OSHA Inspection: PALLETS 4 LESS INC.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer shall administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. For purposes of the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with appendix A and Table G-16a, and without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment.    a.  An employee in the shop area was exposed to continuous noise at 336% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with a 90 dB threshold, or equivalent sound level of approximately 98.7 dBA for the 390 minute sampling time on September 15, 2015. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 90 minutes not sampled.    b.  An employee in the shop area was exposed to continuous noise at 352% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with a 90 dB threshold, or equivalent sound level of approximately 99.1 dBA for the 390 minute sampling time on September 15, 2015. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 90 minutes not sampled.    c. An employee in the shop area was exposed to continuous noise at 146.5% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with a 90 dB threshold, or equivalent sound level of approximately 92.7 dBA for the 390 minute sampling time on September 15, 2015. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 90 minutes not sampled.    d. An employee in the shop area was exposed to continuous noise at 200% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with a 90 dB threshold, or equivalent sound level of approximately 95.0 dBA for the 390 minute sampling time on September 15, 2015. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 90 minutes not sampled.    e. An employee in the shop area was exposed to continuous noise at 298% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with a 90 dB threshold, or equivalent sound level of approximately 97.9 dBA for the 391 minute sampling time on September 15, 2015. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 89 minutes not sampled.    f. An employee in the shop area was exposed to continuous noise at 411% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with a 90 dB threshold, or equivalent sound level of approximately 100.2 dBA for the 389 minute sampling time on September 15, 2015. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 91 minutes not sampled.   g. An employee in the shop area was exposed to continuous noise at 210% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with a 90 dB threshold, or equivalent sound level of approximately 95.4 dBA for the 390 minute sampling time on September 15, 2015. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 90 minutes not sampled.   h. An employee in the shop area was exposed to continuous noise at 140% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with a 80 dB threshold, or equivalent sound level of approximately 92.4 dBA for the 339 minute sampling time on September 15, 2015. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 141 minutes not sampled.    The employer had not implemented a continuing, effective hearing conservation program.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Abate by

Jan 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,120 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer shall 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. On or about September 9, 2015, in the shop, employees were required to operate a powered industrial vehicle. The employee did not receive training on the safe operation of the powered industrial vehicle.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Abate by

Jan 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): The point of operation of machines whose operation exposes an employee to injury, shall be guarded. The guarding device shall be in conformity with any appropriate standards therefor, or, in the absence of applicable specific standards, shall be so designed and constructed as to prevent the operator from having any part of his body in the danger zone during the operating cycle.  a. On or about September 9, 2015, in the facility, employees were required to operate the Pallet Hawg 1-person Pallet Dismantlers on a daily basis. The horizontal band saw blades on the dismantlers were not guarded.  Employees were thereby exposed to lacerations/amputation hazards.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $840 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Guarding. Pulleys, any parts of which are seven (7) feet or less from the floor or working platform, shall be guarded in accordance with the standards specified in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section. Pulleys serving as balance wheels (e.g., punch presses) on which the point of contact between belt and pulley is more than six feet six inches (6 ft. 6 in.) from the floor or platform may be guarded with a disk covering the spokes.    On or about September 9, 2015, in the shop area, employees were required to use the chop saw that did not have an adequate guard for the pulley to the motor.  Thereby exposing employees to the hazards associated with rotating parts.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i): Where both runs of horizontal belts are seven (7) feet or less from the floor level, the guard shall extend to at least fifteen (15) inches above the belt or to a standard height, except that where both runs of a horizontal belt are 42 inches or less from the floor, the belt shall be fully enclosed in accordance with paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section.    a. On or about September 9, 2015, in the shop area, employees were required to use the chop saw that did not have an adequate guard for the belt to the motor.  Thereby exposing employees to hazards associated with moving belt.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $840 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): All pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings shall be provided with covers identified for the purpose. If metal covers are used, they shall be grounded. In completed installations, each outlet box shall have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy. Covers of outlet boxes having holes through which flexible cord pendants pass shall be provided with bushings designed for the purpose or shall have smooth, well-rounded surfaces on which the cords may bear.  a.  On or about September 9, 2015,  in the work area, employees were required to work where there were two junction boxes without covers and a third box with the cover open.  Employees were thereby exposed to the hazards of live electrical.

Issued

Nov 17, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.   a. On or about September 9, 2015, in the shop area, the company did not certify the assessment to determine the need for personal protective equipment, such as  gloves and safety glasses while performing woodworking tasks.