OSHA Inspection: NICOLET HARDWOODS CORPORATION

Issued

Feb 10, 2017

Abate by

Mar 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,387 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, and service rooms shall be kept clean and orderly and in a sanitary condition.    On or about December 1, 2016, employees were exposed to fire hazards created by the excessive buildup of sawdust and wood chips on the chipper building's walls, ceilings, and equipment.

Issued

Feb 10, 2017

Abate by

Mar 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): The floor of every workroom shall be maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition. Where wet processes are used, drainage shall be maintained, and false floors, platforms, mats, or other dry standing places should be provided where practicable:    On or about December 1, 2016, employees were exposed to fire hazards created by the excessive buildup of sawdust and wood chips on the chipper building's floors.

Issued

Feb 10, 2017

Abate by

Mar 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,387 · Current $2,694 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures shall be developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees are engaged in the activities covered by this section:    (a)  The employer did not develop, document and utilize an energy control procedure for employees performing servicing and maintenance tasks on the Precision Model 66 flywheel chipper located chipper area.     (b)  The employer did not develop, document and utilize an energy control procedure for employees performing servicing and maintenance tasks on the Precision Shaker Table located in the chipper area.

Issued

Feb 10, 2017

Abate by

Mar 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer shall conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements of this standard are being followed:  The employer did not conduct periodic inspections of their written energy control procedures for employees performing servicing and maintenance work in the sawmill.

Issued

Feb 10, 2017

Abate by

Mar 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,387 · Current $2,694 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:    (a)  On or about December 1, 2016, pulleys underneath the Precision shaker table located in the chipper area were not guarded to prevent employees from accessing the rotating parts and ingoing nip points.    (b)  On or about December 1, 2016, pulleys powering the shaker blower motor located in the chipper area were not guarded to prevent employees from accessing the rotating parts and ingoing nip points.

Issued

Feb 10, 2017

Abate by

Mar 13, 2017

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.  On or about December 1, 2016, horizontal belts underneath the Precision shaker table located in the chipper area were not guarded to prevent employees from accessing the rotating parts and ingoing nip points.

Issued

Feb 10, 2017

Abate by

Mar 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i): Vertical and inclined belts shall be enclosed by a guard conforming to standards in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section.  On or about December 1, 2016, an inclined belt powering the shaker blower motor located in the chipper area was not guarded to prevent employees from accessing the rotating parts and ingoing nip points.

Issued

Feb 10, 2017

Abate by

Mar 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,387 · Current $2,694 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(21)(i): Whole-log chippers. The feed system to the chipper shall be arranged so the operator does not stand in direct line with the chipper spout (hopper). The chipper spout shall be enclosed to a height of not less than 36 inches from the floor or the operator's platform. A safety belt and lifeline shall be worn by workmen when working at or near the spout unless the spout is guarded. The lifeline shall be short enough to prevent workers from falling into the chipper:    On or about December 1, 2016, employees were exposed to the point of operation of the Precision Model 66 Flywheel Chipper located in the chipper area.  The flywheel guard extended approximately 24 inches from the flywheel and the shaker table was approximately 24 inches from the floor allowing employees access to the point of operation when clearing jams and feeding material.