OSHA Inspection: MT. EATON PALLET, LTD

Issued

Apr 30, 2019

Abate by

Jul 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $4,641 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): The procedures shall clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, the following:   a. On or about February 27, 2019, the employers developed lockout/tagout procedures for equipment serviced on Front Rip Saw line did not clearly and specifically outline the scope and purpose of each procedure, clearly identify each energy isolation point, or include steps to test the equipment to verify the energy control methods were effective.      b. On or about February 27, 2019, the employers developed lockout/tagout procedures for the equipment serviced on the Back Rip Saw line did not clearly and specifically outline the scope and purpose of each procedure, clearly identify each energy isolation point, or include steps to test the equipment to verify the energy control methods were effective.

Issued

Apr 30, 2019

Abate by

Jul 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer shall conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements of this standard are being followed.   a. On or about February 27, 2019, the employer did not ensure that the developed lockout/tagout procedures for equipment serviced on Front Rip Saw line were effectively inspected to ensure that the energy control requirements of 1910.147 were being followed. The procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope and purpose of each procedure, clearly identify each energy isolation point, or include steps to test the equipment to verify the energy control methods were effective.     b. On or about February 27, 2019, the employer did not ensure that the developed lockout/tagout procedures for equipment serviced on Back Rip Saw line were effectively inspected to ensure that the energy control requirements of 1910.147 were being followed. The procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope and purpose of each procedure, clearly identify each energy isolation point, or include steps to test the equipment to verify the energy control methods were effective.

Issued

Apr 30, 2019

Abate by

Jul 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $4,641 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Each authorized employee shall receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.   a. On or about February 27, 2019 and at times thereto, employees were performing service and maintenance on woodworking equipment without receiving authorized lockout/tagout training to ensure each employee had the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively isolate and control hazardous energy sources.

Issued

Apr 30, 2019

Abate by

Jul 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $4,641 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(6): Verification of isolation. Prior to starting work on machines or equipment that have been locked out or tagged out, the authorized employee shall verify that isolation and deenergization of the machine or equipment have been accomplished.   a. On or about February 27, 2019, an employee performed a changeover on the Back Cut Off saw in order to change the lengths for the saw to cut the boards being processed. The employer did not ensure that the employee performed verification steps to ensure that the electrical and pneumatic energy sources were isolated, thereby exposing the employee to unexpected movement of the saws.

Issued

Apr 30, 2019

Abate by

Jun 3, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $4,641 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be 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. Examples of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices,electronic safety devices, etc.   a. On or about February 27, 2019 and at times thereto, employees were exposed to an ingoing nip point at the end roller of the belt conveyor in the Out Shop Building, thereby exposing employees to a caught in hazard.     b. On or about February 27, 2019 and at times thereto, employees were exposed to an unguarded belt on the underside of the belt conveyor at the Front Rip Saw line, thereby exposing employees to a caught in/against hazard     c. On or about February 27, 2019 and at times thereto, employees were exposed to an unguarded conveyor chain while operating the Pendu 4400 BS Saw System stacker machine, thereby exposing employees to a caught in hazard.

Issued

Apr 30, 2019

Penalty

Initial $6,630 · Current $3,315 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(a)(12): For all circular saws where conditions are such that there is a possibility of contact with the portion of the saw either beneath or behind the table, that portion of the saw shall be covered with an exhaust hood, or, if no exhaust system is required, with a guard that shall be so arranged as to prevent accidental contact with the saw.   a. On or about February 20, 2019, the retracting blade guard of the OMGA 1P350F cut off saw in the Crate Shop building did not fully enclose the blade when the saw was returned to the raised position, exposing the operator to an approximately three inch section of the running saw blade.      b. On or about February 27, 2019, the retracting blade guard of the OMGA 1P350F cut off saw in the Crate Shop building did not fully enclose the blade when the saw was returned to the raised position, exposing the operator to an approximately one to two inch section of the running saw blade.

Issued

Apr 30, 2019

Abate by

Jul 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $4,641 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(r)(4): The mention of specific machines in paragraphs (a) thru (q) and this paragraph (r) of this section, inclusive, is not intended to exclude other woodworking machines from the requirement that suitable guards and exhaust hoods be provided to reduce to a minimum the hazard due to the point of operation of such machines.   a.     On or about February 27, 2019 and at times thereto, the employer did not ensure that the upcut saw in the Out Shop building was properly guarded to prevent employees from being caught in the point of operation of the saw while cutting stringers.    b.     On or about March 12, 2019 and at times thereto, the employer did not ensure that the upcut saw in the Front Saw area was properly guarded to prevent employees from being caught in the point of operation of the saw while cutting stingers and 2x4s.    c.     On or about March 12, 2019 and at times thereto, the employer did not ensure that the Whirlwind upcut saw in the Second Chop Saw area was properly guarded to prevent employees from being caught in the point of operation of the saw while cutting deck boards.    d.     On or about February 27, 2019 and at times thereto, the employer did not ensure that the single head notcher machine was properly guarded to prevent employees from being caught in the rotating cutter head while loading and unloading stinger boards.     e.     On or about February 27, 2019 and at times thereto, the employer did not ensure that the point of operation of the hydraulic press was guarded to prevent employees from being caught in between the stringer boards and the press while pressing nail plates.     f.      On or about February 27, 2019 and at times thereto, the employer did not ensure that employees operating and working at the Viking automated pallet nailer #574C were protected from being caught in the point of operation and/or pinch points as the carriage cycled across each pallet.     g.     On or about March 12, 2019 and at times thereto, the employer did not ensure that employees operating and working at the Viking automated pallet nailer #10 were protected from being caught in the point of operation and/or pinch points as the carriage cycled across each pallet.    h.     On or about March 12, 2019 and at times thereto, the employer did not ensure that employees operating and working at the Viking automated pallet nailer #792 were protected from being caught in the point of operation and/or pinch points as the carriage cycled across each pallet.     i.      On or about March 12, 2019 and at times thereto, the employer did not ensure that employees operating and working at the Viking automated pallet nailer #12 were protected from being caught in the point of operation and/or pinch points as the carriage cycled across each pallet.     j.      On or about March 12, 2019 and at times thereto, the employer did not ensure that employees operating and working at the Viking automated pallet nailer #759 were protected from being caught in the point of operation and/or pinch points as the carriage cycled across each pallet.     k.     On or about March 12, 2019 and at times thereto, the employer did not ensure that employees operating and working at the Viking automated pallet nailer #14 were protected from being caught in the point of operation and/or pinch points as the carriage cycled across each pallet.

Issued

Apr 30, 2019

Abate by

Jun 3, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $4,641 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(2)(i): All exposed parts of horizontal shafting seven (7) feet or less from floor or working platform, excepting runways used exclusively for oiling, or running adjustments, shall be protected by a stationary casing enclosing shafting completely or by a trough enclosing sides and top or sides and bottom of shafting as location requires.   a. On or about February 27, 2019 and at times thereto, employees were exposed to a rotating shaft while operating the Pendu 4400 BS Saw System stacker machine, thereby exposing employees to a caught in hazard.

Issued

Apr 30, 2019

Abate by

Jun 3, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprockets and chains. All sprocket wheels and chains shall be enclosed unless they are more than seven (7) feet above the floor or platform. Where the drive extends over other machine or working areas, protection against falling shall be provided. This subparagraph does not apply to manually operated sprockets.   a. On or about February 27, 2019 and at times thereto, employees were exposed to rotating sprockets while operating the Pendu 4400 BS Saw System stacker machine, thereby exposing employees to a caught in hazard.

Issued

Apr 30, 2019

Abate by

Jun 3, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,956 · Current $3,978 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning. Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning purposes except where reduced to less than 30 p.s.i. and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment.   a. On or about February 27, 2019, employees were using compressed air to clean off equipment and the work area near the Band Saw line which had a pressure of approximately 92.8 p.s.i., thereby exposing employees to a struck by hazard.

Issued

Apr 30, 2019

Abate by

Jun 3, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,978 · Current $1,989 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(ii): Flexible cords may be used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap. Hard-service cord and junior hard-service cord No. 14 and larger may be repaired if spliced so that the splice retains the insulation, outer sheath properties, and usage characteristics of the cord being spliced.   a. On or about March 12, 2019, the employer had connected multiple extension cords together to supply 120 volts to approximately four portable heaters at the Back Saw line, thereby exposing employees to a fire hazard.