OSHA Inspection: PALLET EXPRESS INC.

Issued

Sep 28, 2017

Abate by

Oct 18, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,541 · Current $4,692 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.26(c): Portable dock plates were not secured by anchoring them in place or using equipment or devices that prevent the dock plate from moving out of a safe position.  When the employer demonstrates that securing the dock plate is not feasible, the employer did not ensure there was sufficient contact between the dock plate and the surface to prevent the dock plate from moving out of a safe position:    a) Pallet Express - On or about June 28, 2017, while transporting pallets in and out of trailers, forklift drivers were exposed to forklift tip overs while utilizing portable dock plates which were damaged and missing vertical tabs underneath the dock plates, which allowed the dock plates to slide and move out of a safe position.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Sep 28, 2017

Abate by

Jan 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $11,408 · Current $10,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1): When information indicated that any employee's exposure equaled or exceed the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program:    a) Pallet Express - Pallet Repair Bldg #2 - An employee repairing pallets was exposed to continuous noise at 121.9% of the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 91.4 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 453 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 27 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not develop and implement a representative monitoring program for those employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about July 6, 2017.    b) Pallet Express - Pallet Build Room - An employee building pallets was exposed to continuous noise at 133.6% of the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 92 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 450 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 30 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not develop and implement a representative monitoring program for those employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about July 6, 2017.    c) Pallet Express - Pallet Repair Bldg #1 - An employee repairing pallets was exposed to continuous noise at 169.3% of the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 93.8 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 455 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 25 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not develop and implement a representative monitoring program for those employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about July 6, 2017.    d) Pallet Express - Pallet Repair Bldg #1 - An employee repairing pallets was exposed to continuous noise at 173.7% of the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 93.9 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 455 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 42 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not develop and implement a representative monitoring program for those employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about July 6, 2017.    Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written

Issued

Sep 28, 2017

Abate by

Nov 2, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:    a) Pallet Express - Pallet Repair Bldg #2 - An employee repairing pallets was exposed to continuous noise at 121.9% of the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 91.4 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 453 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 27 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not provide audiometric testing for an employee exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about July 6, 2017.  b) Pallet Express - Pallet Repair Bldg #1 - An employee repairing pallets was exposed to continuous noise at 169.3% of the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 93.8 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 455 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 25 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not provide audiometric testing for an employee exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about July 6, 2017.  c) Pallet Express - Pallet Repair Bldg #1 - An employee repairing pallets was exposed to continuous noise at 173.7% of the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 93.9 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 455 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 42 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not provide audiometric testing for an employee exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about July 6, 2017.  Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written

Issued

Sep 28, 2017

Abate by

Nov 2, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95(k). The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:  a) Pallet Express - Pallet Repair Bldg #2 - An employee repairing pallets was exposed to continuous noise at 121.9% of the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 91.4 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 453 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 27 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not institute a training program for employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about July 6, 2017.  b) Pallet Express - Pallet Build Room - An employee building pallets was exposed to continuous noise at 133.6% of the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 92 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 450 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 30 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not institute a training program for employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about July 6, 2017.  c) Pallet Express - Pallet Repair Bldg #1 - An employee repairing pallets was exposed to continuous noise at 169.3% of the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 93.8 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 455 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 25 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not institute a training program for employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about July 6, 2017.  d) Pallet Express - Pallet Repair Bldg #1 - An employee repairing pallets was exposed to continuous noise at 173.7% of the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 93.9 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 455 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 42 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not institute a training program for employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about July 6, 2017.  Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written

Issued

Sep 28, 2017

Abate by

Oct 10, 2017

Penalty

Initial $4,155 · Current $3,308 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.:    a) Pallet Express - On or about June 28, 2017, employees were exposed to flying particles and other compressed air hazards during the use of air nozzles for cleaning off forklifts and air filters.  The pressure was not reduced as required.      Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Sep 28, 2017

Abate by

Nov 2, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(c)(1): Toilet facilities were not provided in accordance with TABLE J-1 of this Section:  a) Pallet Express - On or about June 20, 2017, employees were not provided toilet facilities that included a water closet flushable by water.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Sep 28, 2017

Abate by

Nov 2, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(d)(2):  Lavatories were not provided with hand soap, hot and cold running water, and a means of drying hands, as specified in sections ii - iv of this paragraph:  a) Pallet Express - On or about June 20, 2017, employees were not provided lavatories that included hand soap, hot and cold running water, and a means of drying hands.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Sep 28, 2017

Abate by

Oct 18, 2017

Penalty

Initial $4,155 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(b): Material stored in tiers was not stacked, blocked, interlocked or limited in height so that it was stable and secure against sliding and collapse:     a) Pallet Express - On or about June 28, 2017, piles of pallets stacked 30-50 pallets high were leaning and overhanging the pallets below, exposing employees operating forklifts below to struck-by hazards.     Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.