OSHA Inspection: WEST HARTFORD STAIRS & CABINETS, INC.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

May 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,170 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section (5)(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 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 wood dust explosions, deflagrations, and fire hazards due to the lack of preventative and/or protective measures in a wood waste collection systems and related equipment, such as the following:    Dust System:  On, or about, April 22, 2014, employees were exposed to fire and/or explosion hazards because the wood waste collection system that processed combustible wood dust, including the fans, pneumatic conveying ducts and dust collection unit was not equipped with a spark detection system and abort gate(s) on the ducts that recycled cleaned air from the dust collection unit back into the building.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,038 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent):        Second Floor of Plant:  On, or about, June 11, 2014, employees were observed dumping shop-made, wooden, wheeled carts into a forktruck dump unit while standing at the edge of the open sided floor on the second story of the building.  The guardrail and midrail had been removed in order to position the carts at the edge of the opening.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Dec 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,170 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(b)(1): At least two exits routes were not available to permit prompt evacuation of employees during an emergency:    Spray Shop:  On, or about, April 24, 2014, the Spray Shop was provided with a single means of egress.  Due the size of the room and the presence of flammable materials, the room was required to be provided with at least two exits.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Nov 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,170 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(9)(iii): Combustible waste material and residues in a building or unit operating area were not kept to a minimum, stored in covered metal receptacles and disposed of daily:  Paint Shop:  On, or about, April 24, 2014, cloth rags that were used with wiping stains and mineral spirits, Category 2 and 3 flammable liquids, were not disposed of into covered metal receptacles.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Nov 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(e)(1):  The storage of flammable liquids or liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 degrees F (93 degrees C) in connection with spraying operations did not conform to the requirements of 1910.106:  A.  Spray Shop:  On, or about, April 24, 2014, Finish One Economy Thinner, a Category 2 flammable liquid, was left in an uncovered bucket next to the Primer Booth to clean spraying equipment.  Ref.  1910.106(e)(2)(iv)  B.  Spray Shop:  On, or about, April 24, 2014, Sherwin Williams Lacquer Thinner, a Category 2 flammable liquid was left in an uncovered bucket next to the Sealer Booth. Ref. 1910.106(e)(2)(iv)

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,170 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(b)(5)(i): The spraying operations was not designed, installed or maintained that the average air velocity over the open face of the booth (or booth cross section during spraying operations) was not less than 100 linear feet per minute  Spray Shop:  On, or about, April 24, 2014, the average velocity over the open face of the Primer Booth was 50 feet per minute due to a lack of make-up air in the work area.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,302 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(g)(2): All spraying areas were not kept as free from the accumulation of deposits of combustible residues as practical, with cleaning conducted daily if necessary.  Also, scrapers, spuds, or other such tools used for cleaning purposes were not of non-sparking material:    Spray Shop:  On, or about, April 22, 2014, excessive overspray had caked onto the interior surfaces of the Primer Booth.  Also, two metal hoes were used to scrape overspray off the interior walls and floors of the spray booths.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Nov 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,736 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(3): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee, who wore prescription lenses while engaged in operations that involved eye hazards, used protection that incorporated the prescription in its design, or wore eye protection over the prescription glasses or protective lenses with side shields:   Cabinet Shop, Cutting Area:  On, or about, April 24, 2014, an employee who used various wood working equipment such as, but not limited to, drilling machines and saws, was wearing non-safety prescription glasses without side shields.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,736 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(a)(9): All belts, pulleys, gears, shafts, and moving parts were not guarded in accordance with the specific requirements of 1910.219:    Rough Mill:  On, or about, April 28, 2014, the following power transmission equipment provided on wood working machinery was not properly guarded:  A.  Two rubber v-belts provided on the American Machinery & Motor Company jointer were exposed on the bottom peripheral side.    B.  The chain and sprocket drive provided on the G.M. Diehl Machine Works No. 750 straight line rip saw was not provided with a cover or guard to prevent contact with the drive chain and sprockets.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,038 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(a)(15): Combs (featherboards) or suitable jigs were not provided at the workplace for use when a standard guard could not be used, as in dadoing, grooving, jointing, moulding, and rabbeting:  Stair Fabrication:  On, or about, April 14, 2014, an employee suffered a multiple finger amputation while using the #1 American machine to put a "three flute" design into a piece of wood.  The operation could not be done with standard guards installed and the company had not fabricated a suitable jig to hold the wood pieces.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Nov 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,736 Reduced

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:  A.  Rough Mill:  On, or about, April 24, 2014, the flexible cord that energized the American Machinery & Motor Company jointer was damaged and wrapped with electrical tape.  B.   Cabinet Shop, Assembly Department:  On, or about, April 24, 2014, a reel-drop extension cord used at the Router station had a damaged outer insulation jacket.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Nov 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,170 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:  On, or about, April 28, 2014, wood dust had accumulated in non-dust tight floor mounted receptacles in the following locations:  A.  Layout Department:  Receptacle located under layout work bench. B.  Assembly Department:  Receptacles located under Assembly bench 3.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Nov 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,170 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(g)(5): The path to ground from circuits, equipment, and enclosures was not permanent, continuous, and effective:   A.  Stair Area, Rail Department:  On, or about, April 24, 2014, two quad receptacles mounted on the workbench showed an open ground when tested.  B.  Cabinet  Shop, Assembly Department:  On, or about, April 24, 2014, the receptacles that were used to provide power to Workbench 2 and Workbench 3 were not properly wired in that there was not path to ground for the equipment grounding conductors.  The receptacles located under the bench powered plug mold and reel-type extension cords that employees used daily with various hand-held power tools.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Nov 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2): Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":  Baluster Room:  On, or about, April 24, 2014, the exit door leading from the Baluster Room to the exterior of the building was not provided with an EXIT sign.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Nov 18, 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.  Stair Fabrication:  On, or about, April 24, 2014, the door leading to the Furnace Room was not provided with a sign indicating its function or a "not an exit" sign.  B.  Baluster Room:  On, or about, April 24, 2014, the door leading from the Baluster Room to the sprinkler room was not provided with a sign indicating its function or a "not an exit" sign.  C.  Assembly Shop Exit Stairwell:  The doorway leading to the furnace room was not provided with a sign indicating its function or a "not an exit sign".