OSHA Inspection: QUALITY PALLETS, INC.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,622 · Current $906 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE):        On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had employees exposed to struck-by and chemical hazards on a daily basis, and the employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present, which require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify, through a written certification, that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed:  On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had employees exposed to struck-by and chemical hazards on a daily basis, and the employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present and verify the assessment through a written certification.  This written certification would include the following:    a. Identifies the workplace evaluated,  b. Identifies the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed,  c. Date of the hazard assessment, and  d. Identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,622 · Current $906 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation:        On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had employees exposed to struck-by hazards in the eyes from the use of saws and pneumatic guns without eye protection.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(2): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses eye protection that provides side protection when there is a hazard from flying objects. Detachable side protectors (e.g. clip-on or slide-on side shields) meeting the pertinent requirements of this section are acceptable:  On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had employees exposed to struck-by hazards in the eyes from the use of saws and pneumatic guns without eye protection, and these employees wore prescription lenses.  The employer did not provide these employees with the following protection:      a. Eye protection that incorporates the prescription in its design or  b. Eye protection that can be worn over the prescription lenses without disturbing the proper position of the prescription lenses or the protective lenses.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,897 · Current $724 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2): Portable fire extinguishers were not visually inspected at least monthly:       On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had portable fire extinguishers within their facility for employee use in the event of a fire.  The company did not perform monthly visual inspections of the portable fire extinguishers to ensure that they were fully charged, undamaged, and ready for immediate employee use.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(1): An educational program was not provided for all employees to familiarize them with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting:       On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had portable fire extinguishers within their facility for employee use in the event of a fire.  The company did not provide an educational program to employees, in order to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards associated with incipient stage firefighting.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,622 · Current $906 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer did not 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 December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had employees operate powered industrial trucks without providing the employees with forklift training and evaluation.  This training would include:      a.         Formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material),  b.         Practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and   c.         Evaluation of the operators performance in the workplace.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6): The employer did not certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by this paragraph (l):  On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had employees operate powered industrial trucks, and the employer did not certify that each employee had received training and evaluation as specified by 1910.178(l).  This certification would include:     a.         Name of the operator,  b.         Date of the training, c.         Date of the evaluation, and  d.         Identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,622 · Current $906 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(p)(1): Powered industrial truck(s) found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe had not been  taken out of service until restored to safe operating condition(s):    On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had an employee operate a powered industrial truck with safety defects, without taking the powered industrial truck out of service until appropriate repairs could be made.  These defects included:      a.         Lights not functional  b.         Backup alarm was not operational.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7): Industrial trucks were not examined before being placed in service:       On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had employees operate powered industrial trucks daily, and the employer did not conduct daily forklift inspections.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,622 · Current $8,330

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not 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:     On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had employees exposed to unguarded moving parts on two automated nailing machines, manufactured by Morgan Machine Co., Inc.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Point(s) of operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s):        On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had employees exposed to physical hazards from the unguarded point of operation on two nailing machines manufactured by Morgan Machine Co., Inc., which were operated by ft. treadles.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,070 · Current $1,268 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(d)(1): Circular handfed crosscut table saw(s) were not guarded by an automatically adjusting hood which completely enclosed that portion of the saw above the table and above the material being cut:       On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had an employee exposed to amputation hazards from an unguarded table saw in the Spacer Room.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(g)(1): Swing cutoff saw(s) were not provided with an automatically adjusting hood that completely enclosed the upper half of the saw, the arbor end, and the point of operation at all positions of the saw:      On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had employees exposed to amputation hazards from two separate unguarded swing cutoff saws.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(h)(1): The sides of the lower exposed portion of the blade of radial saw(s) were not guarded to the full diameter of the blade by a device that automatically adjusted itself to the thickness of the stock and remained in contact with the stock being cut:       On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had an employee exposed to amputation hazards from an unguarded radial arm saw in the Packaging Center Building.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,622 · Current $906 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):        On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had employees exposed to amputation hazards from unguarded pulleys and the associated belt, on two nailing machines, which were manufactured by Morgan Machine Co., Inc.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i): Horizontal belts which had both runs 42 inches or less from the floor level were not fully enclosed by guards conforming to requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):     On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had employees exposed to amputation hazards from an unguarded belt associated with pulleys on two nailing machines, which were manufactured by Morgan Machine Co., Inc.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,622 · Current $906 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1)(iv): Electric equipment was not free from recognized hazards that were likely to cause serious physical harm to employees, such as damaged electrical insulation:    On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had employees exposed to electrical hazards from damaged insulation on an extension cord in the Spacer Room.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,622 · Current $906 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:      On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had employees exposed to electrical hazards from unused openings which were not effectively closed, in a Shop electrical cabinet.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,622 · Current $906 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(i): Portable cord and plug connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) were not visually inspected before use on any shift for external defects (such as loose parts, deformed and missing pins, or damage to outer jacket or insulation) and for evidence of possible internal damage (such as pinched or crushed outer jacket):    On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had employees exposed to electrical hazards from using damaged extension cords, and the employer did not visually inspect the extension cords before each use to discover evidence of external or internal defects.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(ii): There was a defect or evidence of damage that could have exposes an employee to injury and the defective or damaged item was not removed from service:  On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. had employees exposed to electrical hazards from using damaged extension cords, with tears and cuts in the outer insulation, in the Spacer Room, and these extension cords were not removed from service.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,622 · Current $906 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):      On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals including but not limited to Instapak Component A, Instapak Component B, and SmartFoam MLD 960-F48-0450; and the employer did not develop, implement, and maintain a written hazard communication program.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i): The employer did not compile a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present using a product identifier that was referenced on the appropriate safety data sheet:  On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. employees were exposed to Instapak Component A, Instapak Component B, and SmartFoam MLD 960-F48-0450 and other hazardous chemicals and the employer did develop a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present using a product identifier that is referenced on the appropriate safety data sheet.

Issued

Mar 8, 2017

Abate by

Mar 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  On or about December 14, 2016, Quality Pallets, Inc. employees were exposed to Instapak Component A, Instapak Component B, and SmartFoam MLD 960-F48-0450 and other hazardous chemicals, and the employer did not provide the employees with hazard communication training.  This training would include the following:    Information:  a.         The requirements of this section, b.         Any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals were present, and  c.         The location and availability of the written hazard communication program, including the required list(s) of hazardous chemicals, and material safety data sheets.    Training:  a.         Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in their work area, b.         The physical and health hazards of the chemicals in their work area,  c.         The measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards, and  d.         The details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer.