OSHA Inspection: VITAL EARTH RESOURCES, INC.

Issued

Jul 13, 2015

Abate by

Jul 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(5): Every pit floor opening, infrequently used, as not guarded by a floor opening cover of standard strength and construction. While the cover was not in place, the pit or trap opening was not constantly attended by someone or protected on all exposed sides by removable standard railings:    a) This violation occurred on or about June 23, 2015 in bay 3 of the maintenance shop; where employees were exposed to the hazard of falling into the mechanic's pit, which was approximately 5-feet, 1-inch deep.

Issued

Jul 13, 2015

Abate by

Sep 1, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in the activities covered by 29 CFR 1910.147:    This violation occurred on or about June 23, 2015, and at times prior thereto, in bay 4 of the maintenance shop; where the employer did not develop, document and utilize procedures to control potentially hazardous energy while employees serviced a Case, 60XT skid steer loader:     a) The operators compartment was tilted forward, which gave employees access to the engine, hydrostatic pumps, motors and control linkage.  The machine was equipped with a "cab hold open latch" that is intended to prevent the operators compartment from inadvertently closing. The "cab hold open latch" was not locked or tagged in the engage position to prevent the unexpected released of stored energy created by gravity.    b) The right front wheel of the skid steer loader was removed.  The rear wheels were not blocked or chocked to isolate the loader from unexpectedly falling and/or moving horizontally, while front-end of the machine was being supported by two (2) jack stands.     c) The loader lift arms were raised with the support strut installed.  The strut was not equipped with a lockout or tagout device to prevent the unexpected release of stored energy created by gravity.

Issued

Jul 13, 2015

Abate by

Sep 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Each authorized employee did not receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control:    a) In the maintenance shop, each authorized employee, who serviced the Case, 60XT skid steer loader, was not trained in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, including but not limited to stored energy created by gravity, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.

Issued

Jul 13, 2015

Abate by

Jul 23, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(a)(6): The user did not see that all nameplates and markings were in place and were maintained in a legible condition:    a) The nameplate, load chart and caution label posted on the dashboard of the Datsun, 6000 forklift truck were not maintained in a legible condition, which exposed employees to the hazards of using the lift truck outside of safe operating limits.

Issued

Jul 13, 2015

Abate by

Jul 21, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(ii): Prior to permitting an employee to operate a powered industrial truck (except for training purposes), the employer did not ensure that each operator had successfully completed the training required by 29 CFR 1910.178(l):    a) In the maintenance shop, at least one employee operated the Datsun 6000 forklift truck without having first completed training consisting of formal instruction, practical training, and an evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.

Issued

Jul 13, 2015

Abate by

Jul 23, 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) The certifications for forklift truck training did not include the date of the evaluation, the identity of the person, who performed the training, and the identity of the person, who performed the evaluation.