OSHA Inspection: PLANET AID, INC.

Issued

Mar 5, 2018

Abate by

Mar 22, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,934 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 in that employees were exposed to struck by hazards:   Employees operating baling equipment in the production area were exposed to amputation and crushing hazards in that employees were not properly trained to recognize and minimize hazards associated with the baling equipment.   AMONG OTHER METHODS, SOME FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT  METHOIDS TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD MAY INCLUDE,  BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:  1. Develop, implement and enforce procedures that ensure the employees operating, maintaining and repairing the baling machines are those employees working in the vicinity of the machines  are aware of the hazards and the operating guidelines.  2. Perform a Hazard Assessment of the various types of baling equipment utilized at the site and the hazards associated with their use as indicated in Paragraph 8.2.1.a of ANSI Z 245.5 - 2008 (Baling Equipment - Safety Requirements for Installation, Maintenance and Operation) paying particular attention to the capabilities, qualifications, and required training of the employees who may be exposed to these hazards.   3. Perform an evaluation of the methods of controlling the hazards identified in the hazard assessment as indicated in Paragraph 8.2.1.b of ANSI Z 245.5 - 2008 (Baling Equipment - Safety Requirements for Installation, Maintenance and Operation) to include industry and regulatory requirements, machine operation, inspection and maintenance of the specific bales at the site.  4. Develop a written program concentrating on the results of the hazard assessment and evaluation as indicated in Para graph 8.2.1.c of ANSI Z 245.5 - 2008 (Baling Equipment - Safety Requirements for Installation, Maintenance and Operation) including procedures for the operation, inspection, and maintenance of the balers on site to include prohibited practices, record keeping, training requirements with references and access to documents such as the operating manuals.  5. Implement the written program as stipulated in the Paragraphs 8.3 through 8.4.1.c of ANSI Z 245.5 - 2008 (Baling Equipment - Safety Requirements for Installation, Maintenance and Operation) concentrating on the training of employees, supervisors, contract laborers and all other persons engaged in the operation, cleaning, maintenance, service or repair of on-site baling equipment.  The employer is required to ensure that employee access to the machine manuals and in-house written procedures and ensuring machine specific individual employee training records are maintained.

Issued

Mar 5, 2018

Abate by

Mar 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $129,336 · Current $60,000 Reduced

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:   Employees in the warehouse, operating and working near hydraulic balers were exposed to crushing, struck-by, and amputation hazards in that the hydraulic balers were not adequately guarded in the following instances:  a) The PTR Hydraulic baler on the east side of the warehouse - the gate did not fully close, leaving a 1 inch opening between the gate and the chamber door when the baler was operating.  (b) The American International Company baler on the west side of the warehouse - the gate did not fully close, leaving a  1 inch opening between the gate and the chamber door when the baler was operating, and the baler was operational with the gate open up to 28 inches.   Planet Aid, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.212(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1201084, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on May 03, 2017 with respect to a workplace located at 19 Elmwood Kansas City KS 66103.