OSHA Inspection: MATERIAL HANDLING SYSTEMS, INC./MHS TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.

Issued

Jul 29, 2016

Abate by

Jun 24, 2017

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.251(e)(8): Synthetic web slings were not immediately removed from service if any of the following conditions specified in 1926.251(e)(8)(i) through (e)(8)(v) were present:  (i) Acid or caustic burns; (ii) Melting or charring of any part of the sling surface; (iii) snags, punctures, tears, or cuts; (iv) broken or worn stitches; or (v) distortion of fittings.      On or about February 8, 2016, employees used a damaged synthetic sling with burns to hoist/lower conveyor equipment, exposing employees to struck by hazards while using damaged slings.        Abatement certification is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Jul 29, 2016

Abate by

Jun 24, 2017

Penalty

Initial $6,600 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.351(e): Arc welding or cutting operation(s) were not shielded by non combustible or flame proof screens to protect employees and other persons working in the vicinity from the direct rays of the arc.    On or about February 8, 2016, employees used a combustible polyethylene tarp as a cutting/welding screen, exposing employees to fire hazards during welding operations.    Abatement certification is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Jul 29, 2016

Abate by

Jun 24, 2017

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(a)(2): The employer did not determine if the walking/working surfaces on which its employees were to work on, had the strength and structural integrity to support employees safely.     On or about March 8, 2016, an employee fell 13.5 feet while walking/working on a catwalk/mezzanine where the grating panels were not secured into place.  The employer had not determined that the surface could safely support the employees.     Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jul 29, 2016

Abate by

Jun 24, 2017

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $60,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1): Each employee on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level is not protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.     On or about February 8, 2016, an employee was exposed to a 22.2 foot fall hazard while engaged in demolition activities on the PD10-3 conveyor system.  The employer did not ensure each employee was protected by means of a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system.       Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jul 29, 2016

Abate by

Jun 24, 2017

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $60,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1): Each employee on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level is not protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.     Employees are exposed to fall hazards while engaged in construction and demolition activities 6 feet or more above lower levels.  The employer does not protect each employee by means of a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system.       The following instances most recently occurred February 6-8, 2016, at the above addressed jobsite:      Employees engaged in demolition activities are not protected against falling from the S1-F1-1 conveyor system, thereby exposing the employees to a 11.2 foot fall hazard.      To abate this hazard in the future, the employer must ensure that its employees performing construction activities at six feet or greater are protected from falls, and that no employee is working without adequate fall protection.     Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jul 29, 2016

Abate by

Jun 24, 2017

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $60,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1): Each employee on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level is not protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.     An employee is exposed to fall hazards while engaged in construction and demolition activities 6 feet or more above lower levels.  The employer does not protect each employee by means of a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system.       The following instance most recently occurred on February 8, 2016, at the above addressed jobsite:      An employee engaged in demolition activities is not protected against falling from the PD12-3 conveyor system, thereby exposing the employee to a 11.2 foot fall hazard.       To abate this hazard in the future, the employer must ensure that its employees performing construction activities at six feet or greater are protected from falls, and that no employee is working without adequate fall protection.     Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jul 29, 2016

Abate by

Jun 24, 2017

Penalty

Initial $15,400 · Current $9,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2): The employer is not instructing each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe condition(s) and the regulation(s) applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazard(s) or other exposure to illness or injury.     Employees are exposed to fall and struck-by hazards while engaged in construction and demolition activities.  The employer does not instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions or the proper regulations to control or eliminate any hazard(s) or other exposure to illness or injury.     The following instance most recently occurred on February 8, 2016, at the above addressed jobsite:      Employees engaged in construction and demolition activities are not protected against fall and struck-by hazards, thereby exposing employees to associated injuries.       Material Handling Systems, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1926.21(b)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 967995, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on August 13, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 6000 Riverside Dr. Keasbey, NJ 08832.     To abate this hazard in the future, the employer must ensure that its employees performing construction activities are instructed in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions, and the regulations applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazards.     Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jul 29, 2016

Abate by

Jun 24, 2017

Penalty

Initial $38,500 · Current $23,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(3): Each employee in a hoist area is not protected from falling 6 feet (1.8 m) or more to lower levels by guardrail systems or personal fall arrest systems:    An employee is exposed to fall hazards while engaged in hoisting conveyor equipment from an elevated catwalk.  The employer does not protect each employee by means of a guardrail system, safety net system, personal fall arrest system, or an alternative fall protection measure.       The following instance most recently occurred on February 1, 2016, at the above addressed jobsite:     An employee engaged in hoisting activities is not protected against falling from a catwalk, thereby exposing the employee to a 20 foot fall hazard.       Material Handling Systems, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1926.501(b)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1089484, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on October 13, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 150 S. Lombard Addison, IL 60101.    Material Handling Systems, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1926.21(b)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 967995, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on August 13, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 6000 Riverside Dr. Keasbey, NJ 08832.    To abate this hazard in the future, the employer must ensure that its employees performing hoisting operations at six feet or greater are protected from falls, and that no employee is working without adequate fall protection.      Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).