OSHA Inspection: WENCO INDUSTRIES, INC.

Issued

May 23, 2013

Abate by

May 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,975 · Current $1,488 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 which were likely to  cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that, employees were exposed to crushing hazards associated with improper operation of automotive lifts:      a)  On or about April 24, 2013, and at times prior, employees were exposed to crushing and struck-by injuries while they used several air/hydraulic automotive lifts in an inappropriate manner as follows:    1.  At least two in ground lifts did not have the standard safety locking mechanisms (posts/bars) that would prevent the lift from collapse in the event of a pressure failure.      2.  The safety locking mechanisms (posts/bars) which were originally installed with two other lifts were not functioning because critical pieces had been removed, broken or were disabled.  Without such locks in place, there was nothing preventing the lifts from dropping if hydraulic pressure was accidently or suddenly lost.      3.  At least five lifts did not have legibly posted information related to the load capacity, operating instructions or other pertinent manufacturer information and warnings.    4.  Employees operating the lifts were not provided with the training necessary to safely operate them.  The employer had not shown them the operators manuals and some of the operators manuals were not immediately available at the job site.  Employees did not know the capacity of the lifts.    5.  Lifts were not periodically inspected by qualified inspectors at least annually to ensure that they were properly maintained and functioning properly.

Issued

May 23, 2013

Abate by

May 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,517 · Current $1,517

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) and toeboards:      a)  On or about April 24, 2013, and at times prior, employees were exposed to fall hazards when they accessed the second floor storage area of the shop to retrieve stored equipment and parts.  This storage area was greater than 8 feet above the adjacent ground level and several open-sides areas of the floor were not guarded with standard railings.

Issued

May 23, 2013

Abate by

Jul 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,785 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(h)(1): The employer did not provide the protective equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), used to comply with this part, at no cost to employees.    a)  On or about April 24, 2013, and at times prior, employees were exposed to chemical hazards and mechanical irritants because the employer did not provide employees with personal protective equipment such as eye protection and gloves.  Employees purchased their own eye protection and gloves.

Issued

May 23, 2013

Abate by

May 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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)  On or about April 24, 2013, and at times prior, employees were exposed to cuts, bruises and other injuries produced by the breakage of abrasive grinding wheels while they used a bench grinder which had about a half inch gap between the housing and wheel where the tongue guard should have been located.

Issued

May 23, 2013

Abate by

May 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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):       a)  On or about April 24, 2013, and at times prior, a belt and pulley on an air compressor located in the storage area of the shop was not guarded.

Issued

May 23, 2013

Abate by

May 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i): Horizontal belts which had both runs seven feet or less from the floor level were not guarded with a guard that extended to at least fifteen inches above the belt:  a)  On or about April 24, 2013, and at times prior, a belt and pulley on an air compressor located in the storage area of the shop was not guarded.

Issued

May 23, 2013

Abate by

Jul 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:   a)  On or about April 24, 2013, and at times prior, employees working with and exposed to a variety of hazardous chemicals were not provided with training which effectively covered the hazards of the chemicals, the methods which should be employed to safely use the chemicals, and the location of the material safety data sheets.