OSHA Inspection: PALLETS AND MORE LLC

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $5,461

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.22(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that all places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces are kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.  a) Interior:  On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to combustible and explosive hazards, in that the production area where wood was cut and pallets were assembled had explosive dust in areas such as but not limited to the back wall behind the band saw, equipment surfaces such as the notcher and the tops of junction boxes.

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.22(a)(2): The employer did not ensure that the  floor of each workroom is maintained in a clean and, to the extent feasible, in a dry condition. The employer did not ensure that when wet processes are used, drainage is be maintained and, to the extent feasible, dry standing places, such as false floors, platforms, and mats are provided.   a)	Interior:  On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to combustible and explosive hazards, in that explosive dust was on the floor where production employees were assembling pallets.

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $3,121 · Current $3,121

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(c): The employer did not provide, and ensure each employee uses, a safe means of access and egress to and from walking-working surfaces.  a)	Storage warehouse, Interior:  On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to trip hazards, in that the restroom at the back of the storage warehouse has an 8-inch riser to gain access into the room. The room is located in a dark area where it is difficult for the employees to see the raised access.

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $5,461

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)	Interior production building:  On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to caught-in, crushed-by and amputation hazards, in that the employer did not have a lock out tag out program in place when conducting service and maintenance on equipment such as but not limited to a Pallet Notcher Machine, Resaw model CLB SESR# CLB-117-2-97, Rigid table saw, Band Saw, and Pallet making machine.

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $4,681 · Current $4,681

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(p)(1):Powered industrial truck(s) found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe had not been  taken out of service until restored to safe operating condition(s)  a) Warehouse interior: On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees who move materials throughout the warehouse to struck-by hazards, in that the Doosan Model G25N-7 Ser# FGA14-1290-03330 propane forklift had the inoperable side shift cylinder broken off  the anchor point. The operators are moving materials in to the production area to the assemblers and taking assembled products to the storage warehouse for loading and shipment.

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $5,461

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(3)(ii): The  point of operation of machines whose operation exposed an employee to injury, was not guarded:    a) Maintenance shop: On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to caught in hazards, in that there were no guards in place on the DeWalt Dw17 12 inch compound miter saw, Ser# 531529. Employees were using the miter saw to cut materials in the machine shop.  b) Maintenance shop: On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to caught in hazards, in that there were no guards in place on the Black and Decker drill press. Employees were using the drill press to drill holes in various types of materials in the machine shop.  c) Maintenance shop: On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to caught in hazards, in that there were no guards in place on the Cut off machine TC14. Employees were using the cut off machine to cut metal piping and other  materials in the machine shop.

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $5,461

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.213(b)(1): Woodworking machine(s) were not provided with mechanical or electrical power controls so located that the operator could cut off the power from the machine without leaving his position at the point of operation.    a) Right Rear Interior:  On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees engaged in wood cutting operations to amputation and caught in hazards, in that the Resaw model CLB Ser# CLB-117-2-97 does not have a functioning local control panel at the machine. The operators have to go to the breaker panel in the back of the room on the wall to start and stop the machine.

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $5,461

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(2)(i): Except as elsewhere required or permitted by Subpart S of Part 1910, live parts of electric equipment operating  at 50 volts or more were not guarded against accidental contact by use of approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures or by any of the means identified in paragraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i):     a) Pallet Manufacturing Warehouse: On or about 2/18/2021, the employer exposed employees to electrical hazards, in that electrical wiring for the pallet notcher and re-saw machines were not guarded against accidental contact by an approved cabinet. Operators were exposed to live parts.

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $3,901 · Current $3,901

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(2)(ii): Flexible cords were not used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap    a)	Maintenance Shop:  On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical shock and fire hazards, in that the employer had spliced an extension cord into the power cord of the Dewalt DW17 12 Inch miter saw, SER# 531529 to increase its length. The miter saw is used to cut wood to length for the construction of pallets.

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $3,901 · Current $3,901

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.39(a)(2):The employer did not report within 24-hours a work-related incident resulting in in-patient hospitalization, amputation or the loss of an eye.   (a) Pallet manufacturer:  On or about 2/18/2021 the employer did not report an amputation that occurred on February 17, 2021 at approximately 10:27 a.m. The Atlanta West office received a complaint from a family member reporting the amputation on February 18, 2021 at approximately 8:53 AM. CSHO arrived at the location on 2/18/2021 at 3:00PM.

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $438 · Current $438

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.38(b): An emergency action plan was not in writing, kept in the workplace, and available to employees for review:   a)	Pallet Manufacturer, Interior production building:  On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to fire hazards, in that the employer did not develop a written emergency action plan for the facility. Employees are conducting pallet manufacturing operations.

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $438 · Current $438

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.141(a)(3)(i): Places of employment were not kept clean to the extent that the nature of the work allowed:  a)	Pallet manufacturer, Interior of production building:  On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to struck by hazards, in that the employer failed to remove the excess wood and personal waste from throughout the facility in a timely manner. Waste was piled up to six feet or greater in some locations.

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $438 · Current $438

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(c)(1): Portable fire extinguishers were not mounted, located and identified so that they were readily accessible without subjecting the employees to injuries.  a) Pallet Manufacturer: Interior of storage and production buildings: On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to burn hazards, in that fire extinguishers in the facility are still in the boxes on a pallet by the main office and not readily accessible. Employees work in the production area assembling pallets and in the storage warehouse marking pallets for shipment.

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(e)(1): The employer was not responsible for the inspection, maintenance and testing of all portable fire extinguishers in the workplace  a) Pallet Manufacturer: Storage Warehouse and Production area: On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to fire hazards, in that, monthly fire extinguisher inspections were not conducted to ensure that all fire extinguishers were working properly throughout the facility.

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $438 · Current $438

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(g)(1): An educational program was not provided for all employees to familiarize them with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting   (a) Pallet assembly production area: On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to fire hazards in that the employees did not receive training on the use and limitations of on site fire extinguishers. Employees are working in  a location that has been determined to contain combustible/explosive dust.

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $438 · Current $438

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(l)(1)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each operator had successfully completed the training required by paragraph (l), except as permitted by paragraph (l)(5), prior to permitting an employee to operate a powered industrial truck   a)  Pallet manufacturer : Exterior and interior of the building,  On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to struck-by hazards in that forklift operators are operating forklifts in pedestrian traffic areas without training. Forklifts are used to transport pallet material between loading areas and the main building.

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $438 · Current $438

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(q)(7): Industrial trucks were not examined before being placed in service    a)	Pallet manufacturer: On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to struck-by hazards, in that  forklifts  being used to move materials and pallets throughout the warehouse and production areas are not being inspected daily for defects prior to being placed in service. Forklift operators work in close proximity to pedestrians moving materials to supply the assemblers

Issued

Aug 12, 2021

Abate by

Sep 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $438 · Current $438

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(1): Sufficient access and working space was not provided and maintained about all electric equipment (operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground) to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment:  (a) Production area: On or about 2/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical hazards in that employees do not have unimpeded access around power panels. The panels were used to turn on the lights and to control power to various types of wood cutting equipment in the facility. The employees are engaged in pallet assembly activities.