OSHA Inspection: WESTERN BEE SUPPLIES, INC.

Issued

Jul 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $3,829 · Current $1,915 Reduced

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)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., Pellet Mill:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to fire  hazards while working in the pellet mill room that contained fine particle combustible sawdust accumulations on areas such as, but not limited to: trusses, floors, and homemade wooden platforms.

Issued

Jul 19, 2021

Abate by

Aug 12, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,106 · Current $2,553 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.29(b)(13)(i): The guardrail system opening used around holes that serve as points of access (such as ladderways),  did not have a self-closing gate that slides or swings away from the hole, and was equipped with a top rail and midrail or equivalent intermediate member that met the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section:   a)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., Pellet Mill:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to fall hazards of 9 feet 4 inches to the concrete floor below while conducting maintenance on the pellet mill conveyor system from the elevated homemade wooden platform ladder access point.

Issued

Jul 19, 2021

Abate by

Aug 12, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,106 · Current $2,553 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(a)(5):The powered industrial truck was equipped with front-end attachments other than factory installed attachments, however the employer did not request that the truck be marked to identify the attachments and show the approximate weight of the truck and attachment combination at maximum elevation with load laterally centered:  a)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., Indoor Forklift Man Basket:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to struck by hazards while utilizing the unapproved forklift man basket attachment  to perform activities including, but not limited to: blow down operations, and general maintenance procedures.

Issued

Jul 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,106 · Current $2,553 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(1):One or more methods of machine guarding was not 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:  a)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., End Bar Machine:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to caught in hazards while clearing broken sticks and replacing drill bits at the drill head area of the machine.

Issued

Jul 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(3)(ii):Point(s) of operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s):  a)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., End Bar Machine:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to pinch point hazards while loading  wood sticks into the upright feed column of the end bar machine.  The pinch point is made between the wood and ram when the ram cycles.

Issued

Jul 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $3,829 · Current $1,915 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.242(b):Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.:  a)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., Swing Saw #4 Air Nozzle:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior, employees were exposed to flying parts, and pieces while using an air nozzle that was not regulated at 30 PSI or less for wood sawdust cleaning purposes.

Issued

Jul 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $3,829 · Current $1,915 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:  a)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., Bryant Breaker Panel North Wall, Issue Number 7899:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards while turning breakers on and off with unused breaker openings not effectively covered.

Issued

Jul 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(b)(1)(i):Openings through which conductors entered cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:  a)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., Exterior East Wall Knife Throw Switch:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to electrical shock and fire hazards while feeding the hog conveyor belt near the electrical knife throw switch that contained an inadequately sized electrical fitting.  b)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., Shoulder Saw:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to electrical shock and fire hazards while working near the electrical motor powering the shoulder saw conveyor that contained an inadequately sized electrical fitting.

Issued

Jul 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A):Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:  a)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., Above North Wall Breaker Panels:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to fire hazards while using an orange electrical extension cord as a permanent means of wiring to power an overhead fluorescent light.  b)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., Above Grove Chain Machine:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to fire hazards while using a black electrical extension cord as a permanent means of wiring to power an overhead fluorescent light.

Issued

Jul 19, 2021

Abate by

Aug 12, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(2)(iii):Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief was provided that would prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws:  a)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc.:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards while plugging and unplugging the Ovalstrapping Incorporated banding machine serial number: MM2350 which displayed strain directly applied to the terminal screws of the electrical plug.

Issued

Jul 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(j)(2)(iv):A receptacle installed in a wet or damp location was not suitable for the location:  a)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., Exterior East Wall:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards while plugging and unplugging equipment such as, but not limited to: heat lamps into the outside electrical receptacle.  The employer failed to ensure that the electrical receptacle in a wet damp location contained a functioning waterproof cover.

Issued

Jul 19, 2021

Abate by

Aug 12, 2021

Penalty

Initial $15,020 · Current $7,510 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)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc. Hammer Mill:  On or about March 9, 2021 and at times prior, employees were exposed to amputation hazards from the unexpected energization of equipment while unjamming the Hammer Mill auger belt during an upset condition without utilizing the established lock out tag out procedures.  Western Bee Supplies, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.147 (c)(4)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1487994, citation number 2, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on February 9, 2021, with respect to a workplace located at 5 Ninth Avenue East, Polson, MT 59860.

Issued

Jul 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $7,659 · Current $3,830 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(c)(4)(i): Unguarded projecting shaft end(s) did not present a smooth edge and end and projected more than one half the diameter of the shaft:   a)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., South Side Hog Conveyor Belt:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to caught in hazards while working near the unguarded one inch diameter shaft that extended approximately three inches beyond the pillow block.  b)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., Green Line Conveyor Belt near Swing Saw Round Table:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to caught in hazards while working near the unguarded one and one quarter inch diameter shaft that extended approximately one inch.  c)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., End Bar Machine Feed Conveyor Belt:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to caught in hazards while working near the unguarded one half inch diameter shaft that extended approximately one inch.  d)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., Pellet Mill Conveyor Belt:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to caught in hazards while working near the unguarded one inch diameter shaft that extended more than half its diameter.  Western Bee Supplies, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.219 (c)(4)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1487994, citation number 1, item number 4 and was affirmed as a final order on February 9, 2021, with respect to a workplace located at 5 Ninth Avenue East, Polson, MT 59860.

Issued

Jul 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $10,213 · Current $5,107 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(d)(1):Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o)(a):  a)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc.:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to caught in hazards while operating the shoulder saw near an unguarded 1 1/2 inch pulley of the electric motor located approximately 15 inches above the concrete floor.  b)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc.:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to caught in hazards while operating the shoulder saw near an unguarded 4 inch pulley of the gear box located approximately 15 inches above the concrete floor.  The Western Bee Supplies, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.219 (d)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1487994, citation number 1, item number 5/a and was affirmed as a final order on February 9, 2021, with respect to a workplace located at 5 Ninth Avenue East, Polson, MT 59860.

Issued

Jul 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(e)(1)(i):Horizontal belts which had both runs 42 inches or less from the floor level were not fully enclosed by guards conforming to requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):  a)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc.:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to caught in hazards while operating the shoulder saw near an unguarded 16 inch long horizontal belt run located 15 inches above the concrete floor.  The Western Bee Supplies, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.219 (e)(1)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1487994, citation number 1, item number 5/b and was affirmed as a final order on February 9, 2021, with respect to a workplace located at 5 Ninth Avenue East, Polson, MT 59860.

Issued

Jul 19, 2021

Abate by

Aug 12, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.334(a)(2)(i):Portable cord and plug connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) were not visually inspected before use on any shift for external defects (such as loose parts, deformed and missing pins, or damage to outer jacket or insulation) and for evidence of possible internal damage (such as pinched or crushed outer jacket):  a)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., Ovalstrapping bander orange extension cord:  On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior the employer failed to ensure each extension cord was visually inspected before use on any shift for damage to the insulation.

Issued

Jul 19, 2021

Abate by

Aug 12, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(f)(6)(ii): Except as provided in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(7) and 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(8), the employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, would provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical:  a)  Western Bee Supplies, Inc., North Wall of Shop: On or about March 11, 2021 and at times prior employees were exposed to chemical hazards while working with chemicals such as, but not limited to: fuels, diesel, No 2 (diesel fuel).  The employer failed to ensure that each container of chemicals in the workplace was labeled with the product identifier in words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provides at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals.