OSHA Inspection: WISCONSIN VENEER AND PLYWOOD, INC.

Issued

Jun 3, 2022

Abate by

Jul 5, 2022

Penalty

Initial $4,931 · Current $2,959 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.28(b)(1)(i):  Except as provided elsewhere in this section, the employer must ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by one or more of the following:    On or about January 5, 2022; at an establishment located at 610 Railroad Street in Mattoon, Wisconsin, in the Saw Mill, employees cleaning  off the  log deck between the debarker and head saw were not utilizing fall protection exposing them to fall hazards of approximately seven feet six inches.

Issued

Jun 3, 2022

Penalty

Initial $6,164 · Current $3,698 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.28(b)(3)(iv):  Each employee is protected from falling into a ladderway floor hole or ladderway platform hole by a guardrail system and toe boards erected on all exposed sides, except at the entrance to the hole, where a self-closing gate or an offset must be used;  (a)  On or about January 6, 2022, at an establishment located at 610 Railroad Street in Mattoon, Wisconsin, in the Saw Mill, the ladder used to access the Edger did not have a swing gate exposing employees to fall hazards when accessing the ladder from the elevated catwalk.  (b)  Between January and February 2022, at an establishment located at 610 Railroad Street in Mattoon, Wisconsin, in the Boiler Room, the fixed ladder going to the elevated catwalk for the ID fan did not have a swing gate exposing employees to fall hazard when performing preventative maintenance.  (c)  On or about February 24, 2022, at an establishment located at 610 Railroad Street in Mattoon, Wisconsin, in the Boiler Room, the fixed ladder located on the back side of the Hurst boiler was used to access the top of the boiler to perform preventative maintenance did not have a swing gate exposing employees to fall hazards when accessing the ladder for the elevated catwalk.

Issued

Jun 3, 2022

Penalty

Initial $6,164 · Current $3,698 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.28(b)(6)(i):  Each employee less than 4 feet (1.2 m) above dangerous equipment is protected from falling into or onto the dangerous equipment by a guardrail system or a travel restraint system, unless the equipment is covered or guarded to eliminate the hazard.  On or about January 25, 2022, at an establishment located at 610 Railroad Street in Mattoon, Wisconsin, in the Lathe Area, employees were exposed to fall hazards to a moving conveyor below leading to the hog.  The railing extended approximately 32 inches above the platform.

Issued

Jun 3, 2022

Penalty

Initial $10,151 · Current $6,091 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(1):  Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be 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. Examples of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc.  On or about January 6, 2022, at an establishment located at 610 Railroad Street in Mattoon, Wisconsin, in the Splicing Department; the grading table (unidentified manufacturer) had unguarded in-running nip points at both ends exposing employees to caught between hazards when grabbing the graded veneer sheets.

Issued

Jun 3, 2022

Penalty

Initial $10,151 · Current $6,091 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(c)(2)(i): All exposed parts of horizontal shafting seven (7) feet or less from floor or working platform, excepting runways used exclusively for oiling, or running adjustments, shall be protected by a stationary casing enclosing shafting completely or by a trough enclosing sides and top or sides and bottom of shafting as location requires.   On or about January 25, 2022, at an establishment located at 610 Railroad Street in Mattoon, Wisconsin, in the Cutting Department the 80 inch Reeling Station had a rotating reel which extended approximately 1.75 inch exposing employees to caught in and entanglement hazards near the walkway to the employee's workstation.

Issued

Jun 3, 2022

Abate by

Jul 5, 2022

Penalty

Initial $10,151 · Current $6,091 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.265(c)(18)(i):  Standards. Construction, operation, and maintenance of conveyors shall be in accordance with American National Standard B20.1-1957, which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6.   On or about January 6, 2022, at an establishment located at 610 Railroad Street in Mattoon, Wisconsin, the deck descrambler had exposed in-running nip points between the chain and sprocket exposing employees to caught between hazards.

Issued

Jun 3, 2022

Abate by

Jul 5, 2022

Penalty

Initial $4,931 · Current $2,959 Reduced

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 about January 25, 2022, at an establishment located at 610 Railroad Street in Mattoon, Wisconsin, in the Saw Mill Area; a household portable relocatable power tap (surge protector) was daisy chained from the outlet with an extension cord plugged in exposing employees to shock and fire hazards.  (b)  On or about January 25, 2022, at an establishment located at 610 Railroad Street in Mattoon, Wisconsin, in the Saw Mill Area; a household portable relocatable power tap (surge protector) was daisy chained from the surge protector to the extension cords plugged into wall mounted fans and a movable fan exposing employees to shock and fire hazards.

Issued

Jun 3, 2022

Penalty

Initial $6,164 · Current $3,698 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(6): Deteriorating agents. Unless identified for use in the operating environment, no conductors or equipment shall be located in damp or wet locations; where exposed to gases, fumes, vapors, liquids, or other agents that have a deteriorating effect on the conductors or equipment; or where exposed to excessive temperatures.  On or about January 6, 2022, at an establishment located at 610 Railroad Street in Mattoon, Wisconsin, by the Splicing Department leading to the Dryer Area; water was running down the exterior of the 480/277V electrical panel exposing employees to electrical shock hazards.

Issued

Jun 3, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.36(g)(2): An exit access must be at least 28 inches (71.1 cm) wide at all points. Where there is only one exit access leading to an exit or exit discharge, the width of the exit and exit discharge must be at least equal to the width of the exit access.   On or about February 24, 2022, at an establishment located at 610 Railroad Street in Mattoon, Wisconsin, door W6 leading to the boiler room opened approximately 22.5 inches due to ground/snow heaving reducing the travel of the exit door.