OSHA Inspection: BIG LOTS, INC.

Issued

Jul 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $4,400

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.110(f)(2)(i): Containers in storage shall be located so as to minimize exposure to excessive temperature rise, physical damage, or tampering by unauthorized persons.    a. The employer had approximately 33 flammable gas cylinders behind the facility in a rack system. The rack was not secured to prevent unauthorized tampering. Employees were exposed to a fire/explosion hazard.

Issued

Jul 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,300 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(e): Defective and damaged equipment. Defective or damaged personal protective equipment shall not be used.    a. Employees were using a stock picker Serial #1A219496 with a lanyard that was frayed. Lanyard Model 01122. The employees were exposed to a fall hazard of up to 20 feet.

Issued

Jul 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $1,879 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables shall be connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief is provided that will prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws.    a. At receiving bay 251 the Versa light model 420 had damaged strain relief where the flexible cord came out of the light fixture. The employees were exposed to a contact with 110-120 Volt electrical current hazard.    b. At bay door 410 the flexible cord from the Versa Light model 420 had damaged strain relief where the flexible cord came out of the light fixture. The employees were exposed to a contact with 110-120 Volt electrical current hazard.

Issued

Jul 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(ii): If there is a defect or evidence of damage that might expose an employee to injury, the defective or damaged item shall be removed from service, and no employee may use it until repairs and tests necessary to render the equipment safe have been made.    a. On June 11, 2014, near the battery changing terminal, the industrial box fan cord insulation had been damaged and taped with electrical tape. Under the electrical tape their were bare copper conductors, thereby exposing employees to a contact with electrical current hazard.

Issued

Jul 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(5): Exposure of blades. When the periphery of the blades of a fan is less than seven (7) feet above the floor or working level, the blades shall be guarded. The guard shall have openings no larger than one-half (1/2) inch.  a. On June 11, 2014, the industrial box fan located next to the battery changing station had broken sections of guard leaving 1 inch opening in the guarding. Employees were exposed to an amputation hazard.

Issued

Jul 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $27,500 · Current $7,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(b): Secure storage. Storage of material shall not create a hazard. Bags, containers, bundles, etc., stored in tiers shall be stacked, blocked, interlocked and limited in height so that they are stable and secure against sliding or collapse.    a. The rack 401-001-3-1 was bent at the base, resulting in employees being exposed to caught in and struck by hazards.    b. The rack 402-072-1-1 was bend on the weld, the rack had a 2,500 pound capacity per pallet spot, each pallet in the area was 2,200 pounds. The employees were exposed to caught in and struck by hazards.    c. The rack 406-136-1-1 was cracked at the welding seem, the rack had a rated capacity of 2,500 pounds per pallet spot, each pallet weighed 2,250 pounds. The employees were exposed to caught in and struck by hazards.      Big Lots Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 314157280, citation number 1, item number 4 and was affirmed as a final order on September 30, 2010, with respect to a workplace located at 1010 Oneill Highway, Dunmore, PA 18512.

Issued

Jul 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $220 · Current $220

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in cabinets, boxes, and fittings shall be effectively closed.  a. The 120-208 Volt cabinet EP350UA78, near the 300 general office access had an unused opening, thereby exposing employees to a contact with electrical current.  b. The knife switch box DSC400B33-1 had an unused opening at the base of the box, thereby exposing employees to contact with electrical current.    Big Lots was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 108439, citation number 1, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on December 06, 2011, with respect to a workplace located at 300 Phillipi Road, Columbus, OH 43228.