OSHA Inspection: HUCK'S PALLETS LLC

Issued

2019-02-06 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-03-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2728.00 · Current $1910.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b): Protection from fall hazards-   29 CFR 1910.28(b)(6): Dangerous equipment. The employer must ensure:   29 CFR 1910.28(b)(6)(i): Each employee less than 4 feet (1.2 m) above dangerous equipment is protected from falling into or onto the dangerous equipment by a guardrail system or a travel restraint system, unless the equipment is covered or guarded to eliminate the hazard.  On or about November 16, 2018, the employer did not provide fall protection for the walking/working surface open side adjacent to and above the exhaust ventilation fan motor and rotating shaft. Due to the lack of protection, employees in the saw shop had exposure to fall into this dangerous equipment.

Issued

2019-02-06 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-03-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3410.00 · Current $2387.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer shall administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. For purposes of the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with appendix A and Table G-16a, and without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment.  a. On or about November 16, 2018, the employer failed to implement and administer a hearing conservation program for an employee performing pallet dismantling duties. The employee performing these duties was exposed to noise at a measured dose of 116.6 % during the 454 minute sampling period for noise dosimetry performed on November 16, 2018. This exposure resulted in an 8 hour time weighted average of 91.1 decibels as measured on the A scale (dBA) exceeding the 85 dBA requirements of this part. Zero exposure was assumed for the 26 minutes not sampled. The employee had not received  baseline audiometric testing and had not participated in a training program as required by this part. Effects of exposure to elevated noise levels included hearing damage and increased risk for permanent hearing loss.  b. On or about November 16, 2018, the employer failed to implement and administer a hearing conservation program for an employee performing belt fed table saw operation duties. The employee performing these duties was exposed to noise at a measured dose of 85.21 % during the 453 minute sampling period for noise dosimetry performed on November 16, 2018. This exposure resulted in an 8 hour time weighted average of 88.8 decibels as measured on the A scale (dBA) exceeding the 85 dBA requirements of this part. Zero exposure was assumed for the 27 minutes not sampled. The employee had not received baseline audiometric testing and had not participated in a training program as required by this part. Effects of exposure to elevated noise levels included hearing damage and increased risk for permanent hearing loss.   c. On or about November 16, 2018, the employer failed to implement and administer a hearing conservation program for an employee performing swing saw operation duties. The employee performing these duties was exposed to noise at a measured dose of 120.6 % during the 438 minute sampling period for noise dosimetry performed on November 16, 2018. This exposure resulted in an 8 hour time weighted average of 91.4 decibels as measured on the A scale (dBA) exceeding the 85 dBA requirements of this part. Zero exposure was assumed for the 42 minutes not sampled. The employee had not received baseline audiometric testing, annual audiometric testing and had not participated in a training program as required by this part. Effects of exposure to elevated noise levels included hearing damage and increased risk for permanent hearing loss.

Issued

2019-02-06 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-03-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3410.00 · Current $2387.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g): Flexible cords and cables --  29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2): Identification, splices, and terminations.  29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables shall be connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief is provided that will prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws.  On or about November 16, 2018, the electrical power supply cable for a motor associated with the pallet disassembler machine was damaged in that the strain relief protection was broken and pulled apart. Due to this condition, employees operating this equipment were exposed to a potential electrical contact hazard and increased risk for electrocution.

Issued

2019-02-06 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-03-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d):  Hazard assessment and equipment selection.  29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer shall 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. On or about October 25, 2018, at the workplace, the employer had not verified the performance of the required workplace hazard assessment related to personal protective equipment through written certification. Personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses, was required for hazards associated with pallet repair and powered saw operations from flying debris.

Issued

2019-02-06 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-03-26 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l): Operator training.  29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6): Certification. The employer shall certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by this paragraph (l). The certification shall include the name of the operator, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation.  On or about October 25, 2018, the employer had not certified forklift operator training and evaluation for employees, such as but not limited to, the foreman who operated forklifts on a daily basis.

Issued

2019-02-06 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-03-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employers shall develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met, and which also includes the following:  a. On or about October 25, 2018, at the workplace, the employer had not developed and maintained a written hazard communication program for hazardous chemical use in the workplace. Chemicals used included spray paint and motor oil.