OSHA Inspection: GAETA RECYCLING CO., INC.

Issued

Sep 21, 2018

Abate by

Oct 11, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,805 · Current $4,268 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(i): When the employer had assessed the workplace hazards and determined that hazards were present, the employer did not select and have each affected employee use the types of personal protective equipment that would protect them from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment.    a) Refuse Collection Trucks: Employees drive, operate, and load the trucks with curbside refuse in a variety of communities. Employees are exposed to being struck-by vehicles, refuse and debris. Although the employer had instituted work rules requiring the use of high visibility safety vests, safety goggles, durable work gloves and hard soled work shoes the employer did not select and ensure that employees used adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), specifically high visibility safety vests, safety goggles, durable work gloves and hard soled work shoes on or about April 10, 2018 through September 4, 2018.      b) Transfer Station: Employees drive, operate, and work in and around the refuse collection trucks and trailers containing or handling refuse. The employees are exposed to being struck-by refuse collection trucks and material handling machines as well as contact with toxic substances and debris, such as sharp metal, broken glass and splintered wood but the employer did not select and ensure that employees used adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as high visibility safety vests, safety goggles, durable work gloves and puncture resistant safety footwear on or about April 10, 2018 through September 4, 2018.        c) Service Garage: Mechanics and Welders maintain and repair refuse collection trucks and other equipment used in handling refuse. Employees are exposed to struck-by hazards, including sparks and explosion; and contact with electrical current and toxic substances but the employer did not select adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as FR clothing on or about April 10, 2018 through September 4, 2018.

Issued

Sep 21, 2018

Abate by

Oct 11, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed, the date(s) of the hazard assessment, and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment:  a) Refuse Collection Trucks: Employees drive, operate, and load the trucks with curbside refuse in a variety of communities. Employees are exposed to being struck-by vehicles, refuse and debris. Although the employer had instituted work rules requiring the use of high visibility safety vests, safety goggles, durable work gloves and hard soled work shoes the employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed, the date of the hazard assessment, and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment on or about April 10, 2018 through September 4, 2018.    b) Transfer Station: Employees drive, operate, and work in and around the refuse collection trucks and trailers containing or handling refuse. The employees are exposed to being struck-by refuse collection trucks and material handling machines as well as contact with toxic substances and debris, such as sharp metal, broken glass and splintered wood but the employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed, the date of the hazard assessment, and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment on or about April 10, 2018 through September 4, 2018.      c) Service Garage: Mechanics and Welders maintain and repair refuse collection trucks and other equipment used in handling refuse. Employees are exposed to struck-by hazards, including sparks and explosion; and contact with electrical current and toxic substances but the employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed, the date of the hazard assessment, and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment on or about April 10, 2018 through September 4, 2018.

Issued

Sep 21, 2018

Abate by

Oct 11, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.136(a) The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, or when the use of protective footwear will protect the affected employee from an electrical hazard, such as a static-discharge or electric-shock hazard, that remains after the employer takes other necessary protective measures.  a) Refuse Collection Trucks: Employees drive, operate, and load the trucks with curbside refuse in a variety of communities. The employer had instituted work rules requiring the use of hard soled work shoes but did not ensure that all lifters used adequate protective footwear, from on or about April 10, 2018 through September 4, 2018.

Issued

Sep 21, 2018

Abate by

Oct 11, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,805 · Current $4,268 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(h)(1): Except as provided by paragraphs (h)(2) through (h)(6) of this section, the protective equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), used to comply with this part, was not provided by the employer at no cost to employees.    a) Refuse Collection Trucks: Employees drive, operate, and load the trucks with curbside refuse in a variety of communities. The employer had assessed the worksite hazards and instituted work rules requiring the use of work gloves and high visibility work vests. The lifters' hands are exposed to hazards such as, but not limited to skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; and chemical burns. Lifters are exposed to being struck-by vehicles, refuse and debris. The employer did not provide safety glasses, durable work gloves nor did they provide high visibility work vests to lifters, from on or about April 10, 2018 through September 4, 2018.

Issued

Sep 21, 2018

Abate by

Oct 25, 2018

Penalty

Initial $9,147 · Current $4,268 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1): The employer did not provide training to each employee who is required by this section to use personal protective equipment:    a) Service Garage: Mechanics and Welders maintain and repair refuse collection trucks and other equipment used in handling refuse. Employees are exposed to struck-by hazards, including sparks and explosion; and contact with electrical current and toxic substances but the employer did not provide training to each employee who is required by this section to use personal protective equipment or about April 10, 2018 through September 4, 2018.

Issued

Sep 21, 2018

Abate by

Oct 25, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(2): The employer shall 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.  a) Service Garage: Mechanics and Welders maintain and repair refuse collection trucks and other equipment used in handling refuse. Employees are exposed to struck-by hazards, including sparks and explosion; and contact with electrical current and toxic substances but the employer did not require use of  eye protection that provided side protection whenever welders were in the welding area or about April 10, 2018 through September 4, 2018.    b) Refuse Collection Trucks: Lifters operate, and load the trucks with curbside refuse in a variety of communities. Employees are exposed to being struck-by refuse and debris during loading and operation of the compactor. Although the employer had instituted work rules requiring the use of safety goggles did not ensure that lifters wore eye protection or about April 10, 2018 through September 4, 2018.

Issued

Sep 21, 2018

Abate by

Oct 25, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(b)(2)(ii)(G): Lenses shall bear some permanent distinctive marking by which the source and shade may be readily identified.  a) Service Garage: Welders maintain and repair refuse collection trucks and other equipment used in handling refuse. Employees are exposed to struck-by hazards, including arc rays, sparks and explosion; and contact with electrical current and toxic substances but the employer did not ensure Personal Protective Equipment bore permanent distinctive marking of the source and shade or about July 12, 2018.

Issued

Sep 21, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,805 · Current $11,220 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(2)(iv): Valve protection caps, where cylinders were designed to accept caps, were not always in place, hand-tight, except when cylinders were in use or connected for use:    a) Transfer Station and Service Garage Area: Welders and mechanics maintain and repair refuse collection trucks and other equipment used in handling refuse. Protection caps were not in place when the oxygen and acetylene cylinders were transported in the back of truck number 119, on or about August 10, 2018.

Issued

Sep 21, 2018

Abate by

Oct 11, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(i): An employer may provide respirators at the request of employees or permit employees to use their own respirators, if the employer determines that such respirator use will not in itself create a hazard. If the employer determines that any voluntary respirator use is permissible, the employer shall provide the respirator users with the information contained in Appendix D to this section ("Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard"); and  a) Transfer Station: Employees drive, operate, and work in and around the refuse collection trucks and trailers containing or handling refuse. The employees were permitted the use of a filtering face piece type respirator but were not provided a copy of Appendix D of this section, or about July 12, 2018 through September 4, 2018.