OSHA Inspection: NORTEX WHOLESALE NURSERY, INC.

Issued

Jun 12, 2014

Abate by

Jun 20, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH Act of 1970, Section 5(a)(1): The employer did not furnish to each of his employees 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 his employees in that employees were exposed to fall hazards.    This violation was discovered on or about March 20, 2014, where employees were exposed to fall hazards while working from a shopmade wooden basket that was supported by the forks of a Hyundai lift truck.

Issued

Jun 12, 2014

Abate by

Jun 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(h): Standard railings were not provided on the open sides of all exposed stairways and stair platforms.      This violation was observed on or about March 20, 2014, in the soil mixing area; where employees, who used the stairway leading from the production area to the soil-mixing machine, were exposed to a fall hazard.  The employer did not provide a standard railing on the right descending side of the stairway.

Issued

Jun 12, 2014

Abate by

Jun 24, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $1,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(ii): Training did not consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.      This violation was discovered on or about March 20, 2014, where employees, who operated powered industrial trucks, did not complete training consisting of a combination of formal instruction, practical training and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.

Issued

Jun 12, 2014

Abate by

Jun 24, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(n)(4): The driver was not required to slowdown and sound the horn at cross aisles and other locations where vision was obstructed.      This violation was observed on or about March 20, 2014, in the production area; where employees, who operated stock chasers, did not slowdown and sound the horn at cross aisles and other locations where vision was obstructed.

Issued

Jun 12, 2014

Abate by

Jun 24, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(i): When projecting shaft ends were not guarded by nonrotating caps or safety sleeves, they did not present a smooth edge and end and projected more than one-half the diameter of the shaft:      This violation was observed on or about March 20, 2014, in the production area where two (2) unguarded shaft ends on the flat filler and two (2) on the propagation line projected more and one-half the diameter of the shaft.

Issued

Jun 12, 2014

Abate by

Jun 24, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $1,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1): Electric equipment was not free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.     This violation most recently occurred on March 20, 2014, where employees were exposed to electrical hazards when an outlet box was mounted on a steel column and rain water leaked from the ceiling allowing water to enter the outlet box causing burns from arcing to occur on the outlet.

Issued

Jun 12, 2014

Abate by

Jun 20, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $1,450 Reduced

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 shall be effectively closed.    This violation was observed on or about March 20, 2014, where employees were exposed to electrical hazards, including burns, shocks and/or electrocution in the flat filler in the production area where; the fitting to the flexible metal conduit leading to the motor junction box was not secured to prevent pull from being directly transmitted to the joints and abrasion to the conductors insulation.

Issued

Jun 12, 2014

Abate by

Jun 20, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in cabinets, boxes, and fittings were not effectively closed:      This violation was observed on or about March 20, 2014, where employees were exposed to electrical hazards, including burns, shocks and/or electrocution:  a) In the production area on the north wall, where the single-gang box to the heater's 110-Volt switch was missing a knockout.  b) In the chemical storage room, where a single-gang box containing a 110-Volt receptacle was missing a knockout.

Issued

Jun 12, 2014

Abate by

Jun 24, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): All pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers identified for the purpose.    This violation was observed on or about March 20, 2014 on the flat filler in the production area, where the motor junction box was missing its cover exposing employees to energized conductors.

Issued

Jun 12, 2014

Abate by

Jul 1, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $1,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(iv): There were damaged parts that could adversely affect safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment, such as parts that were broken, bent, cut, or deteriorated by corrosion, chemical action, or overheating.      This violation was observed on or about March 24, 2014, in the production area where; where wires in the timing electrical box, were overheating and exposing employees to fire and electrical hazards.

Issued

Jun 12, 2014

Abate by

Jun 20, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(B): Flexible cords and/or cables were run through holes in walls, ceilings, or floors.    This violation most recently occurred on or about March 20, 2014, where a flexible cord was ran through walls and the floors to charge equipment outside the building, exposing the cord to a wet location. The flexible cord was draped over metal equipment with rough edges that could damage the cord.

Issued

Jun 12, 2014

Abate by

Jul 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1): Each employee on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge which was 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level was not protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.    This violation was discovered on or about March 20, 2014, where employees, who walked and worked from the gutters while replacing the polyethylene roofing and siding to greenhouse #5, where not protected from falling more than 8-feet to the lower level.