the Rack Manufacturing Instutite Specification for the Design, Testing, and Utilization of Industrial Steel Storage Racks 1997 Edition, section 1.4.1.    29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1) requires certification and documentation that the abatement of the above violations have been completed.

Issued

Dec 5, 2012

Abate by

Jan 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,380 · Current $1,666 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.26(c)(2)(iv): Ladders were not maintained in good usable condition at all times:    (a)  Employee(s) using a gray 8 step portable metal ladder in the north aisleway in the warehouse were exposed to physical injuries due to the following:             (1)  no feet on the back legs of the portable metal ladder resulting in the ladder wobbling when someone climbs the steps.             (2)  bracing for the base of the 8 step portable metal ladder was severely bent resulting in wobbling and areas where deformation in bracing could cause failure in the material of construction.    (b)  Employee(s) using the 4 step blue ladder in aisle 15 were exposed to physical injuries due to the following:             (1)  right side rubber feet was missing             (2)  left side rubber feet was damaged             (3)  back side wheel assembly was broken off the base bracing.

Issued

Dec 5, 2012

Abate by

Jan 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,785 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3):  Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:    (a)  Employee(s) working around the southeast corner of the warehouse were exposed to physical injuries due to pallets and pallets of merchandise being stored in the aisleway blocking the pathway to the emergency door exit.    (b)  Employee(s) working around door 9 at the southwest corner of the warehouse were exposed to physical injuries due to pallets and pallets of merchandise being stored in the aisleway impeding the pathway toward the emergency door exit.

Issued

Dec 5, 2012

Abate by

Jan 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,785 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a):  Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:    Employee(s) changing out propane tanks on industrial fork trucks were exposed to physical injuries due to no personal protective equilpment being worn such as chemical goggles, chemical aprons, safety glasses, and etc., to prevent inadvertent contact with propane.

Issued

Dec 5, 2012

Abate by

Jan 24, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1):  The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE):    A personal protective equipment assessment was not performed to determine the types of personal protective equipment needed such as chemical goggles, chemical aprons, gloves, and etc. for the employees changing propane tanks on industrial fork trucks, thus exposing employees to physical injuries.

Issued

Dec 5, 2012

Abate by

Jan 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,785 · Current $1,250 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)  Employee(s) using a 50 foot orange extension cord to power the a weigh scale at the southwest corner of the warehouse were exposed to electrical hazards due to no ground pin on the plug end of the extension cord.    (b)  A 500 watt portable light located at the southwest corner of the warehouse was exposing employee(s) to electrical hazards when used, due to no ground pin on the plug end of the cord.

Issued

Dec 5, 2012

Abate by

Jan 24, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,785 · Current $1,250 Reduced

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:    At the establishment a written hazard communication program had not been developed and implemented to inform all employees of the hazards associated with hazardous chemical products such as  propane, sulfuric acid, and etc.

Issued

Dec 5, 2012

Abate by

Jan 24, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,785 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1):  Employers did not provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees had not previously been trained about was introduced into their work area and chemical-specific information was not always available through labels and material safety data sheets:    At the establishment employee(s) working with hazardous chemical products such as propane, sulfuric acid, and etc. were exposed to health hazards due to no training over the hazardous communication program, material safety data sheets, and labeling requirements.