OSHA Inspection: NATIONAL CARPET OUTLET INC.

Issued

Aug 29, 2018

Abate by

Oct 17, 2018

Penalty

Initial $8,315 · Current $5,821 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1): The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative:  On or about July 25, 2018, the employer failed to establish a program for the control of hazardous energy when conducting service and maintenance on equipment. Employees routinely conduct blade changes on the EZ Cut #C-10 Rug Cutter (S/N C54MK1CABEFG449M). Employees are exposed to electric energy which controls the operation of the machine, and pneumatic energy which controls the movement of the blade up/down the machine.

Issued

Aug 29, 2018

Abate by

Sep 25, 2018

Penalty

Initial $4,989 · Current $3,492 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(2): The educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting was not provided to all employees upon initial employment, and at least annually thereafter:  On or about July 25, 2018, the employer failed to provide portable fire extinguisher training.   Note the employer may exercise one of the following options:   1. Provide portable fire extinguishers as specified in 29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1), meet the distribution requirements per 29 CFR 1910.157(d) (75 to the nearest extinguisher for Class A fires and 50 to the nearest unit for Class B fires), and provide training and education for all employees in the use of such equipment and the hazards associated with incipient stage fire fighting as specified in 29 CFR 1910.157(g).  The other sections of 29 CFR also apply.   2. Provide extinguishers as specified in 29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1), designate certain employees to be the only employees authorized to use such equipment and require all other employees to immediately evacuate upon the sound of the fire alarm, establish this in writing in an emergency action plan as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.38(a) and train/educate designated employees per 1910.157(g).  Utilizing this option exempts the employer from distribution requirements of 29 CFR 1910.157(d).   3. Establish a written fire safety policy which requires the immediate and total evacuation of employees from the workplace upon the sounding of a fire alarm signal.  This policy shall include an emergency action plan and a fire prevention plan as specified in 29 CFR 1910.38(a) and 29 CFR 1910.39(a).  Utilizing this option exempts the employer from the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.157 to include the need for providing portable fire equipment unless a specific standard requires that a portable fire extinguisher be provided (such as those requirements in 29 CFR 1910.106/107 related to the use/storage of flammable/combustible liquids).  If extinguishers are provided, but not intended for employee use, 29 CFR 1910.157(e) and (f) are still applicable (inspection, maintenance, and testing of equipment).

Issued

Aug 29, 2018

Abate by

Oct 17, 2018

Penalty

Initial $8,315 · Current $5,821 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each operator had successfully completed the training consisting of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace:  On or about July 25, 2018, the employer failed to ensure that employees who are authorized to operate the Yale Forklift (S/N E187V20763A) have received formal instruction, such as; lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, or written material as part of their forklift operation training.

Issued

Aug 29, 2018

Abate by

Oct 17, 2018

Penalty

Initial $4,989 · Current $3,492 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:  On or about July 25, 2018, the employer failed to develop and implement a written hazard communication program. Hazardous chemicals present in the workplace include, but are not limited to:  floor, tile, carpet and toilet cleaners and LP fuel gases.

Issued

Aug 29, 2018

Abate by

Oct 17, 2018

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 July 25, 2018, the employer failed to provide effective information and training to employees about the hazardous chemicals they work with at initial assignment. Hazardous chemicals present include, but are not limited to:  floor, tile, carpet, and toilet cleaners and LP fuel gases.