OSHA Inspection: ALEX C. FERGUSSON, LLC

Issued

May 16, 2014

Abate by

May 22, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,700 · Current $1,350 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 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 was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to: struck by hazards caused by damaged material storage racks.   On or about April 21, 2014, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards while performing work around damaged racks.  The employer failed to unload, replace or repair damaged racks.  The following racks were damaged: a.     Racks at the opening next to the yellow guardrails   AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT THESE HAZARDS IS:  To follow American National Standard Institute (ANSI) MH16.1:2012, Specification for the Design, Testing, and Utilization of Industrial Storage Racks, Section 1.4.9, which states, "Upon any visible damage, the pertinent portions of the rack shall be immediately isolated by the user until the damaged portion is evaluated by a storage rack design professional.  Before allowing the rack to be placed back into service the design professional must certify that the rack system and/or the repaired components have been restored to at least their original design capacity.

Issued

May 16, 2014

Abate by

Jun 12, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,700 · Current $1,350 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms or service rooms were not kept clean and orderly or in a sanitary condition.  On or about April 21, 2014, employees were exposed to trip and fire hazards when the equipment department did not have clear and uncluttered routes or aisles into and out of the department work areas.

Issued

May 16, 2014

Abate by

Jun 12, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,700 · Current $1,350 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(e)(1): Standard railing(s) did not consist of top rail, intermediate rail and/or posts:  On or about April 21, 2014, employees were exposed to fall hazards of up to approximately 8½ feet when the steps to the part storage mezzanine in the equipment department did not have a midrail.

Issued

May 16, 2014

Abate by

Jun 12, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,700 · Current $1,350 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each operator had successfully completed the training consisting 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.  On or about April 21, 2014, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards when the forklift drivers had not been evaluated to verify that they could safety drive the forklifts and pallet jacks that were in use at the facility.

Issued

May 16, 2014

Abate by

Jun 12, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,250 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:  On or about April 21, 2014, employees were exposed to amputation hazards when the backstop on the Pearson press brake was broken.  Employees are required to mark the part to be bent and hold it in position because the backstop did not work.

Issued

May 16, 2014

Abate by

Jun 12, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,700 · Current $1,350 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(b)(2)(iii): Workers and other persons adjacent to the welding area were not protected from the rays by noncombustible or flameproof screens or shields:  On or about April 21, 2014, employees were exposed to weld flash when there was only one weld curtain available at the facility.  The single weld curtain available did not prevent weld flash from being visible when walking directly into the department.  There was no shielding between welders or between the welders and the break room or restroom.

Issued

May 16, 2014

Abate by

Jun 12, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(d)(1): On every building or other structure, or part thereof, used for mercantile, business, industrial or storage purposes, the loads approved by the building official were not marked on plates of approved design and securely affixed in a conspicuous place in each space to which they relate.   On or about April 21, 2014, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards when mezzanines used to store materials did not have a weight limit posted.  a.     The mezzanine over the entrance to the office area was used to store light bulbs and records belonging to the previous owner.  b.     The mezzanine over the equipment department supervisors office was used to store wooden boxes and metal containers.  c.     The mezzanine over the equipment department break room and restroom was used to store miscellaneous parts.

Issued

May 16, 2014

Abate by

Jun 12, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(1)(iii): Every flight of stairs having four or more risers and measuring less than 44 inches wide having both sides open, did not have one stair railing on each side:  On or about April 21, 2014, employees were exposed to trip hazards when the steps (four risers) outside the exit near the truck docks did not have stair rails on the sides of the steps.

Issued

May 16, 2014

Abate by

Jun 12, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1)(iv): Electric equipment was not free from recognized hazards that were likely to cause serious physical harm to employees, such as damaged electrical insulation:  On or about April 21, 2014, employees were exposed to electric shock hazards when an electrical cord in the equipment department was damaged.