OSHA Inspection: INDOOR SOLUTIONS-HVAC, INC.

Issued

Apr 14, 2022

Abate by

Apr 26, 2022

Penalty

Initial $5,801 · Current $4,060 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.23(b)(9): The employer did not ensure that ladders  are inspected before initial use in each work shift, and more frequently as necessary, to identify any visible defects that could cause employee injury.  a) Office Driveway; 411 First Ave., Columbus, GA 31901 - On or about 10/15/2021, the employer exposed an employee to a fall hazard of approximately 9 feet, in that: it failed to inspect a 10-foot A-frame fiberglass step ladder that had damage to its padded feet on both front rails.

Issued

Apr 14, 2022

Abate by

Apr 26, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.23(b)(10): The employer did not ensure that any ladder with structural or other defects as immediately tagged "Dangerous: Do Not Use" or with similar language in accordance with � 1910.145 and removed from service until repaired in accordance with � 1910.22(d), or replaced.  a) Office Driveway; 411 First Ave., Columbus, GA 31901 - On or about 10/15/2021, the employer exposed employees to a fall from a height of approximately nine (9) feet, in that; an employee was allowed to use a 10-foot A-frame fiberglass step ladder with visible defects on the rubber shoes/feet of both front rails. The ladder was not tagged with "Dangerous: Do Not Use" or similar language or replaced.

Issued

Apr 14, 2022

Abate by

May 10, 2022

Penalty

Initial $5,801 · Current $2,901 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.23(c)(4): The employer did not ensure that ladders that are used only on stable and level surfaces unless they are secured or stabilized to prevent accidental displacement.  a) Office Driveway; 411 First Ave., Columbus, GA 31901- On or about 10/15/2021, the employer exposed employees to falls of approximately nine (9) feet, in that a 10- foot Werner A-frame fiberglass step ladder was not stabilized and leveled before use by employees performing landscaping functions.

Issued

Apr 14, 2022

Abate by

May 10, 2022

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $11,602 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.23(c)(8): 29 CFR 1910.23(c)(8): The employer did not ensure that the cap (if equipped) and top step of a stepladder that are not used as steps.    a) Office Driveway, 411 First Ave. Columbus, Georgia - On or about 10/15/2021, the employer exposed employees to fall from a height of approximately nine (9) feet, in that employees were allowed to stand on the top step of a 10-foot Werner A-frame fiberglass stepladder while performing landscaping functions on a rough concrete surface.

Issued

Apr 14, 2022

Abate by

May 10, 2022

Penalty

Initial $5,801 · Current $4,061 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.30(b)(1): The employer did not train each employee on or before May 17, 2017 in the proper care, inspection, storage, and use of equipment covered by this subpart before an employee uses the equipment.  a) Office Driveway; 411 First Ave., Columbus, GA 31901 - On or about 10/15/2021, the employer exposed employees to falls of approximately nine (9) feet, in that employees were not required to attend training on the use of a 10-foot Werner fiberglass ladder while performing landscaping functions.

Issued

Apr 14, 2022

Abate by

Jun 1, 2022

Penalty

Initial $4,144 · Current $2,073 Reduced

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 Area: On or about 10/18/2021, and at times prior, employees working inside of warehouse area were potentially exposed to struck-by and/or fire hazards, in that the employer failed to ensure that compressed gases, such as but not limited to, propane and refrigerants: R22-125, R22-50, R22-30, R410A-25 and R410A-100 were properly secured in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965. Employees who worked in the proximity to unsecured gas cylinders were not protected should the cylinders rupture, be hit by the powered industrial vehicle, or fall and become a projectile.  b) Back Warehouse Storage Area: On or about 10/18/2021, and at times prior, employees working near the back of warehouse storage area were potentially exposed to struck-by and/or fire hazards, in that the employer failed to ensure that compressed gases, such as but not limited to: propane, oxygen, acetylene, nitrogen; and refrigerants: R22-125, R22-50, R22-30, R410A-25 and R410A-100 were properly secured in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965. Employees who worked in the proximity to unchained gas cylinders were not protected should the cylinders rupture, be hit by the powered industrial vehicle, or fall and become a projectile.

Issued

Apr 14, 2022

Abate by

Jun 1, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,315 · Current $2,652 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) Various Client Sites: On or about 10/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical, struck-by, and caught-in hazards, in that the employer did not adequately develop specific LOTO procedures for employees working on HVAC equipment such as, but not limited to, air handler supply and return fans (Model #: unknown, S/N: unknown) at various residential and/or commercial client locations.

Issued

Apr 14, 2022

Abate by

Jun 1, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,315 · Current $2,652 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls are acquired by employees:   (a) Various Client Sites: On or about 10/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical, struck-by, and caught-in hazards, in that 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 was not provided to employees authorized to complete service and maintenance activities. The employees are working on HVAC equipment such as, but not limited to, air handler supply and return fans (Model #: unknown, S/N: unknown) at various residential and/or commercial client locations.

Issued

Apr 14, 2022

Abate by

Jun 1, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,315 · Current $2,321 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 10/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to struck-by hazards, in that untrained employees were authorized to operate the company's powered industrial vehicle (PIV) including, but not limited to, Nissan Propane Sit-Down Fork Truck - Model no.: PJ01A15V, Serial no.: PJ01-9G1159. The operator, as well as, employees working in the immediate area of the fork truck operations were not protected from the potential hazards.

Issued

Apr 14, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,315 · Current $1,989 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.253(b)(4)(iii): Oxygen cylinders in storage were not separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet:  a) Back Warehouse Storage Area - On or about 10/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to fire hazards in that the employer failed to ensure that compressed cylinders containing oxygen and acetylene were properly stored. The cylinders were stored lined up next to or within 4.5 feet of each other. Employees who worked in the proximity to unsecured cylinders were not protected should a cylinder rupture or fall and oxygen mix with acetylene. The warehouse walls are made of plywood.

Issued

Apr 14, 2022

Abate by

Jun 1, 2022

Penalty

Initial $2,486 · Current $1,989 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 Area: On or about 10/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to chemical hazards, in that employees were not trained on the chemicals utilized in the workplace, such as, but not limited to, nitrogen used for drying copper pipe; acetylene and oxygen, used for welding; propane used as fuel for the fork truck; R22-125, R22-50, R22-30, R410A-25 and R410A-100 used in HVAC equipment.  b) Various Client Sites: On or about 10/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to chemical hazards, in that employees were not trained on the chemicals utilized in the workplace, such as, but not limited to, nitrogen used for drying copper pipe; acetylene and oxygen, used for welding; R22-125, R22-50, R22-30, R410A-25 and R410A-100 used in HVAC equipment.

Issued

Apr 14, 2022

Abate by

Jun 1, 2022

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 Area: On or before 10/18/2021, and at times prior, the 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). Chemicals include but are not limited to, acetylene, oxygen, and propane used for welding and the fork truck; R22-125, R22-50, R22-30, R410A-25, and R410A-100 used in HVAC equipment.  b) Various Client Sites: the 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). Chemicals include, but are not limited to, acetylene and oxygen used for welding; R22-125, R22-50, R22-30, R410A-25, and R410A-100 used in HVAC equipment. Nitrogen is also used for drying copper pipe.

Issued

Apr 14, 2022

Penalty

Initial $2,486 · Current $1,865 Reduced

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) Office Driveway; 411 First Ave., Columbus, GA 31901: On or about 10/15/2021, the employer did not report the work-related injury requiring the in-patient hospitalization of an employee within 24 hours.

Issued

Apr 14, 2022

Abate by

Jun 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not 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) Entire Facility and Client Sites: On or about 10/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to fire, struck-by, electrical, and chemical hazards associated with the contracting of HVAC operations dealing with the servicing, maintenance of HVAC units, and landscaping activities, in that the employer did not certify that a workplace hazard assessment had been completed.

Issued

Apr 14, 2022

Abate by

Apr 26, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Warehouse Area: On or about 10/18/2021 the employer exposed employees to fire hazards, in that a (ABC) portable fire extinguisher was not mounted to allow access to an employee in case of an emergency.

Issued

Apr 14, 2022

Abate by

Apr 26, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(e)(3): Portable fire extinguishers were not subjected to an annual maintenance check:  a) Warehouse Area: On or about 10/18/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to fire hazards in that a (ABC) portable fire extinguisher was last checked in 2010.