OSHA Inspection: ACADEMIA FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, LLC

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Oct 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,450 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200

General-duty citation text

Section (5)(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: 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 employees were exposed to dust deflagration, explosion or other fire hazard:    a) Wood Dust, 74 Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: Grizzly Enclosureless Dust Collectors were located inside the building and used for collecting dust produced from cutting of compact wood, without the required isolation devices to prevent fires and deflagrations from propagating from the dust collector back through the inlet ductwork to the woodworking equipment, on or about 2/4/14, 3/5/14 and 3/18/14.    b) Wood Dust, 74 Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: Employees used a Topmaster cutting Machine to cut certain size wood and groove channels for T-Molding. The Topmaster was connected to a Grizzly enclosureless dust collector. The dust collector, which contained accumulations of Class II explosive wood dust, was emptied twice a week, on or about 2/4/14, 3/5/14 and 3/18/14.    c) Wood Dust, 74 Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: Grizzly Enclosureless Dust Collectors attached to the Topmaster machine used for collecting dust produced from cutting of compact wood, was not bonded and grounded to prevent static electricity, on or about 2/4/14, 3/5/14 and 3/18/14.    d) Wood Dust, 74 Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: Grizzly Enclosureless Dust Collectors attached to the Buffalo No. 18 Drill machine used for collecting dust produced from cutting grommets onto wood panels, was not bonded and grounded to prevent static electricity, on or about 2/4/14, 3/5/14 and 3/18/14.    e) Wood Dust, 74 Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: Grizzly Enclosureless Dust Collectors ductwork assembly attached to the Buffalo No. 18 Drill machine and the Topmaster machine used for collecting dust produced from cutting grommets and sawing wood panels were constructed of PVC material, on or about 2/4/14, 3/5/14 and 3/18/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): Floor(s) of workroom(s) were not maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition:  a) Wood Shop, 74 Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: Wood debris and explosive dust generated from cutting had settled on floors and other surfaces and removal of dust had not been conducted with adequate frequency, on or about 2/4/14, 3/5/14, and 3/18/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Jul 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit routes must be free and unobstructed:  a) Wood Storage Area, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: The exit route was blocked by pallets of wood panels and tabletops, on or about 2/4/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Jul 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2): Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":  a) Welding Shop, 74 South Passaic Street, Woodridge, NJ: An exit door located in the welding shop was not marked by a sign reading "Exit", on or about 2/4/14 and 3/5/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Jul 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(4): Signs were not posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge when the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge was not immediately apparent:    a) West Evacuation Tunnel, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: Directional signage was not posted at the west evacuation tunnel to indicate the direction to the nearest exit and exit discharge, on or about 2/4/14.    b) Welding Shop, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: Directional signage was not posted outside of an exit route, located in the welding shop, to indicate the direction to the nearest exit and exit discharge, on or about 2/4/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(5): Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit was not marked "Not an Exit" or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use (e.g. closet):    a) West Storage Area, 74 South Passaic Street, Woodridge, NJ: Signage indicating "Not an Exit" was not posted above a door located in the west storage area, near column E32, on or about, 2/4/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Aug 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.9(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:    a) Wood Shop, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: An employee working at the Top Master cutting machine was exposed to a continuous noise level at 106% of the 8-hour Time Weighted Average, Action Level of 85 decibels. The equivalent dose of 106% is approximately 90.4 decibels. The sample was performed for 473 minutes during the morning shift on March 18, 2014. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time. The employer did not administer an effective hearing conservation program for an employee whose exposure to noise exceeded the OSHA Action Limit of 85 dBA, thus exposing employees to potential hearing loss, on or about 2/4/14, 3/5/14 and 3/18/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Aug 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:    a) Wood Shop, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ:An employee working at the Top Master cutting machine was exposed to a continuous noise level at 106% of the 8-hour Time Weighted Average, Action Level of 85 decibels. The equivalent dose of 106% is approximately 90.4 decibels. The sample was performed for 473 minutes during the morning shift on March 18, 2014. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time. The employer did not administer audiometric testing for an employee whose exposure to noise exceeded the OSHA Action Limit of 85 dBA, thus exposing employees to potential hearing loss, on or about 2/4/14, 3/5/14 and 3/18/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Jul 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95(k). The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:    a) Wood Shop, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: An employee working at the Top Master cutting machine was exposed to a continuous noise level at 106% of the 8-hour Time Weighted Average, Action Level of 85 decibels. The equivalent dose of 106% is approximately 90.4 decibels. The sample was performed for 473 minutes during the morning shift on March 18, 2014. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time. The employer did not administer a hearing conservation training program for an employee whose exposure to noise exceeded the OSHA Action Limit of 85 dBA, on or about 2/4/14, 3/5/14 and 3/18/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Aug 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(l)(1): The employer did not make available to affected employees or their representatives copies of 29 CFR 1910.95:    a) Wood Shop, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: An employee working at the Top Master cutting machine was exposed to a continuous noise level at 106% of the 8-hour Time Weighted Average, Action Level of 85 decibels. The equivalent dose of 106% is approximately 90.4 decibels. The sample was performed for 473 minutes during the morning shift on March 18, 2014. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time. The employer did not make available a copy of 29 CFR 1910.95, to affected employees or their representatives, on or about 2/4/14, 3/5/14 and 3/18/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.101(b): The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders shall be in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in CFR 1910.6:  a) Assembly Area, 74 South Passaic Street, Woodridge, NJ: Several unchained compressed gas (Argon, Oxygen, Acetylene) cylinders were stored without being secured, on or about 2/4/14 and 3/5/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Aug 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was required to use the respirator in the workplace:    a) Wood Shop, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: The employer requires employees to wear N95 filtering facepiece masks, and a medical evaluation was not provided to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, on or about 2/4/14, 3/5/14, and 3/18/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Aug 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1): The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative:    a) Wood Dust Shop, 74 Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: The employer did not develop and implement an Energy control (Lockout/Tagout) program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections for the Topmaster and drill press machine, on or about, 2/4/14 and 3/5/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Aug 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:    a) West Storage Area, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: An eyewash station was not provided for employees who are exposed to sulfuric acid while performing battery maintenance operations for forklifts and pallet jacks, on or about 2/4/14 and 3/5/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1): Portable fire extinguishers were not mounted, located and identified so that they were readily accessible without subjecting the employees to injuries:  a) Wood Storage, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: Access to a column holding a portable fire extinguisher was blocked by pallets of tabletop panels, on or about 2/4/14 and 3/5/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Jul 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(1): An educational program was not provided for all employees to familiarize them with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting:  a) Welding Shop, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: Portable fire extinguisher training was not provided for welding employees, who are expected to use fire extinguishers, on or about 2/4/14 and 3/5/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Jul 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(g)(2): Battery charging apparatus for industrial trucks located in battery changing and charging installation was not protected from damage by trucks:  a) Receiving Area, 74 South Passaic Ave, Wood-Ridge, NJ: The battery charging station located in a heavy traffic area was not protected by a barrier to prevent vehicular damage, on or about 2/4/14 and 3/5/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(ii): Prior to permitting an employee to operate a powered industrial truck, the employer shall ensure that each operator has successfully completed the training required by paragraph (l), except as permitted by paragraph (l)(5).  a) Warehouse, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: Employees were operating Toyota & Yale battery operated forklift vehicles without being trained on the safe operation of a powered industrial truck, on or about 2/4/14 and 3/5/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Jul 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(c)(1): Circular handfed ripsaw(s) were not guarded by an automatically adjusting hood which completely enclosed that portion of the saw above the table and above the material being cut:  a) Wood Shop, 74 South Passaic Ave, Wood-Ridge, NJ: A Grizzly table saw used to cut wood was not guarded with a hood, on or about 2/4/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Jul 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4): Grinding machinery was not used with work rest(s) to support offhand grinding work:  a) Production Area, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: An 8 inch Ryobi abrasive wheel grinder used to sharpen steel parts was not equipped with a work rest, on or about 2/4/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Jul 4, 2014

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) Production Area, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: A tongue guard installed on a Ryobi 8 inch abrasive wheel bench grinder, used to sharpen steel parts, was approximately 1 inch from the abrasive wheel, on or about 2/4/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Jul 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.243(c)(1)(ii)(a): A safety guard shall cover the spindle end, nut and flange projections. The safety guard shall be mounted so as to maintain proper alignment with the wheel, and the strength of the fastenings shall exceed the strength of the guard.    a) Welding Shop, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: A welder was using a Dewalt hand-held grinder without the use of a safety guard, on or about 5/2/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(iv): There shall be no damaged parts that may adversely affect safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment, such as parts that are broken, bent, cut, or deteriorated by corrosion, chemical action, or overheating:    a) Receiving Area, 74 South Passaic Ave, Wood-Ridge, NJ: The electrical charging cable used for powering the Ferro Five Charging apparatus was damaged and exposing energized electric wires, on or about 2/4/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(ii): The required working space about electric equipment rated 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, was used for storage:  a) Wood Storage, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: An electrical panel used to service lighting and other electrical sources was blocked by pallets and table top panels, on or about 2/4/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:  a) Receiving, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: An electrical Cutler-Hammer disconnect box had one unused opening, on or about 2/4/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

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:  a) Wood Shop, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: The Grizzly table ripsaw machine was plugged into a flexible electrical cord and used as a substitute for fixed wiring of a structure, on or about 2/4/14.  b) Wood Shop, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: A Hampton Bay pedestal fan was plugged into a flexible electrical cord and used as a substitute for fixed wiring of a structure, on or about 2/4/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Jul 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

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):  a) Wood Shop, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: A ground pin was missing from a Hampton Bay pedestal fan, on or about 3/18/14.  b) Welding Shop, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: A ground pin was missing from several pedestal fans, on or about 2/4/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Jul 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 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:  a) Facility, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: Employer did not develop a written hazard communication program while employees were assigned to work with hazardous materials including, but not limited to, thinner metallic finish, Kleenstrip paint thinner, Goof off pro strength remover, and Combustible Class II Wood Dust, on or about 2/4/14 and 3/5/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(1): The employer did not have a material safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical in use:    a) Wood Shop, 75 Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: Employer did not have a material safety data sheet for compact wood (combustible dust), on or about 2/4/14 and 3/5/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Jul 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided with 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) Facility, 74 Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: Employees that worked with various hazardous materials and chemicals including, but not limited to, thinner metallic finish, Kleenstrip paint thinner, Goof off pro strength  remover, and Combustible Class II Wood Dust, were not provided with training covering the health effects and methods by which employees can protect themselves from the hazards, on or about 2/4/14 and 3/5/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Aug 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:    a) Wood Shop, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: The employer did not develop and implement a written respiratory protection program, where employees were required to N95 filtering facepiece masks, when servicing/changing the Grizzly dust collection bag, on or about 2/4/14, 3/5/14, and 3/18/14.

Issued

May 30, 2014

Abate by

Aug 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(i): Respirator users were not provided with the information contained in Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134 when the employer determined that voluntary respirator use was permissible:    a) Facility, 74 South Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, NJ: Employees who wore N95 filtering facepiece masks voluntarily, were not provided with the Appendix D information, on or about 2/4/14 and 3/5/14.