OSHA Inspection: METRO CHRYSLER, INC

Issued

2014-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-11-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6300.00 · Current $4200.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 potential crushing  and struck by hazards from falling loads, vehicles and/or lift parts:     a) Auto Service Area, Bays 1 through Bay 3:  On or about April 23, 2014, The employer had not performed inspections of the Benwil 100 Series Lift in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations or in accordance with the ANSI/ALI ALIS safety Requirements for Installation and Service of Automotive Lifts exposing employees to crushing and stuck by hazards of falling loads, elevated vehicles and/or lift parts.          b) Auto Service Area, Bay 2: On or about April 23, 2014, while performing servicing of an elevated vehicle an employee was exposed to the hazards of being struck by and crushing hazards of a vehicle falling from heights while being lifted on the Benwil 100 Series Lift.  The Unibody vehicle was elevated on the lift using an adapter on the lifting arm extensions  which was not adequate as it was the wrong adapter.  The manufacturer's recommendation that the adapter being used was only for Frame, Stub Frames and Perimeter Frame Vehicles not for a Unibody.      c) Auto Service Area, Bay 2: On or about April 23, 2014, an employee  was exposed to the hazards of being struck by and crushing hazards of a vehicle falling from heights while using the Benwil 100 Series Lift which had a defective, broken arm pin.    d) Auto Service Area Bay 1 through Bay 3: On or about April 23, 2014, the employer had not displayed, for employees use, the lift manufacturer's operating instructions; ALI/SM 93-1, ALI Lifting it Right safety manual; ALI/ST-90 ALI Safety Tips card; ANSI/ALI ALOIM-2008, American National Standard for Automotive lifts-Safety Requirements for Operation, Inspection and Maintenance; and in the case of frame engaging lifts, ALI/LP-Guide, Vehicle Lifting Points/Quick Reference Guide for Frame Engaging Lifts; in a conspicuous location in the lift area convenient to the operator;    Among other means, some feasible and acceptable methods to correct these hazards would be for the company to insure that all lifts are maintained in accordance with lift manufacturer's procedures and "Owner/Employer Responsibilities" manual as follows:

Issued

2014-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-10-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $900.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.145(c)(2)(i): Caution signs were not used to warn against potential hazards or to caution against unsafe practices:    a) Service Area, Bay 3:  On or about 4/23/2014, employees were performing automotive work using the Benwil 100 Series Lift which had the safety instruction sign stating "LIFT NOT SAFE, DO NOT USE, MARK, 2/8/2012", which was  inaccurate, misleading and had no effect on the use or non-use of the lift by employees.  It should been removed as the equipment had been repaired, had further defects and repaired again with the sign in place without removing and replacing it each time there were repairs and subsequent defects found.      Abatement Note:  All employees should receive retraining in the following:            1. The employer's policy, procedure and use of safety caution signs;            2.  Employees retrained in the employer's policy and procedure when coming across a safety caution sign is still in place when the employees believe that the equipment has been repaired and is safe to use:            3.  Remove safety signs when equipment is safe to operate and inform all employees that repairs to the lift is complete;             4.  Instruct employees not to operate equipment when safety caution signs are in place.