OSHA Inspection: RIDGE CREEK INDUSTRIES, LLC

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,040 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(8): Every floor hole into which persons can accidentally walk were not guarded.  On or about 1/7/15, at the Trim Conveyor at the Planning Mill, employees were exposed to fall hazards of 27" from the work walkway/platform to the conveyor itself as it was not covered and did not have guardrails around the area to prevent employees from accidentally stepping in.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Mar 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,820 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(b)(1): 29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1):  Open-sided floor(s) or platform(s) 4 feet or more above the adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded by standard railings (or the equivalent as specified in 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(3)(i) through (v)), on all open sides.  Employees were exposed to fall hazards as employees were required to access work areas that were not protected from falls. Instances included: 1  Plywood Platform  outside portion  2  Covered Plywood Platform  missing lower rail  3  Lumber Sorter Platform  4  Kiln building roof (as they access motors for maintenance at edge of roof)    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $780 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(b): Fixed stairs were not provided for access from one structure level to another where operations necessitated regular travel between levels, and for access to operating platforms at any equipment which requires attention routinely during operations.  On or about 1/7/15, at the lower Plywood Platform, employees were exposed to trip and fall hazards as fixed stairs were not provided and instead employees used a pallet to access the platform.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(h): Standard railings were not provided on the open sides of all exposed stairways and stair platforms.  On or about 1/7/15, at the upper plywood platform, fixed stairs did not have railings on open sides of the stairways.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Apr 8, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,185 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1): The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative.  On or about 1/7/15, in the production area, where employees were providing service and maintenance to various site equipment and the employer did not ensure a Lockout/Tagout program was implemented to ensure those employees were protected against unexpected energies while performing that work.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,040 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(i): Unguarded projecting shaft end(s) did not present a smooth edge and end and projected more than one half the diameter of the shaft.  On 1/7/15, in the production area, employees were exposed to caught between hazards as shaft ends were not guarded. Instances included: 1 - Conveyor at Plywood Platform - 9 1/4 inches and 2 inches in diameter 2 -- Plywood Stacker Conveyor - 2 locations - 6 and 3 inches in length and 2 inches in diameter   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o).  On or about 1/7/15, at the Ash Auger, belt and pulleys on motors were not fully guarded and/or enclosed.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i): Horizontal belts which had both runs seven feet or less from the floor level were not guarded with a guard that extended to at least fifteen inches above the belt.  On or about 1/7/15, at the Ash Auger, belt and pulleys on motors were not fully guarded and/or enclosed.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,820 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven -7 feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed.  On or about 1/7/15, the employer did not ensure chains and sprockets were guarded in the following locations:   1  @ Plywood Platform  outside portion 2  On the Lug Chain @ Lumber Sorter  3  @ Outside Trim Conveyor 4  @ upper platform for Sorter at Planer Mill 5 - @ Stick Conveyor    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $780 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1): Electrical equipment was not free from recognized hazards that were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.  On 1/7/15, employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards as a temporary electrical extension cords near the Ash auger was used to jump batteries in outdoor locations was missing a grounding pin.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $780 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i): Except as elsewhere required or permitted by Subpart S of Part 1910, live parts of electric equipment operating  at 50 volts or more were not guarded against accidental contact by use of approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures or by any of the means identified in paragraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i).  On or about 1/7/15, near the Ash Auger, live electrical parts were exposed as cover plates for boxes were left off exposing 110v wiring within. The equipment controlled sensors for equipment at the auger.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Jan 29, 2015

Abate by

Feb 25, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $780 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.  On 1/7/15, employees were exposed to trip and electrical hazards as electrical extension cords were used in lieu of permanent wiring to power various equipment, including:   1 - In the Treatment Plant at the vacuum pump 2 - At the Ash Auger to jump batteries for saw dust trailers   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION WORKSHEET).