OSHA Inspection: BAKER TIMBER PRODUCTS, INC.

Issued

Apr 20, 2023

Abate by

May 16, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,938 · Current $7,656 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.265(c)(4)(vi): Walkways and stairways, with standard handrails, were not provided where required in elevated and hazardous locations:  (a)Baker Timber Products at 16536 South Highway 16, Rapid City, SD 57702:  On or about and at times prior to January 19, 2023, the employer did not ensure that employees were protected from fall hazards in the Sawmill area next to the drag conveyor between the Sawmill and the Sticker Machine due to inadequate top guard rails and lack of mid-rails.  This condition exposed employees to fall hazards into and onto the drag conveyor below.  (b)Baker Timber Products at 16536 South Highway 16, Rapid City, SD 57702:  On or about and at times prior to January 19, 2023, the employer did not ensure that employees were protected from fall hazards on the Sawmill between the Sawmill cab and the Trim Saw deck due to inadequate top guard rails and lack of mid-rails.   This condition exposed employees to fall hazards into and onto the Sawmill below.  (c)Baker Timber Products at 16536 South Highway 16, Rapid City, SD 57702:  On or about and at times prior to January 19, 2023, the employer did not ensure that employees were protected from fall hazards in the Postmill area next to the drag conveyor on the west side of machine in that no guarding is present.  This condition exposed employees to fall hazards into and onto  the drag conveyor below.

Issued

Apr 20, 2023

Abate by

May 16, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.29(b)(1): The employer did not ensure that guardrail systems met the requirement that the top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, that are 42 inches (107 cm), plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm), above the walking-working surface. The top edge height may exceed 45 inches (114 cm), provided the guardrail system meets all other criteria of paragraph (b) of this section:  (a)Baker Timber Products at 16536 South Highway 16, Rapid City, SD 57702:  On or about and at times prior to January 19, 2023, the employer did not ensure that employees were protected from fall hazards in that  the guardrail installed on the Sawmill area outside of the headhouse measured 35 1/2 inches.  This condition exposed employees to fall hazards into dangerous equipment.   (b)Baker Timber Products at 16536 South Highway 16, Rapid City, SD 57702:  On or about and at times prior to January 19, 2023, the employer did not ensure that employees were protected from fall hazards in that guardrail systems installed on the Sawmill area between the Sticker Machine and the Drag Conveyor measured 35 1/2 inches.  This condition exposed employees to fall hazards into dangerous equipment.  (c)Baker Timber Products at 16536 South Highway 16, Rapid City, SD 57702:  On or about and at times prior to January 19, 2023, the employer did not ensure that adequate guardrail was installed on the Sawmill area catwalk in that the height of the top rail measured 35 1/2 inches.  This condition exposed employees to fall hazards greater than four feet.

Issued

Apr 20, 2023

Abate by

May 16, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.29(b)(2)(i): The employer did not ensure that guardrails met the requirement that midrails are installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking-working surface:  (a)Baker Timber Products at 16536 South Highway 16, Rapid City, SD 57702:  On or about and at times prior to January 19, 2023, the employer did not ensure that employees were protected from fall hazards in that guardrail systems installed on the Sawmill area outside of the headhouse did not have a midrail.  This condition exposed employees to fall hazards into dangerous equipment.   (b)Baker Timber Products at 16536 South Highway 16, Rapid City, SD 57702:  On or about and at times prior to January 19, 2023, the employer did not ensure that employees were protected from fall hazards in that guardrail systems installed on the Sawmill area between the Sticker Machine and the Drag Conveyor did not have a midrail.  This condition exposed employees to fall hazards into dangerous equipment.  (c)Baker Timber Products at 16536 South Highway 16, Rapid City, SD 57702:  On or about and at times prior to January 19, 2023, the employer did not ensure that employees were protected from fall hazards in the Sawmill on the catwalk where guardrail systems did not meet the midrail requirements of the standard.  This condition exposed employees to fall hazards over six feet to the ground.

Issued

Apr 20, 2023

Abate by

May 16, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,938 · Current $7,656 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.213(n)(1): Metal guards covering the cutting heads, and saws if used, were not provided:  (a)Baker Timber Products at 16536 South Highway 16, Rapid City, SD 57702:  On or about and at times prior to January 19, 2023, the employer did not ensure the Sticker Machine blade in the Sawmill facility was properly guarded.  This condition exposed employees to caught-in and amputation hazards associated with the unguarded saw blade of the Sticker Machine.

Issued

Apr 20, 2023

Abate by

May 16, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.213(r)(4): Suitable guards were not provided to reduce to a minimum the hazard due to the point of operation of the chop saw:   (a)Baker Timber Products at 16536 South Highway 16, Rapid City, SD 57702:  On or about and at times prior to January 19, 2023, the employer did not ensure the Chop Saw in the Sawmill facility was properly guarded.  This condition exposed employees to caught-in and amputation hazards associated with approximately 12-inches of unguarded chop saw blade.

Issued

Apr 20, 2023

Abate by

May 16, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,250 · Current $3,648 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(e)(3)(i): Vertical or inclined belts were not enclosed by guards conforming to the requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):  (a)Baker Timber Products at 16536 South Highway 16, Rapid City, SD 57702:  On or about and at times prior to January 19, 2023, the employer did not ensure that belts were properly guarded on the Sticker Machine in the Sawmill facility.  This condition exposed employees to caught-in and amputation hazards associated with the unguarded belts of the Sticker Machine.  (b)Baker Timber Products at 16536 South Highway 16, Rapid City, SD 57702:  On or about and at times prior to January 19, 2023, the employer did not ensure a spinning belt drive for the Postmill Blower machine was adequately guarded.  This condition exposed employees to caught-in hazards associated with the unguarded drive mechanism of the machine.

Issued

Apr 20, 2023

Abate by

May 16, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven (7) feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:  (a)Baker Timber Products at 16536 South Highway 16, Rapid City, SD 57702:  On or about and at times prior to January 19, 2023, the employer did not ensure the Postmill Deck Table in the Postmill facility was guarded.  The employer did not ensure a spinning drive mechanism for the Postmill Deck Table area was guarded in that sprockets and chains were openly visible and unguarded.  This condition exposed employees to caught-in hazards associated with the unguarded moving parts of the drive mechanism.