OSHA Inspection: ACE POLE CO., INC.

Issued

Sep 30, 2013

Abate by

Oct 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,900

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:  a)    On May 29, 2013, and times prior thereto, at the Ace Pole worksite in Blackshear, GA, the employer failed to ensure that the operator of a Cat 966G lumber handler fastened his seatbelt, exposing employees to struck-by and entrapment hazards following a tipover or collision.  b)    On May 29, 2013, and times prior thereto, at the Ace Pole worksite in Blackshear, GA, the employer failed to ensure that the operator of a Volvo L150G lumber handler fastened his seatbelt, exposing employees to struck-by and entrapment hazards following a tipover or collision.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION ARE REQUIRED.

Issued

Sep 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,529 · Current $2,529

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(a)(9): All belts, pulleys, gears, shafts, and moving parts were not guarded in accordance with the specific requirements of 1910.219:   a)    On May 29, 2013, and times prior thereto, at the Ace Pole worksite in Blackshear, GA, at an elevated platform near a stairway on the debarker line, the employer allowed a motor and drive pulley to be unguarded, exposing pedestrian employees to hazards not limited to entrapment and amputation by two high-speed nip points at waist level.    b)    On May 29, 2013, and times prior thereto, at the Ace Pole worksite in Blackshear, GA, at the drive end of Pole Mill 1, the employer allowed a motor and drive pulley to be unguarded, exposing pedestrian employees to hazards not limited to entrapment and amputation from two high-speed nip points at feet level.    c)     On May 29, 2013, and times prior thereto, at the Ace Pole worksite in Blackshear, GA, at the east side of the debarker line, the employer allowed a chain-drive pulley under seven feet from the ground to be unguarded, exposing employees to hazards not limited to entrapment and amputation from one high-speed nip point.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

Issued

Sep 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,380 · Current $2,380

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(4)(iv): Elevated walk(s) and runway(s), 4 feet or more from floor level, were not provided with a standard railing:  a)    On May 29, 2013, and times prior thereto, at the Ace Pole worksite in Blackshear, GA, on the debarker saw platform just east of the chain-drive conveyor of the log-feeder, the employer allowed a missing guardrail section connecting the walkway to the conveyor guardrail, exposing employees to fall hazards of approximately 6-8 feet to the ground.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

Issued

Sep 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,900

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(11): Physical hazard markings were not specified per 1910.144 of this part:  a)    On May 29, 2013, and times prior thereto, at the Ace Pole worksite in Blackshear, GA, in the pole-mill area, a yellow caution line was not applied on the floor to warn employees on the elevated platform of impending danger by a moving pole-carriage, and a 30-in. drop-down, exposing employees to struck-by, caught-in-between, and falling hazards.    b)    On May 29, 2013, and times prior thereto, at the Ace Pole worksite in Blackshear, GA, in the pole-mill area, a yellow caution line was not applied on the floor to warn pedestrians of impending danger by a moving pole-carriage, exposing employees to struck-by, caught-in-between, and crush-by hazards.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION ARE NOT REQUIRED.

Issued

Sep 30, 2013

Abate by

Oct 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,380 · Current $2,380

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(30)(ix): Vehicle(s) were not equipped with brakes capable of holding and controlling the vehicle(s) and capacity load upon any incline or grade over which the vehicle might be operated:  a)    On May 29, 2013, and times prior thereto, at the Ace Pole worksite in Blackshear, GA, the employer allowed a Caterpillar 966G lumber loader to have a faulty emergency/park brake, exposing employees to struck-by hazards when operating on inclined surfaces, and transporting and loading/unloading large poles.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED.

Issued

Sep 30, 2013

Abate by

Oct 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $595 · Current $595

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.1(a)(2): The company has more than ten (10) employees at any time during the last calendar year and did not keep OSHA injury and illness records:    a)    On May 29, 2013, and times prior thereto, at the Ace Pole worksite in Blackshear, GA, the employer failed to maintain OSHA recordkeeping forms for CYs 2013 and 2012, exposing employees to lack of recordable-incident knowledge that might have alerted themselves and their employer to incident locations, machinery or equipment hazards, and/or trends.       ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED.

Issued

Sep 30, 2013

Abate by

Oct 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program which at included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):   a)    On May 29, 2013, and times prior thereto, at the Ace Pole worksite in Blackshear, GA, the employer failed to maintain a written hazard communication program, exposing employees to various hazards related to oxygen, acetylene, gasoline, diesel, and a parts washer, among others.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED.