OSHA Inspection: J. POLEP DISTRIBUTION SERVICES

Issued

Apr 1, 2013

Abate by

May 16, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,550 · Current $1,275 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3):     Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:      Cigarette area, J. Polep Distribution Services, 705 Meadow Street, Chicopee, Massachusetts:  The emergency egress by the cigarette machines narrows to approximately 18 inches wide due to the location of a column in the aisleway.

Issued

Apr 1, 2013

Abate by

Apr 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,400 · Current $1,700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(g)(2):     Battery changing and charging installations for industrial trucks were not provided with facilities for flushing and neutralizing spilled electrolyte:    Battery Charging Area, J. Polep Distribution Services, 705 Meadow Street, Chicopee, Massachusetts:  The battery charging area did not have a spill kit to contain, neutralize, and dispose of spilled electrolyte.

Issued

Apr 1, 2013

Abate by

Apr 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(m)(5)(iii):     Powered industrial truck(s), with the operator dismounted and within 25 feet of the truck still in his view, did not have the load engaging means fully lowered, controls neutralized, and the brakes set to prevent movement:      Warehouse aisle, J. Polep Distribution Services, 705 Meadow Street, Chicopee, Massachusetts:  An employee dismounted a Crown forklift to move product from a pallet on the floor to the shelves, but left the forks on on the forklift elevated approximately 38 inches holding a second pallet while outside the forklift.

Issued

Apr 1, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,100 · Current $2,550 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1):     One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:    Red cigarette machine, J. Polep Distribution Services, 705 Meadow Street, Chicopee, Massachusetts:  The red cigarette machine was missing guards on the intake rollers and on the side of the machine other moving parts were found.

Issued

Apr 1, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,550 · Current $1,275 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:    Cigarette area, J. Polep Distribution Services, 705 Meadow Street, Chicopee, Massachusetts: Employees were using electrical equipment that was not being used per the listing and labeling from a national testing laboratory.    Instance 1:  Pendant drops were wired into junction boxes that had knockouts.  These boxes are designed for permanent installations.    Instance 2:  Employees were using a relocatable power tap (power strip) to power personal items including a radio.

Issued

Apr 1, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8870

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii):     Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:    Conveyor panel #2, J. Polep Distribution Services, 705 Meadow Street, Chicopee, Massachusetts:  Conveyor panel #2 had a missing blank due to a missing breaker, that exposed employees to the energized bus bars inside the panel when they opened the door to the panel.

Issued

Apr 1, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1):     Sufficient access and working space was not provided and maintained about all electric equipment (operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground) to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment:    Dock doors(Area 88 - Aisle 36) and scissor lift charging area, J. Polep, 705 Meadow Street, Chicopee, Massachusetts:  Tables, trash barrells and other equipment were stacked in front of wall hung distribution panels blocking access to the overcurrent devices.

Issued

Apr 1, 2013

Abate by

Apr 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(i):     Portable cord and plug connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) were not visually inspected before use on any shift for external defects (such as loose parts, deformed and missing pins, or damage to outer jacket or insulation) and for evidence of possible internal damage (such as pinched or crushed outer jacket):    Facility wide, J. Polep Distribution Services, 705 Meadow Street, Chicopee, Massachusetts:  Employees do not perform a visual inspection on extension cords prior to use to detect external defects, or for evidence of possible internal damage.

Issued

Apr 1, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:    Cigarette machines, scissor lift charging area, J. Polep Distribution Services, 705 Meadow Street, Chicopee, Massachusetts;  Flexible cords (extension cords) were used as a substitute for fixed wiring in the cigarette area and at the scissor lift charging area.  Cords were permanently plugged in even when not in use and others were permanently attached to the building structure.