OSHA Inspection: GEM AUTO PARTS CO., INC.

Issued

Jan 23, 2015

Abate by

Mar 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,400 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 that were exposed to rack collapse and overhead struck-by hazards while working and walking in the back brake room storage area:   Location: Back brake rotor storage room    1. On or about 1/2/15, six loaded storage racks collapsed while employees were working on removing old racking units from service to install other racking units.  An employee was pinned between the storage racks that collapsed and received bruises.  The employee was able to return to work without loss time or restrictions.    Location: Back brake rotor storage room    On or about 1/7/15, employees working at the facility were exposed to rack collapse hazards and overhead struck-by hazards due to damaged racking and support pieces to racking missing and being used in the following but not limited to areas;    2. Rack by main entranceway containing brake parts# 121-45076 through 121-46074 - three shelves on the rack were bent, damaged, and out of plumb up to 2 and 3/8-inches.  The rack was missing cross bracing in the rear of the rack and the cross bracing was damaged on the side of the rack.    3. Middle aisle rack by ventilation fan and rack containing brake parts# 121-40073 through 121-42073 - the vertical upright was twisted, damaged, bent inwards, and out of plumb by approximately 5/8 of an inch.    4. Back corner wall rack on wooden floor containing brake parts #121-62090 through 121-63057 - rack was loaded, unstable, and leaning against the loaded rack next to it. The gap at the bottom of the rack was 2 and 3/4 inches, while the top of the rack was resting against the rack next to it.

Issued

Jan 23, 2015

Abate by

Mar 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.25(d)(2)(viii): The employer did not ensure that employees were not using portable wood ladder(s) with broken or missing steps, rungs, or cleats, broken side rails, or other faulty equipment:    Location: Store    On or about 1/7/15, employees were exposed to fall hazards while working from the following damaged and unstable wooden step ladders;    1. Back brake rotor storage room - the top of the 5-foot wooden step ladder was broken and split apart and the metal spreader device was worn out making the ladder unstable.    2. Front parts storage room - the metal spreader device on the 4-foot wooden step ladder was worn out and making the ladder unstable.    3. Side storage room - the metal spreader device 4-foot wooden step ladder was worn out and making the ladder unstable.

Issued

Jan 23, 2015

Abate by

Mar 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(d)(1): Employee(s) were not able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge:    Location: Back brake rotor storage room    On or about 1/2/15, six loaded storage racks collapsed in the entranceway, exposing the employees inside the room to fire and entrapment hazards due to a locked exit door.

Issued

Jan 23, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,400 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.    Location: Back brake rotor storage room    On or about 1/7/15, employees were exposed to tripping hazards while accessing automotive parts on storage racks due to the following materials not stored and left on the floor;    a) Racking uprights and parts,  b) Racking wooden shelves,   c) 1 storage rack,  d) Boxes of brake rotors,  e) 1 propane cylinder,  f) 2 snow shovels,  g) 2x4 board.    GEM Auto Parts Co., Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 315143867, citation number 1, item number 1a, and was affirmed as a final order on January 31, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at 204 Boston Street, Boston, MA.

Issued

Jan 23, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:  Location: Back brake rotor storage room  On or about 1/7/15, the employer obstructed an exit door with racking uprights and parts, racking wooden shelves, 1 storage rack, boxes of brake rotors, 1 propane cylinder, 2 snow shovels, and a 2x4 board stored and left on the floor blocking an exit door.  GEM Auto Parts Co., Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 315143867, citation number 1, item number 3, and was affirmed as a final order on January 31, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at 204 Boston Street, Boston, MA.

Issued

Jan 23, 2015

Abate by

Mar 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(f): Rise height and tread width were not uniform throughout any flight of stairs including any foundation structure used as one or more treads of the stairs:    Location: Back brake rotor storage room    On or about 1/7/15, the employer used a cinderblock as a step to access the exit door and the risers were not uniform, exposing employees to trip and fall hazards.