OSHA Inspection: VALDEZ PALLET COMPANY, LTD.

Issued

Sep 4, 2014

Abate by

Oct 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

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.  For purposes of the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with appendix A and Table G-16a, and without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment:     a)  Outside wood shop, On or about April 1, 2014, employee who operates the PNEU Tools Model CN70 Coil Coiler Nailer; and the CN57 Coiler Nailer located in the south of the property was exposed to continuous noise at 191.3% of the permissible daily noise exposure (8-hour Time Weight Average sound level of 85 dBA) during the 474 minute sampling period on April 1, 2014.  For a full eight hour work shift this exposure would be equivalent to an average sound level of 94.7 dBA.  Exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 6 minutes not sampled.    b)  Outside wood shop, On or about April 1, 2014, employee who operates the PNEU Tools Model CN70 Coil Coiler Nailer; and a 20 ounce EST. wing manual hammer located in the south of the property was exposed to continuous noise at 515.1% of the permissible daily noise exposure (8-hour Time Weight Average sound level of 85 dBA) during the 463 minute sampling period on April 1, 2014.  For a full eight hour work shift this exposure would be equivalent to an average sound level of 101.8 dBA.  Exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 17 minutes not sampled.    c)  Pallet Company grounds, On or about April 1, 2014, employee who performs two tasks in two different locations 75 feet apart operates the Rigid Chop Saw Model: R4141; and organizes pallets inside the trailer was exposed to continuous noise at 79.8% of the permissible daily noise exposure (8-hour Time Weight Average sound level of 85 dBA) during the 466 minute sampling period on April 1, 2014.  For a full eight hour work shift this exposure would be equivalent to an average sound level of 88.4 dBA.  Exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 14 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Sep 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:  Approximately five feet from the outdoor covered wood shop, On or about March 28, 2014, employee was exposed to struck by hazard from a stack of 4 feet by 4 feet by 5 inch pallets (LXWXH) approximately 8-9 feet high while standing on a milk carton and reaching up to stamp the company logo on individual wood pallets.

Issued

Sep 4, 2014

Abate by

Sep 14, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6): The employer did not certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by this paragraph (l):  Outdoor within approximately 75 feet from the pallet manufacturing wood shop, On or about March 28, 2014, employees were exposed to a struck by hazard while operating a forklift; Model #42-6FGU15 that was missing a seat belt and the horn was not operational while carrying pallets throughout the facility.

Issued

Sep 4, 2014

Abate by

Oct 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(p)(1): Powered industrial truck(s) found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe had not been  taken out of service until restored to safe operating condition(s)  a)  Near the Wood Pallet Manufacturing area:  On or about March 28, 2014 employee was exposed to a struck by hazard from operating a Toyota forklift Truck; Model #42-6FGU15 that was missing a seatbelt to carry pallets.  b)  Near the Wood Pallet Manufacturing area:  On or about March 28, 2014 employees were exposed to a struck by hazard from operating a Toyota forklift Truck; Model #42-6FGU15 when the horn did not sound when transferring wood pallets.

Issued

Sep 4, 2014

Abate by

Oct 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:    Outside woodshop, Manual Trim Saw Model/Serial:  MTS/082107, On or about March 28, 2014 employee(s) were exposed to an amputation, from an approximately 7 inch saw blade inside the 4 inch by 7 inch by 7 inch (LXWXH) open cover when cutting wood planks measuring approximately 8 feet X 4 inches X 2 inches (LXWXH).

Issued

Sep 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(h)(1): Radial saw(s) did not have an upper hood constructed in such a manner and of material that would have protected the operator from flying splinters, broken saw teeth, etc. and that deflected sawdust away from the operator:  Outside woodshop, Rigid Chop Saw Model: R4141, On or about March 28, 2014 employee(s) were exposed to a struck by hazard, from the guard of the chop saw held open with a piece of wood shimmed between the guard and the blade, while cutting wood planks measuring at approximately 8 feet X 4 inches X 2 inches (LXWXH).

Issued

Sep 4, 2014

Abate by

Sep 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief was provided that would prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws:  a)  Outdoor covered wood shop, On or about March 28, 2014, Employees were exposed to electrical shock when the cord connected to the 240 Volt electrical box from the trim saw was pulled out of the connector while employees cut planks.  b)  Outdoor pallet loading area, On or about March 28, 2014, Employees were exposed to electrical shock when the 110 Volts cord is detached from the plug while employees operate air guns.