OSHA Inspection: TRI STATE TIMBER SAWMILL, LLC.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,465 · Current $1,536 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized  hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazards of hearing loss and being struck-by fragments of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) plastic pipe in the event the pipe ruptured:  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   Employees engaged in sawmill activities were exposed to struck-by and rupture hazards. This was most recently documented on or about January 31, 2023, and at times prior to, when employees were using compressed air contained in PVC plastic piping in exposed above-ground areas to transport compressed air at approximately 120 psi. Compressed air is used as part of the manufacturing process; as well as for cleaning purposes.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,250 · Current $2,150 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200M110

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 were kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   Employees were exposed to fire and explosion hazards. This was most recently documented on or about January 31, 2023, and at times prior to, when the employer did not provide walking-working surfaces that were free of hazards such as accumulation of sawdust.  Dry sawdust, a combustible and explosive dust, was observed in the facility on elevated surfaces at a depth greater than 1.5 inches.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,250 · Current $2,150 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(c)(1): The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.9(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to protect employees from occupational noise hazards. This was most recently demonstrated on or about February 1, 2023, when:  a) An employee in the edger/performing edging of wood boards was exposed to a dose of 68.5% or an equivalent of 87.2 decibels as an 8-hour time-weighted average and the employer had not developed and implemented a hearing conservation program. The sampling was performed for 424 minutes during one shift, exposure calculations included a zero time for the 56 minutes not sampled.  b) An employee in the Chipper area/performing chipping work was exposed to a dose of 82.2% or an equivalent of 88.5 decibels as an 8-hour time-weighted average and the employer had not developed and implemented a hearing conservation program. The sampling was performed for 461 minutes during one shift, exposure calculations included a zero time for the 19 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81118130

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(d)(1): When information indicated that any employee's exposure equaled or exceed the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program:   At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to protect employees from occupational noise hazards. This was most recently demonstrated on or about February 1, 2023, when:  a) An employee in the edger/performing edging of wood boards was exposed to a dose of 68.5% or an equivalent of 87.2 decibels as an 8-hour time-weighted average and the employer had not developed and implemented a monitoring program.  b) An employee in the Chipper area/performing chipping work was exposed to a dose of 82.2% or an equivalent of 88.5 decibels as an 8-hour time-weighted average and the employer had not developed and implemented a monitoring program.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to protect employees from occupational noise hazards. This was most recently demonstrated on or about February 1, 2023, when:  a) An employee in the edger/performing edging of wood boards was exposed to a dose of 68.5% or an equivalent of 87.2 decibels as an 8-hour time-weighted average and the employer had not provided baseline and/or annual audiometric testing was not provided to exposed employees.  b) An employee in the Chipper area/performing chipping work was exposed to a dose of 82.2% or an equivalent of 88.5 decibels as an 8-hour time-weighted average and the employer had not baseline and/or annual audiometric testing was not provided to exposed employees.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95(k). The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to protect employees from occupational noise hazards and train employees on the hazards of being exposed to occupational noise. This was most recently demonstrated on or about February 1, 2023, when the employer did not train each employees exposed to noise hazards while working in the sawmill. The employer did not develop or implement a training program to protect employees from occupational noise.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,465 · Current $1,536 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1340D150

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(b)(2)(vii)(a): The area surrounding a tank or a group of tanks was not provided with drainage as in subdivision (B) of this subdivision, or was not diked as provided in subdivision (C) of this subdivision, to prevent accidental discharge of liquid from endangering adjoining property or reaching waterways:  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to protect employees from potential fire hazards not preventing accidental discharge of liquid to adjoining property to reaching waterways. This was most recently demonstrated on or about January 31, 2023, when:  a) The area surrounding an above-ground gasoline storage tank was not diked or provided with appropriate drainage for a tank containing gasoline near the hurdle saw on the southeast wall.  b) The area surrounding an above-ground gasoline storage tank was not diked or provided with appropriate drainage for a tank containing gasoline near the hurdle saw on the northeast wall.  c) The area surrounding an above-ground gasoline storage tank was not diked or provided with appropriate drainage for a tank containing gasoline near the southeast wall mezzanine.  d) The area surrounding an above-ground gasoline storage tank was not diked or provided with appropriate drainage for a tank containing gasoline near the chipper/shaker.  e) The area surrounding an above-ground diesel storage tank was not diked or provided with appropriate drainage for a tank containing diesel near the entrance across from the hurdle saw.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,465 · Current $1,536 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(e)(6)(ii): Grounding. Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), shall not be dispensed into containers unless the nozzle and container are electrically interconnected. Where the metallic floorplate on which the container stands while filling is electrically connected to the fill stem or where the fill stem is bonded to the container during filling operations by means of a bond wire, the provisions of this section shall be deemed to have been complied with.  The employer failed to protect employees from potential fire hazards when Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), were being dispensed into containers without the nozzle and container being electrically interconnected as required. This was most recently demonstrated on or about January 31, 2023, when:  a) The area surrounding an above-ground gasoline storage tank was not provided with appropriate grounding or bonding for a tank containing gasoline near the hurdle saw on the southeast wall.  b) The area surrounding an above-ground gasoline storage tank was not provided with appropriate grounding or bonding for a tank containing gasoline near the hurdle saw on the northeast wall.  c) The area surrounding an above-ground gasoline storage tank was not provided with appropriate grounding or bonding for a tank containing gasoline near the southeast wall mezzanine.  d) The area surrounding an above-ground gasoline storage tank was not provided with appropriate grounding or bonding for a tank containing gasoline near the chipper/shaker.  e) The area surrounding an above-ground gasoline storage tank was not provided with appropriate grounding or bonding for a tank containing diesel near the entrance across from the hurdle saw.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,465 · Current $1,536 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.133(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation:  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to protect employees from struck-by hazards to the eye(s) or face; including but not limited to flying particles and liquid chemicals. This was most recently demonstrated on or about February 1, 2023, and at times prior to, when:  a) An employee at the edger/performing edging of wood boards was exposed to flying particles and was not protected by appropriate eye or face protection.  b) An employee near the bandsaw/performing refill of the windshield washer fluid was exposed to liquid chemicals and was not protected by appropriate eye or face protection.  c) An employee at the chipper/performing chipping of wood boards was exposed to flying particles and was not protected by appropriate eye or face protection.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,572 · Current $1,229 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(c)(2)(i): Respirator users were not provided with the information contained in Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134 when the employer determined that any voluntary respirator use was permissible:  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to protect employees from respiratory hazards; including but not limited to dermatitis, allergic respiratory effects, and mucosal and nonallergic respiratory effects. This was most recently demonstrated on or about February 13, 2023, and at times prior to, when employees wore an N95 respirator and had not been provided with a copy of Appendix D of the respiratory protection standard.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,465 · Current $1,536 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.135(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee wear a protective helmet when working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects:  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to protect employees from struck-by hazards; including but not limited to large wooden boards and wood scrap. This was most recently demonstrated on or about February 1, 2023, and at times prior to, when employees climb down into the horizontal shaker to retrieve large wood boards that had accidentally fallen off the line. Employees are not provided with a protective helmets as other workers continue to work overhead.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $5,358 · Current $1,843 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.136(a): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, or when the use of protective footwear will protect the affected employee from an electrical hazard, such as a static-discharge or electric-shock hazard, that remains after the employer takes other necessary protective measures.  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to protect employees from crushed-by hazards; including but not limited to large wood logs, large wooden boards, and wood scrap. This was most recently demonstrated on or about February 1, 2023, and at times prior to, when employees working throughout the facility were exposed to the manufacturing of wood products. Employees are not provided with protective footwear as they worked with and around heavy equipment and wood materials.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,465 · Current $1,536 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(1): The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces:   At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to protect employees from the potential hazards of permit-required confined spaces; including, but not limited to engulfment, entrapment, hazardous atmospheres or other recognized serious safety or health hazard. This was most recently demonstrated on or about January 31, 2023, and at times prior to, when an employee entered a large generator that had not been evaluated to determine if it was a permit-required confined space.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,465 · Current $1,536 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.169(b)(3)(i): Air receivers were not equipped with indicating pressure gauge(s), or one or more spring-loaded safety valves to prevent pressure in the receiver from exceeding the maximum allowable working pressure of the receiver by more than 10 percent:  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to protect employees from struck-by and explosion hazards. This was most recently demonstrated on or about January 31, 2023, and at times prior to when an air receiver was used in part to supply air to pneumatic air lines was not equipped with indicating pressure gauge(s), or one or more spring-loaded safety valves. This exposed employee to the potential pressure in the receiver exceeding the maximum allowable working pressure of the receiver by more than 10 percent.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,572 · Current $1,229 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.243(b)(2): Air hose and hose connections used for conducting compressed air to utilization equipment were not designed for the pressure and service to which they were subjected.  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to protect employees from struck-by hazards. This was most recently demonstrated on or about March 1, 2023, and at times prior to when there was an air hose that was used in part to supply air to pneumatic air lines. The air hose was attached to the hose fitting by a worm drive-type hose clamp which was not designed for use on an air hose.  a) Three clamps were associated with the Curtis Air Compressor and thereby exposing employees to possible whipping action of the hose if the clamp were to come off.   b) Two clamps were associated with the Hurdle Saw and thereby exposing employees to possible whipping action of the hose if the clamp were to come off.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,465 · Current $1,536 Reduced

Hazardous substances X100

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(2)(ii): Inside of buildings, cylinders were not stored in a well-protected, well-ventilated, dry location, at least 20 feet (6.1 m) from highly combustible materials such as oil or excelsior:  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to protect employees from fire and struck-by hazards when compressed gas cylinders inside buildings were not properly secured or well-protected. This was most recently demonstrated on or about January 31, 2023, and at times prior to, when employees would use oxygen and acetylene tanks for welding/cutting purposes.  a) Four oxygen cylinders were not anchored or secured to prevent displacement and thereby exposing the employees to a projectile hazard if the cylinder was knocked over.   b) Two acetylene cylinders were not anchored or secured to prevent displacement and thereby exposing the employees to a projectile hazard if the cylinder was knocked over.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,250 · Current $2,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c)(2)(i): Equipment in hazardous (classified) location(s) was not approved for the ignitable or combustible properties of the specific gas, vapor, dust, or fiber that was or could be present:  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to ensure that all equipment, wiring methods, and installations of equipment are intrinsically safe, approved for hazardous (classified) locations, or safe for use in the hazardous (classified) location.  This was most recently demonstrated on or about January 31, 2023, and at times prior to, when wood dust and fibers were generated as part of the chipping process. This exposes employees to the potential of fire and explosion hazards.      a) General-purpose electrical fixtures, conduit, and wiring methods were used and installed in a Class 1 Division 2 location in the area around the Precision chipper and shaker table.  The electrical fixtures, conduit, and wiring methods were not intrinsically safe, approved for the hazardous (classified) location, or safe for the hazardous (classified) location.     b) An electrical control panel was used and installed in a Class 1 Division 2 location, in the area around the Precision chipper and shaker table.  The control panel and associated components were not intrinsically safe, approved for the hazardous (classified) location, or safe for the hazardous (classified) location.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,250 · Current $2,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to protect employees from exposure to potentially toxic or hazardous substances. This was most recently demonstrated on or about February 1, 2023, and at times prior to when workers were using chemicals in the workplace as part of the manufacturing process and the employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to protect employees from exposure to potentially toxic or hazardous substances. This was most recently demonstrated on or about February 1, 2023, and at times prior to when workers were using chemicals in the workplace as part of the manufacturing process and the employer had not provided effective information and training to employees on the hazardous chemicals in their workplace.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

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.  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to protect employees from exposure to potentially toxic or hazardous substances. This was most recently demonstrated on or about February 1, 2023, and at times prior to when workers were using chemicals in the workplace as part of the manufacturing process and the employer had not 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.  a) An above-ground gasoline storage tank was not labeled, tagged, or marked with the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof for a tank containing gasoline near the hurdle saw on the southeast wall.  b) An above-ground gasoline storage tank was not labeled, tagged, or marked with the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or a combination thereof for a gasoline tank near the hurdle saw on the northeast wall.  c) An above-ground gasoline storage tank was not labeled, tagged, or marked with the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or a combination thereof for a gasoline tank near the southeast wall mezzanine.  d) An above-ground gasoline storage tank was not labeled, tagged, or marked with the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof for a gasoline tank near the chipper/shaker.  e) An above-ground gasoline storage tank was not labeled, tagged, or marked with the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or a combination thereof for a diesel tank near the entrance across from the hurdle saw.  f)  A container with an unknown red liquid was not labeled, tagged, or marked with the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or a combination thereof for a container near the WN3500 horizontal band saw.

Issued

Jul 10, 2023

Abate by

Dec 4, 2024

Penalty

Initial $501 · Current $172 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify, through a written certification, that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed:  At a worksite located at 33643 State Route 6, Brashear, MO:   The employer failed to protect employees from exposure to potential physical and health-related hazards. This was most recently demonstrated on or about January 31, 2023, and at times prior to, when workers were exposed to physical and health-related hazards; including but not limited to flying wood particles, falling wood boards or large pieces, liquid chemicals, wood dust, and noisy equipment in the workplace as part of the manufacturing process. The employer had not verified that a hazard assessment had been performed at the facility through a written certification.