OSHA Inspection: COMFORTS OF HOME SERVICES, INC.

Issued

Dec 9, 2015

Abate by

Jan 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1)(i): 29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1)(i): Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level was not guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) with a toeboard wherever, beneath the open sides, persons can pass:    a. Mezzanine Main shop area- Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent) that incorporated toeboards.  Employees were exposed to being struck by falling objects.    b. Mezzanine 2nd shop area- Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent) that incorporated toeboards.  Employees were exposed to being struck by falling objects.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Dec 9, 2015

Abate by

Jan 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(1): Every flight of stairs having four or more risers shall be equipped with standard stair railings or standard handrails as specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (v) of this section, the width of the stair to be measured clear of all obstructions except handrails:    The employer did not provide standard railings or guard rails on stairways having four or more risers. In the main shop area the stairs that leads to the mezzanine level did not have a mid rail and only had a top railing for one side. Employees were exposed to a fall hazard.     Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Dec 9, 2015

Abate by

Jan 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Application. Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.    The employer did not provide personal protective equipment, fall protection devices such as personal fall arrest systems incorporating harnesses, for employees to wear when they were required to climb on top of the trailers to perform work. This exposed employees to a fall hazard of approximately 10 feet to the concrete floor.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Dec 9, 2015

Abate by

Jan 13, 2016

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(ii): Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.    The employer did not ensure that each operator had successfully completed the training consisting of a combination of formal instruction, practical training, and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace. Employees were exposed to injury form struck by hazards.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Dec 9, 2015

Abate by

Jan 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1): Sufficient access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.    Sufficient access and working space was not provided and maintained at electrical panelboards to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance. Employees were exposed to fire hazards from insufficient access to electrical panels which were blocked by storage and equipment.      Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 1903.19(d).

Issued

Dec 9, 2015

Abate by

Jan 13, 2016

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(d)(2): Panelboards shall be mounted in cabinets, cutout boxes, or enclosures designed for the purpose and shall be dead front:    The electrical panelboards had openings in the dead front that were not effectively closed to prevent employees from gaining access to live electrical parts. The electrical panels are used daily by employees as switches for the shop lights openings had duct tape over them. This exposed employees to a shock and electrocution.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Dec 9, 2015

Abate by

Jan 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i): Except as elsewhere required or permitted by this standard, live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more shall be guarded against accidental contact by use of approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures or by any of the following means:  Electrical circuit panel enclosure doors were left open. This exposed employees to an inadvertent electrical shock hazard. There are two main electrical circuit breaker panels that employees use to turn on/off the shop lights, both panels were not securely closed.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Dec 9, 2015

Abate by

Feb 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employers shall develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met, and which also includes the following:    The employer did not develope, implement, and maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program for which describes how the criteria specified in 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met for employees exposed to hazardous chemicals such as, but not limited to, isocyanates, resins, adhesives, solvents, denatured alcohol, and paint.    Abatement documentation is required in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d)

Issued

Dec 9, 2015

Abate by

Jan 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.1(a)(2): If your company had more than ten (10) employees at any time during the last calendar year, you must keep OSHA injury and illness records unless your establishment is classified as a partially exempt industry under 29 CFR 1904.2.    The employer did not maintain OSHA injury and illness records.The company has more than ten (10) employees at any time during the last calendar year and did not keep OSHA injury and illness records.    Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Dec 9, 2015

Abate by

Feb 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.38(a): Application. An employer must have an emergency action plan whenever an OSHA standard in this part requires one. The requirements in this section apply to each such emergency action plan.    The employer did not establish a written emergency evacuation plan for employees expected to evacuate in the event of a fire or other emergency. This exposed employees to fire hazards in case of such an emergency.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).