OSHA Inspection: NOURISON INDUSTRIES INC.

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Abate by

Jul 6, 2021

Penalty

Initial $11,703 · Current $7,022 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees from struck-by and/or crush-by hazards:  Warehouse  - Racks near PD 1501 and PD 1001:  On or about 12/11/2020, the commercial steel racking units located in the warehouse area of the facility had bent and/or damaged stanchions and horizontal struts.  Product such as, but not limited to; cartons and boxes of carpet pads, carpets remnant and rugs were stored haphazardly and/or  beyond that capacity of the rack(s), thus creating a struck-by or crush-by hazard for employees who worked near or in close proximity to the racking units.

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Abate by

Jun 21, 2021

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $8,182 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees from entrapment or struck-by  hazards:    a) Warehouse Area:  On or about 12/11/2020, seatbelts were not utilized by employees when operating equipment such as, but not limited to, a Crown electric sit-down fork truck (Model # FC 4000 S/N # unknown). Operators and other employees working in the Shipping and Receiving department were potentially exposed to stuck-by and/or crushing hazards from tip-overs and/or ejection.

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Abate by

Jul 6, 2021

Penalty

Initial $11,703 · Current $7,022 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.22(a)(3): The employer did not ensure that walking-working surfaces are maintained free of hazards such as sharp or protruding objects, loose boards, corrosion, leaks, spills, snow, and ice.  a) Warehouse Areas - near Aisle AM: On or about 12/11/2020, the employer exposed employees to struck-by hazards capable of causing injury and impairment from hazards such as, but not limited to, rugs and carpets on the floor and sticking out from the racks.

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Abate by

Jun 21, 2021

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $13,653

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.101(b):The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, rail tankcars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks were not in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in CFR 1910.6:   a) Warehouse- Backside of Fabrications, near the Outbound Staging and Shipping Area- On or about 12/11/2020, the employer exposed employees to struck-by hazards in that the employer failed to ensure that compressed gases, such as but not limited to, Bird Song Adhesive BSA 262 SSC, were properly stored.  Employees who worked in the proximity to two (2) unchained 280 lbs. capacity cylinders of a Category 1, flammable adhesive (Bird Song Adhesive BSA 262 SSC) were not protected should the cylinders rupture, be hit by a powered industrial truck, or fall and become a projectile.  b) Inventory Control in Returns Area - On or about 12/11/2020, the employer exposed employees to struck-by hazards in that the employer failed to ensure that compressed gases, such as but not limited to, Bird Song Adhesive BSA 262 SSC, were properly stored.  Employees who worked in the proximity to an unchained 280 lbs. capacity cylinder of a Category 1, flammable adhesive (Bird Song Adhesive BSA 262 SSC), were not protected should the cylinder rupture, be hit by a powered industrial truck, or fall and become a projectile.

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Abate by

Jul 27, 2021

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(d)(5)(i):"Egress." Flammable liquids, including stock for sale, shall not be stored so as to limit use of exits, stairways, or areas normally used for the safe egress of people.  a)  Warehouse- near Fabrications Area- On or about 12/11/2020, the employer exposed employees to fire hazards in that the employer stored a flammable liquid, such as but not limited to, Bird Song Adhesive BSA 262 SSC, in a doorway.  Employees who worked in the close proximity to two (2) unchained 280 lbs. cylinders of a Category 1, flammable adhesive (Bird Song Adhesive BSA 262 SSC) had limited means of escape in case of fire.  b)  Inventory Control in Returns Area - On or about 12/11/2020, the employer exposed employees to fire hazards in that the employer used a full container of a Category 1, flammable liquid, such as but not limited to, Bird Song Adhesive BSA 262 SSC, in an aisle.  Employees who worked in the close proximity to an unchained 280 lbs. cylinder containing a Category 1, flammable adhesive (Bird Song Adhesive BSA 262 SSC) had limited means of escape in case of fire.

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Abate by

Sep 10, 2021

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $8,182 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(e)(6)(i):Adequate precautions were not taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors:  a)  Inventory Control in Returns Area - On or about 12/11/2020, the employer exposed employees to fire hazards in that the employer used a cylinder of a Category 1 flammable adhesive such as, but not limited to, Bird Song Adhesive BSA 262 SSC, without bonding or grounding the cylinder. There were no precautions taken to dissipate vapors or to prevent the build-up of static electricity.

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Abate by

Jun 21, 2021

Penalty

Initial $7,802 · Current $4,681 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.133(a)(1):The employer did not 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) Warehouse Fork Truck Battery Charging  Area - On or about 12/11/2020, the employer failed to ensure that employees who worked with chemicals such as, but not limited to, Sulfuric Acid utilized the proper safety eyewear (chemical goggles or face shield).

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Abate by

Sep 10, 2021

Penalty

Initial $9,753 · Current $13,653

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:  (a) Entire Facility: On or about 12/11/2020, the employer exposed employees to struck-by and caught-in hazards, in that the employer did not develop an adequate energy control program for employees working on equipment such as, but not limited to, dock plates, powered industrial trucks, cut table and inspection table.

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Abate by

Sep 10, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide adequate training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program was understood by employees:   a) Facility-wide : On or about 12/11/2020, the employer exposed employees to struck-by and caught-in hazards in that the employer did not adequately provide either authorized or affected employee training before employees performed servicing or maintenance on the dock plate, cut table and inspection table.

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Abate by

Sep 10, 2021

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:   (a) Entire Facility: On or about 12/11/2020, the employer exposed employees to struck-by and caught-in hazards, in that the employer did not develop adequate specific LOTO procedures for employees working on equipment such as, but not limited to, dock plates, powered industrial trucks, the cut table, and the inspection table.

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Abate by

Jun 21, 2021

Penalty

Initial $11,703 · Current $11,703

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.176(a): Aisle(s) and passageway(s) were not kept clear and in good repair with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard.  a) Warehouse Areas - Near Aisle SB, Aisle SA-SO, Aisle RB-RA, Aisle QB-QA: On or about 12/11/2020, the employer exposed employees to fire hazards in that the employer blocked several aisles.  One aisle contained a pallet jack loaded with a wooden pallet and a cylinder of a flammable adhesive (Bird Song Adhesive BSA 262 SSC) on it. The blocked aisles also contained other wooden pallets, trash, cardboard boxes, and bins and boxes containing rugs and carpets.

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Abate by

Jul 6, 2021

Penalty

Initial $11,703 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.176(b): Material stored in tiers was not stacked, blocked, interlocked or limited in height so that it was stable and secure against sliding and collapse:  (a) Warehouse Areas - near Aisle AM: On or about 12/11/2020, the employer exposed employees to stuck-by hazards in that, individual rugs and/or carpets stored improperly on metal storage racks could be pushed from the storage racks and fall off the shelves and hit the employees below when near-by rugs and/or carpets were pulled from the stack.

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Abate by

Jun 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $11,703 · Current $7,022 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(l)(1)(i):The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l):   a) Warehouse Area - On or about 12/11/2020, the employer exposed employees throughout the facility to struck-by hazards in that uncertified employees were allowed to operate the company's powered industrial trucks including, but not limited to, eight (8) electric sit-down fork trucks, including Crown Model #: FC 4000 S/N: Unknown; four (4) sit-down fork trucks with poles including, Clark Model #: ECX 32, S/N: ECX360-0604-9653; an unknown number of electric pallet jacks including Crown Model #: PE3540-80, S/N: 6A153900; thirty-five (35) electric stock pickers including Crown Model #: SP3520-30, S/N 1A379919; two (2) reach trucks.

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $4,973 · Current $2,984 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.304(f)(1)(iv):Overcurrent devices for circuits rated 600 volts, nominal, or less, were not readily accessible to each employee or authorized building management personnel:   a) Under the Stairs near Battery Charging Area- On or about 12/11/2020, employees were exposed to potential shock and/or fire hazards, in that a garbage can, barrel, and stacks of chairs were placed approximately 7" or less in front of three (3) 277 volts electrical shut-off (On/Off) switches. This blocked access to the electrical shut-offs used to power lights, 6-8 charging stations, and computer items (router switches, cameras, etc.).

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Abate by

Sep 10, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,851 · Current $3,511 Reduced

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:  a) Warehouse Areas, Battery Charging, and Returns Areas: On or about 12/11/2020, employees were not trained on the hazardous chemicals utilized in the workplace. Chemicals used at the site include, but is not limited to, Bird Song Adhesive BSA 262 SSC and sulfuric acid used in fork truck batteries.

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Abate by

Sep 10, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(3)(iv):  The details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, did not include an explanation of the labels received on shipped containers and the workplace labeling system used by their employer; the safety data sheet, including the order of information and how employee could obtain and use the appropriate hazard information:  a) Warehouse Areas, Battery Charging, and Returns Areas:  On or about 12/11/2020, employer failed to provide training or information to employees working with hazardous chemicals on the details of outline in the new Hazard Communication standard which encompasses the Global Harmonization System (GHS).

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Abate by

Sep 10, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify, through a written certification, the identity of the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation had been performed, and the date the hazard assessment was done:   a) Entire Facility: On or about 12/11/2020, the employer exposed employees to fire and struck-by hazards associated with the warehouse operations dealing with distribution and repair of rugs, carpets, and other home goods in that the employer did not certify that a workplace hazard assessment had been completed.

Issued

Jun 9, 2021

Abate by

Sep 10, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

1910.134(k)(6): The employer did not provide the basic advisory information on respirators, as presented in Appendix D of 29 CFR 1910.134, in written or oral format to employees who wear respirators when such use was not required by the employer:   a) Nourison Industries, Inc.: On or about 12/11/2020, , the employer failed to provide a copy of, and to educate employees on the information contained in Appendix D for those employees who were provided KN95 respirators on a voluntary basis to minimize exposure to COVID-19.