OSHA Inspection: GERLING AND ASSOCIATES, INC.

Issued

Feb 3, 2020

Abate by

Feb 13, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,398 · Current $5,398

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.  a. On or before December 26, 2019, where employees operated portable grinders in the welding shop, the employer did not enforce the use of appropriate eye and face protection, thereby exposing employees to struck-by hazards.

Issued

Feb 3, 2020

Abate by

Feb 21, 2020

Penalty

Initial $6,747 · Current $6,747

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(ii): Training shall consist 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.   a. On or before December 26, 2019, where employees operated powered industrial vehicles, formal instruction was not provided to the powered industrial vehicles operators, thereby exposing employees to struck-by or other hazards.

Issued

Feb 3, 2020

Abate by

Feb 13, 2020

Penalty

Initial $6,747 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7): Industrial trucks shall be examined before being placed in service, and shall not be placed in service if the examination shows any condition adversely affecting the safety of the vehicle. Such examination shall be made at least daily. Where industrial trucks are used on a round-the-clock basis, they shall be examined after each shift. Defects when found shall be immediately reported and corrected.  a. On or before December 26, 2019, where employees operated powered industrial vehicles in the welding shop, the powered industrial vehicles were not examined daily prior to being operated, thereby exposing employees to struck-by or other hazards.

Issued

Feb 3, 2020

Abate by

Feb 21, 2020

Penalty

Initial $6,747 · Current $6,747

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Installation and use. Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling.  a. On or before December 26, 2019, employees used an extension cord with a receptacle box with knock outs, which was used to provide electrical power to a welder, therefore the receptacle box was not being used as listed and labeled, exposing employees to an electrical hazard.  b. On or before December 26, 2019, employees used receptacle boxes with knock outs, which were hung as a pendant, therefore the receptacle box was not being used as listed and labeled, exposing employees to an electrical hazard.   c. On or before December 26, 2019, the employer was using a relocatable power tap in the welding shop, contrary to listing and labeling, thereby exposing employees to an electrical hazard.

Issued

Feb 3, 2020

Abate by

Feb 13, 2020

Penalty

Initial $6,747 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(i): Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings shall be effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment.  a. On or before December 26, 2019, where employees used an electrical receptacle on the southeast side of the welding shop, there was an unused opening in the receptacle box, thereby exposing employees to an electrical contact hazard.  b. On or before December 26, 2019, where employees used an electrical receptacle on the southwest side of the welding shop, there was an unused opening in the receptacle box, thereby exposing employees to an electrical contact hazard.  c. On or before December 26, 2019, where employees used an electrical receptacle on the northwest side of the welding shop, there was an unused opening in the adjacent circuit breaker box, thereby exposing employees to an electrical contact hazard.

Issued

Feb 3, 2020

Abate by

Feb 13, 2020

Penalty

Initial $6,747 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

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.  a. On or before December 26, 2019, where employees used a welder in the northeast side of the welding shop, the outer jacket of the cord was pulled away from the strain relief of the plug exposing interior conductors, thereby exposing employees to an electrical contact hazard.  b. On or before December 26, 2019, where employees used a fan in the southeast side of the welding shop, the outer jacket of the cord was pulled away from the strain relief of the plug exposing interior conductors, thereby exposing employees to an electrical contact hazard.  c. On or before December 26, 2019, where employees used a light in the southeast side of the welding shop, the outer jacket of the cord was pulled away from the strain relief of the plug exposing interior conductors, thereby exposing employees to an electrical contact hazard.  d. On or before December 26, 2019, where employees used an extension cord in the south side of the welding shop, the outer jacket of the cord was pulled away from the strain relief of the plug exposing interior conductors, thereby exposing employees to an electrical contact hazard.

Issued

Feb 3, 2020

Abate by

Feb 13, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

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 before December 26, 2019, the employer failed to certify a hazard assessment with the name and the signature of the person certifying that the evaluation had been performed and the date(s) of the hazard assessment.

Issued

Feb 3, 2020

Abate by

Feb 21, 2020

Penalty

Initial $757 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

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.  a. On or before December 26, 2019, the employer failed to certify the training and evaluation of each powered industrial vehicle operator.