OSHA Inspection: SOZIO, INC.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Abate by

Dec 14, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): OSH ACT of 1970 Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 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 struck by hazards created by damaged racking systems:   a) Sozio, Inc. at 51 Ethel Road West, Piscataway, NJ site - Manufacturing storage area:  Employees were exposed to struck by hazards of collapsing racks of the metal storage racking system while the employees warehoused materials.  Industrial steel storage racks which were bent or damaged and were used to for storage of pallets containing various sized containers of chemicals and other supplies.  Racking system had damage to several stanchions.  Condition noted on or about 5/21/2015.   Feasible and acceptable means of abatement include:  1. Adhere to the ANSI standard MH16.1-2008, and the Rack Manufacturers Institute specifications for anchoring storage racks and repair and/or replace racks with damaged components.   2. Adhere to ANSI Standard MH16.2-1984 Manual of Safety Practices: A Code Of Safety Practices for the Use of Industrial and Commercial Steel Storage Racks, repair and/or replace racks with damaged components.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(d)(1): Employees were not able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge:    Sozio, Inc. at 51 Ethel Road West, Piscataway, NJ site - All exit route doors were not able to be opened from the inside at all times:    a) Cool Room (Combustible Liquid Storage) - Exit door located on the east side of the facility was sealed due to winter weather and/or which resulted in being unable to be open the door without the use of excessive force.    b) Warehouse B - Exit door located on the east side of the facility was sealed due to winter weather and/or which resulted in being unable to be open the door without the use of excessive force.    c) Flammable Storage Room - Exit door located on the west side of the facility was broken and once it was opened it could not be closed. The employer did not allow this door to be opened.    Condition noted on or about 5/21/2015.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(g)(2): Exit accesses were not at least 28 inches (71.1 cm) wide at all points.  Sozio, Inc. at 51 Ethel Road West, Piscataway, NJ site - All exit accesses were not maintained at least 28 inches wide at all points:  a) Warehouse A chemical storage area - A pallet filled with various sized containers of chemicals located at the end of the aisle reduced the emergency exit to approximately 16 inches.  b) Warehouse A chemical storage area - A pallet filled with various sized containers of chemicals located at the end of the aisle reduced the emergency exit to approximately 24 inches.  c) Warehouse B - Aisle completely blocked off on one end by pallets which are filled with 55 gallon drums of chemicals.  Condition noted on or about 5/21/2015.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Abate by

Dec 14, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $4,900

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l):    a) 51 Ethel Road West, Piscataway, NJ site - Facility:    Employer did not train and evaluate the company's forklift operators on the safe operation and maintenance of the powered industrial vehicles.    Condition noted on or about 5/21/2015.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Abate by

Dec 14, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(iii): An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance shall be conducted at least once every three years:  a) 51 Ethel Road West, Piscataway, NJ site - Facility:  Industrial truck operators were not evaluated at least once every 3 years. Employer failed to recertify the forklift operators at the worksite.  Documentation of training/ evaluation to include, but not limited to: Name of operator being evaluated, name of person providing evaluation, and date of evalutation.  Condition observed on or about 05/21/2015.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Abate by

Dec 14, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6): The certification did not include the name of the operator, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation:  a) 51 Ethel Road West, Piscataway, NJ site - Facility:  Employer failed to complete and maintain documentation of training/ evaluation to include, but not limited to: Name of the operator being evaluated, name of person(s) providing the evaluation, and the date of the evaluation and the training.  Condition noted on or about 05/21/2015.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Abate by

Dec 14, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7): Industrial trucks were not examined before being placed in service, and shall not be placed in service if the examination shows any condition adversely affecting the safety of the vehicle. Such examination shall be made at least daily:    Sozio, Inc. at 51 Ethel Road West, Piscataway, NJ site: Powered Industrial vehicles were placed in service after examination indicated that the safety of the vehicle could be affected:     a) Warehouse B - Drexel Forklift, Model # SLT-30, Serial # 46608D30521. Daily inspections are not documented at the site. Maintenance records from Barclay Brand Ferdon, dated 6/12/2014 indicate that the employer was notified of conditions which affected the operation of the forklift including but not limited to missing bolts, horn not working and the missing load back, however the documentation stated that a quote for repairs was requested but necessary repairs were never authorized and/or performed.    b) Warehouse A - Yale electric pallet jack, Model #MCW040L0N24TE083EE, Serial # B819_02086V. Daily inspection are not documented at the site. The pallet jack was observed in disrepair. The machine was held closed using tape.    Condition noted on or about 5/21/2015.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(ii):  The required working space about electric equipment rated 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, was used for storage:     Sozio, Inc. at 51 Ethel Road West, Piscataway, NJ site - Working spaces about electrical panel boxes were not maintained free of storage:    a)Warehouse A (Manufacturing Area) -  Electrical panel boxes rated 480V/ 3 phase  and 220V / single phase that control the warehouse outlets, office outlets, and water heaters  throughout the building were blocked by a pallet with boxes of material on them. A minimum of 30 inches on space was not maintained.         b) Warehouse B -  Electrical panel boxes rated 480V/ 3 phase  and 220V / single phase that control the General Reception lights, the garage door opener and the Receiving reception lights throughout the building were blocked by stored materials pallet with boxes of material on them. A minimum of 30 inches on space was not maintained.      Condition noted on or about 05/21/2015.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Abate by

Dec 14, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(b)(3)(i): All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in wet locations were not equipped with ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.    a) Sozio, Inc. at 51 Ethel Road West, Piscataway, NJ site - manufacturing:    Electrical outlet receptacle located adjacent to the slop sink was not equipped with ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection.    Condition noted on or about 05/26/2015.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $700

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(a)(3): The employer did not ensure that all places of employment were kept clean to the extent that the nature of the work allowed. The floor of every workroom is not maintained, so far as practicable, in a dry condition. Where wet processes are used, drainage shall be maintained and false floors, platforms, mats, or other dry standing places shall be provided, where practicable, or appropriate waterproof footgear shall be provided.  a) 51 Ethel Road West, Piscataway, NJ site - Manufacturing - Slop sink:  The employer failed to ensure that the walls and floor on and around the slop sink were kept clean and in a dry condition. Mold and/ or dirt were observed on and around the walls of the slop sink.  Condition noted on or about 5/26/2015.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  a) 51 Ethel Road West, Piscataway, NJ site - Warehouse B Receiving area:  The portable eye wash facility which was provided in the rear of the facility was not in working condition.  Condition noted on or about 05/21/2015.