OSHA Inspection: QUALITY CHRISTMAS TREE LTD

Issued

May 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,400 · Current $1,700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Materials or equipment were placed, either permanently or temporarily, within the exit route.    The employer does not ensure that no materials or equipment is placed, either permanently or temporarily, within the exit route.  This violation was observed on or about February 26, 2015 in the front of the Houston Garden Centers store where an exit door on the south face of the building was blocked on the outside by two garbage cans.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that materials or equipment will not be placed, either permanently or temporarily, within the exit route.

Issued

May 20, 2015

Abate by

Jun 9, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.    The employer does not ensure that employees exposed to injurious corrosive materials have suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes, provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.  This violation was observed on or about February 26, 2015 on the west exterior wall of the main Houston Garden Centers building where an existing eyewash was not in working order and employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials in the form of Clorox Regular Bleach (sodium hypochlorite).    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that employees exposed to injurious corrosive materials have suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes.

Issued

May 20, 2015

Abate by

Jun 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met.    The employer does not have a written hazard communication program.  This violation was observed on or about February 26, 2015 at the Houston Garden Centers store where employees did not have a written hazard communication program when handling or using chemicals such as, but not limited to: Clorox Regular Bleach and Fertilome Hi-Yield 38 Plus Turf Termite & Insect Control.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that employees have a written hazard communication plan that also meets the requirements outlined in 29 C.F.R. 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h).

Issued

May 20, 2015

Abate by

Jun 9, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(1): Employers did not have a safety data sheet in the workplace for each hazardous chemical which they use.   Employer does not maintain safety data sheets (SDS) in the workplace for each hazardous chemical which is used.  This violation was observed on or about February 26, 2015 at the Houston Garden Centers store where employees work with hazardous chemicals such as, but not limited to: Clorox Regular Bleach and Fertilome Hi-Yield 38 Plus Turf Termite & Insect Control and did not have safety data sheets (SDS) available in the workplace.   Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that employees have safety data sheets in the workplace for each hazardous chemical which they use.

Issued

May 20, 2015

Abate by

Jun 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.38(b): The employer with less than 10 employees did not have an emergency action plan, either written or oral, with procedures for employees to follow in case of a fire or other emergency.    The employer does not ensure that employees have an emergency action plan, either written or oral, with procedures for employees to follow in case of a fire or other emergency.  This violation was observed on or about February 26, 2015 at the Houston Garden Centers store where employees did not have an emergency action plan, either written or oral.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that employees have an emergency action plan, either written or oral, with procedures for employees to follow in case of a fire or other emergency.

Issued

May 20, 2015

Abate by

Jun 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area.    The employer did not provide training to employees on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment.  This violation was observed on February 26, 2015 at the Houston Garden Centers store where employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals such as, but not limited to: Clorox Regular Bleach and Fertilome Hi-Yield 38 Plus Turf Termite & Insect Control and did not know have any training on the hazardous chemicals in their work area.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that employees are provided information on the requirements of the hazardous communication standard.