OSHA Inspection: PALLET COMPANIES, INC.

Issued

Sep 24, 2013

Penalty

Initial $6,600 · Current $6,600

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(i): Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not protected from abrasion, and openings through which conductors enter were not effectively closed:   a. On or about July 31, 2013, at the SMETCO pallet sorting machine, Sort 2 station, a conductor entering an electrical cabinet marked "Danger High Voltage" was not effectively closed, exposing employees to a 440-volt electrical hazard.    b. On or about July 31, 2013, at the SMETCO pallet sorting machine, Sort 2 station, a conductor entering an electrical cabinet marked "Danger High Voltage" was not effectively closed, exposing employees to a 440-volt electrical hazard.   c. On or about July 31, 2013, at Band Saw #2's drive motor, a conductor entering an electrical power supply cutout box was not effectively closed, exposing employees to a 220-volt electrical hazard.    d. On or about July 31, 2013, at Band Saw #2's emergency stop switch, a conductor entering the electrical switch box was not effectively closed, exposing employees to a 110-volt electrical hazard.   e. On or about July 31, 2013, at the SMETCO pallet sorting machine, Sort 2 station, the access door of an electrical cabinet marked "Danger High Voltage" was damaged to the point that it could not be effectively closed,exposing employees to a 440-volt electrical hazard.

Issued

Sep 24, 2013

Penalty

Initial $27,500 · Current $15,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:    a. On or about July 31, 2013, energy control procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy sources, exposing employees to caught-in and amputation hazards.    The employer, Pallet Companies, Inc. dba IFCO Systems N.A., Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, or its equivalent standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 314661653, citation number 1, item number 3 and was affirmed as a final order on March 21, 2011, with respect to a workplace located at 8221 E 96th Avenue, Henderson, Colorado 80640.

Issued

Sep 24, 2013

Abate by

Nov 12, 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. On or about July 31, 2013, the employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present, or likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment.