OSHA Inspection: BLUEGRASS LAWN CARE OF ST. LOUIS, LLC

Issued

Mar 30, 2016

Abate by

May 16, 2016

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees:  On 10/19/2015, Bluegrass Lawn Care of St. Louis, LLC at the job site located at SSM St. Joseph Medical Park, 1475 Kisker Road, St. Charles, MO, an eXmark Lazer Z Propane riding lawn mower was used for cutting grass on a slope that exceeded 15 degrees.  This exposed the employee operating the mower to a struck-by hazard of the mower rolling over and crushing the employee.  At approximately 3:00 pm, on 10/19/2015, as the mower being used on the slope that exceeded 15 degrees, it rolled over on top of the employee striking him and causing serious injury to his pelvis.  Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of hazard abatement include: 1)      The employer following the requirements of the mower manufacturers operating instructions which prohibits operating the mower on slopes exceeding 15 degrees; 2)      The employer training its employees not to operate on slopes exceeding 15 degrees; 3)      The employer taking steps to monitor and enforce safety practices learned in training.   Disclaimer: a)  The employer is not limited to the abatement method(s) suggested by OSHA. b)  The employer is responsible for selecting and implementing an effective abatement method.

Issued

Mar 30, 2016

Abate by

May 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 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).   On or about 03/09/2016, Bluegrass Lawn Care of St. Louis, LLC had not ensured that each powered industrial truck (forklift) operator was competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training.  Employees were assigned duties which had them to operate powered industrial trucks without the required training.

Issued

Mar 30, 2016

Abate by

May 16, 2016

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks. Examples of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc.:  On or about 03/09/2016, employees from Bluegrass Lawn Care of St. Louis, LLC were exposed to hazards such as those created by rotating parts of the JET horizontal band saw.  Portions of the rotating blade were not guarded.

Issued

Mar 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $350 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.39(a)(2): Basic Requirement. Within twenty-four (24) hours after the in-patient hospitalization of one or more employees or an employee's amputation or an employee's loss of an eye, as a result of a work-related incident, you must report the in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye to OSHA:   On or about 10/19/2015, an employee working for Bluegrass Lawn Care of St. Louis, LLC received a struck-by crushing injury from an eXmark Lazer Z riding lawn mower rolling over on the employee and was hospitalized over the incident.  Bluegrass Lawn Care of St. Louis, LLC failed to report the incident to OSHA within the specified timeframe.