OSHA Inspection: FLORENCE HARDWOODS, LLC

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6875.00 · Current $6875.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(c): Access and egress. The employer must provide, and ensure each employee uses, a safe means of access and egress to and from walking-working surfaces:   a) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; employees were not provided safe access to the elevated work platform on the SweCan Outfeed conveyor. Employees had to step about 31.5 in. to reach the platform on a daily basis to clear jams of the cants after they came out of the headsaw and transitioned to the gang saw conveyor infeed.  b) On or about June 26, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin on the exterior of the Sawmill; employees accessing the elevated work platform on the north end of the exterior log unscrambler, climbed over the fixed guardrail to cross the unguarded log deck conveyor and down onto the work platform, exposing employees to a trip and fall hazard onto the elevated work platform.   c) On or about June 26, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin on the exterior of the Sawmill; employees accessing the elevated work platform on the south side of the exterior log unscrambler, climbed over the fixed guardrail to cross the  unguarded log deck conveyor to grease bearings and/or re-adjust the photo-eye, exposing employees to a fall hazard over nine feet to the ground level below.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8595.00 · Current $8595.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i): Unprotected sides and edges. 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:     a) On or about June 26, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; employees working near the east wall of the Debarker were exposed to fall hazards of over eight feet from an unprotected wall opening without adequate guardrails.  b) On or about June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; employees removing sticks and/or cutting metal banding from stick bundles were exposed to a potential fall hazard of over 6.5 feet from the elevated stick conveyor on the infeed of the stick stacker.  c) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building; employees accessing and walking across the loose boards on the Mellott Dry Chain System were not protected from fall hazards over four feet up to six feet from the boards to the concrete floor below.   d) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building; employees accessing and walking on top of the stick cart(s) on the Mellott Stick Stacking System were not protected from fall hazards over four feet to the concrete floor below.   e) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; employees working in close proximity to the unprotected side of the C310 operator's station created by a gap in the equipment framing were not protected from a caught in hazard or a fall hazard over 6.5 feet to the concrete floor below.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8595.00 · Current $8595.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(7): The employer must ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface near an opening, including one with a chute attached, where the inside bottom edge of the opening is less than 39 inches (99 cm) above that walking-working surface and the outside bottom edge of the opening is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by the use of:    On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; the Gang Trim Saw operator was exposed to a fall hazard over 16 feet from the waste chute opening immediately adjacent to the operator's station.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8595.00 · Current $8595.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): The procedures shall clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, the following:  a) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; employees were required to perform maintenance and servicing tasks on the gang saw and procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques nor did the procedure identify all energy sources to be de-energized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance.   b) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; employees were required to perform maintenance and servicing tasks on the McDonough resaw and the procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques nor did the procedure identify all energy sources to be de-energized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance.   c) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building; employees were required to perform maintenance and servicing tasks on the Mellott Stick Stacking System and procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques nor did the procedures identify all energy sources and/or hazards to be de-energized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance.   d) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building; employees were required to perform maintenance and servicing tasks on the Mellott Dry Chains and Tilt Deck and procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques nor did the procedures identify all energy sources and/or hazards to be de-energized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance.   e) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building; employees were required to perform maintenance and servicing tasks on the Newman EPR-24 planer and procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques nor did the procedures identify all energy sources and/or hazards to be de-energized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8595.00 · Current $8595.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer shall conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements of this standard are being followed:   On or about June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill and Planer Building; employees were required to perform various maintenance and servicing tasks on equipment and machinery including but not limited to, the Gang Saw and the McDonough ReSaw, the employer failed to perform periodic inspections on any of their energy control procedures to ensure that the procedure and the requirements of this standard were followed.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8595.00 · Current $8595.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.177(c)(1): The employer shall provide a program to train all employees who service rim wheels in the hazards involved in servicing those rim wheels and the safety procedures to be followed:   On or about July 11, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Truck Shop; the employer did not provide a program to train all employees, working in the Truck Shop tasked with changing tires and rims, in safety procedures to be followed when servicing single-piece rim wheels.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.177(c)(2): The employer shall assure that each employee demonstrates and maintains the ability to service rim wheels safely, including performance of the following tasks:   1910.177(c)(2)(i) Demounting of tires (including deflation); 1910.177(c)(2)(ii) Inspection and identification of the rim wheel components; 1910.177(c)(2)(iii) Mounting of tires (including inflation with a restraining device or other safeguard required by this section); 1910.177(c)(2)(iv) Use of the restraining device or barrier, and other equipment required by this section; 1910.177(c)(2)(v) Handling of rim wheels; 1910.177(c)(2)(vi) Inflation of the tire when a single piece rim wheel is mounted on a vehicle; 1910.177(c)(2)(vii) An understanding of the necessity of standing outside the trajectory both during inflation of the tire and during inspection of the rim wheel following inflation; and 1910.177(c)(2)(viii) Installation and removal of rim wheels.  On or about July 11, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Truck Shop; the employer did not provide a program to train all employees, working in the Truck Shop tasked with changing tires and rims, in safety procedures to be followed when servicing single-piece rim wheels.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.177(c)(3): The employer shall evaluate each employee's ability to perform these tasks and to service rim wheels safely, and shall provide additional training as necessary to assure that each employee maintains his or her proficiency:  On or about July 11, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Truck Shop; The employer did not have a training program nor an evaluation procedure for employees servicing and changing commercial vehicle tires and rims.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8595.00 · Current $8595.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.177(g): Safe operating procedure-single piece rim wheels. The employer shall establish a safe operating procedure for servicing single piece rim wheels and shall assure that employees are instructed in and follow that procedure. The procedure shall include at least the elements identified in 29 CFR 1910.177(g)(1) through 1910.177(g)(12):  On or about July 11, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Truck Shop; the employer did not develop safe operating procedures for employees engaged in demounting and mounting single rim wheels.  The elements of a safe operating procedure, include but are not limited to the following;  1) Tires shall be completely deflated by removal of the valve core before demounting,  2) Mounting and demounting of the tire shall be done only from the narrow ledge side of the wheel. Care shall be taken to avoid damaging the tire beads while mounting tires on wheels. Tires shall be mounted only on compatible wheels of matching bead diameter and width,  3) Nonflammable rubber lubricant shall be applied to bead and wheel mating surfaces before assembly of the rim wheel, unless the tire or wheel manufacturer recommends against the use of any rubber lubricant,  4) If a tire changing machine is used, the tire shall be inflated only to the minimum pressure necessary to force the tire bead onto the rim ledge while on the tire changing machine,  5) If a bead expander is used, it shall be removed before the valve core is installed and as soon as the rim wheel becomes airtight (the tire bead slips onto the bead seat),  6) Tires may be inflated only when contained within a restraining device, positioned behind a barrier or bolted on the vehicle with the lug nuts fully tightened,  7) Tires shall not be inflated when any flat, solid surface is in the trajectory and within one foot of the sidewall,  8) Employees shall stay out of the trajectory when inflating a tire,  9) Tires shall not be inflated to more than the inflation pressure stamped in the sidewall unless a higher pressure is recommended by the manufacturer,  10) Tires shall not be inflated above the maximum pressure recommended by the manufacturer to seat the tire bead firmly against the rim flange,  11) No heat shall be applied to a single piece wheel,  12) Cracked, broken, bent, or otherwise damaged wheels shall not be reworked, welded, brazed, or otherwise heated.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6875.00 · Current $6875.00

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.:   a) On or about June 26, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Maintenance Shop; the Startrite H225 horizontal band saw was not equipped with adjustable guards on the unused portion of the saw blade exposing employees to cutting and/or shear hazards.   b) On or about June 26, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Maintenance Shop; the JET drill press was not equipped with an adjustable chuck guard to prevent employee exposure to entanglement hazards.   c) On or about July 5, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Truck Shop; the Ellis variable speed drill press was not equipped with an adjustable chuck guard to prevent employee exposure to entanglement hazards.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8595.00 · Current $8595.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9): Exposure adjustment. Safety guards of the types described in Subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this paragraph, where the operator stands in front of the opening, shall be constructed so that the peripheral protecting member can be adjusted to the constantly decreasing diameter of the wheel. The maximum angular exposure above the horizontal plane of the wheel spindle as specified in paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this section shall never be exceeded, and the distance between the wheel periphery and the adjustable tongue or the end of the peripheral member at the top shall never exceed one-fourth inch. (See Figures O-18, O-19, O-20, O-21, O-22, and O-23.):   a) On or about June 26, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Maintenance Shop; employees were exposed to struck by hazards due to the tongue guard on the JET 6" Bench Grinder JBA-6A tongue guard not adjusted to ? inch or less to the abrasive grinding wheel.  b) On or about June 26, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Maintenance Shop; employees were exposed to struck by hazards due to the tongue guard on the Cincinnati Electrical Tool Co. not adjusted to ? inch or less to the abrasive grinding wheel.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6875.00 · Current $6875.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(i): Projecting shaft ends shall present a smooth edge and end and shall not project more than one-half the diameter of the shaft unless guarded by nonrotating caps or safety sleeves:   a) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Mill; employees were exposed to an unguarded rotating shaft protruding from the Merneen-Johnson ReSaw #2, 431-DC electric motor enclosure.   b) On or about June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Mill; employees were exposed to an unguarded rotating shaft protruding from the Mellott LM13-916-12 outfeed cart chain electric motor enclosure.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8595.00 · Current $8595.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning. Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning purposes except where reduced to less than 30 psi and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment:   a) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; the air wand used by employees for cleaning purposes near and in the McDonough resaw was not reduced down to 30 psi due to the pressure reducing tip being removed from the nozzle.   b) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; the Guard Air 75XT XtraThrust air wand used by employees for cleaning purposes near and in the gang saw was not reduced down to 30 psi due to the pressure reducing tip being removed from the nozzle.   c) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; the air wand used by employees for cleaning purposes in the Turtle was not reduced down to 30 psi due to the pressure reducing tip being removed from the nozzle.   d) On or about July 11, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Truck Shop; the air wand used by employees for cleaning purposes at the work table, did not have a pressure reducing nozzle to ensure the air pressure was 30 psi or less.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8595.00 · Current $8595.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(4)(iv): Elevated walks. All elevated walks, runways, or platforms, if 4 feet or more from the floor level, shall be provided with a standard railing except on loading or unloading sides of platforms. If height exceeds 6 feet, a standard toe board also shall be provided to prevent material from rolling or falling off.  a) On or about June 26, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin on the exterior of the Sawmill; employees accessing the elevated work platform on the north end of the exterior log unscrambler, climbed over the fixed guardrail to cross the log deck conveyor and down onto the unguarded work platform were exposed to a fall hazard over nine feet to the ground level below.  b) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin, on the exterior of the Sawmill; employees accessing the Green Saw Dust Trailer Platform were exposed to a potential fall hazard of approximately 78 inches when changing and installing dust collection tubes and checking trailer dust levels.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6875.00 · Current $6875.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(5)(i): Construction. Stairways shall be constructed in accordance with 29 CFR part 1910, subpart D:   a) On or about June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; employees utilizing the fixed stairs leading up to the Swecan operator's station, were exposed to potential fall and/or tripping hazards from the damaged and uneven stair risers.   b) On or about June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; employees were exposed to potential trip and/or fall hazards from the stair tread leading from the "Turtle" up onto the elevated walkway not having a minimum tread depth of 9.5 inches.   c) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin on the exterior of the Sawmill; employees accessing the elevated work platform for the Green Saw Dust Trailers were exposed to potential fall hazards due to the stair railing being damaged and not connected at the base of the railing.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6875.00 · Current $6875.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(5)(ii): Handrails. Stairways shall be provided with a standard handrail on at least one side or on any open side. Where stairs are more than four feet wide there shall be a standard handrail at each side, and where more than eight feet wide, a third standard handrail shall be erected in the center of the stairway.  a) On or about June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin on the exterior of the sawmill; the stairs leading to and from the underside of the log deck and the hogger were not equipped with handrails on each open side, exposing employees to a fall hazard.    b) On or about June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the sawmill; the stairs leading to the Swecan operator's station were not equipped with handrails on each open side, exposing employees to a fall hazard.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6875.00 · Current $6875.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(e)(6)(i)(c): Pressure feed rolls and "pineapples" shall be guarded.   On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building; the Mellott overhead gravity pressure roll was not guarded to prevent a pinch point hazard from the side of the machine framing.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12031.00 · Current $12031.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.333(a): "General." Safety-related work practices shall be employed to prevent electric shock or other injuries resulting from either direct or indirect electrical contacts, when work is performed near or on equipment or circuits which are or may be energized. The specific safety-related work practices shall be consistent with the nature and extent of the associated electrical hazards:   On or about June 20, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building; the employer did not ensure that live parts were deenergized prior to employees accessing the interior of equipment control panels to reset and/or reverse drive motors on the Mellott Automatic Stick Stacker System, exposing employees to electrical shock hazards.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $137508.00 · Current $137508.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(v): The employer must ensure that each employee is protected from falling through a hatchway and chute-floor hole by: 1) A hinged floor-hole cover that meets the criteria in § 1910.29 and a fixed guardrail system that leaves only one exposed side. When the hole is not in use, the employer must ensure the cover is closed or a removable guardrail system is provided on the exposed sides;  2) A removable guardrail system and toeboards on not more than two sides of the hole and a fixed guardrail system on all other exposed sides. The employer must ensure the removable guardrail system is kept in place when the hole is not in use; or  3) A guardrail system or a travel restraint system when a work operation necessitates passing material through a hatchway or chute floor hole:   Florence Hardwoods, LLC does not ensure that employees are protected from fall hazards through unguarded chute-floor openings when throwing scrap pieces of lumber into the waste chutes. This violation was most recently observed on June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill.     a) On or about June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; employees sorting lumber and removing waste from the conveyor following the McDonough resaw were exposed to a fall hazard up to approximately 10 feet into an unguarded waste chute located immediately behind their working position.  b) On or about June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; employees sorting lumber and removing waste from the conveyor following the gang saw were exposed to a fall hazard up to approximately 10 feet into an unguarded waste chute located adjacent to their working position.  c) On or about June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; employees sorting lumber and removing waste from the conveyor feeding the Valley Edger were exposed to a fall hazard up to approximately 10 feet into an unguarded waste chute located adjacent to their working position.  d) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; employees sweeping and/or pushing dust and waste into the unguarded floor opening underneath the McDonough outfeed conveyor were exposed to a fall hazard up to approximately ten feet.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $137508.00 · Current $137508.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Each authorized employee shall receive 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 and control:   Florence Hardwoods, LLC does not ensure that each authorized employee receive 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 and control. This violation was most recently observed on June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building.    a)  On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building, a supervisor employee engaged in cleaning, clearing boards jammed in equipment, climbing on top of and/or in-between automatic and fixed machine components, and setting up the Newman Planer, was not provided training in the recognition of application hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control as an authorized employee.  b)  On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill, an employee engaged in cleaning, blade changes and blade tensioning on the McDonough Resaw was not provided training in the recognition of application hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control as an authorized employee.  c)  On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill, an employee engaged in blade changes on the Gang Saw was not provided training in the recognition of application hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control as an authorized employee.  d)  On or about July 11, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Truck Shop, an employee engaged in tire changes and brake repair/replacement on log truck and trailers was not provided training in the recognition of application hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control as an authorized employee.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-03 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $137508.00 · Current $137508.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(B): Affected employees were not instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure:    Florence Hardwoods, LLC does not ensure that each affected employee receives training in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure.  This violation was most recently observed on June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building.    a)  On or about June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building, a 16-year-old employee engaged in cleaning, clearing boards jammed in equipment and/or climbing on top of and/or in-between automatic and fixed machine components was not provided training in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure as an affected employee.  b)  On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building, a 14-year-old employee engaged in cleaning, clearing boards jammed in equipment and/or climbing on top of and/or in-between automatic and fixed machine components was not provided training in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure as an affected employee.  c) On or about June 26, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building, a 16-year-old employee engaged in cleaning, clearing boards jammed in equipment and/or climbing on top of and/or in-between automatic and fixed machine components was not provided training in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure as an affected employee.  d) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building, a 17-year-old employee engaged in cleaning, clearing boards jammed in equipment and/or climbing on top of and/or in-between automatic and fixed machine components was not provided training in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure as an affected employee.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $137508.00 · Current $137508.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) did not cover the actions listed in and was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6):  Florence Hardwoods, LLC does not ensure that all the steps outlined in 29 CFR 1910.147(d), required for the control of the hazardous energy sources, are performed. Employees do not utilize energy control procedures to secure the electrical, gravity, mechanical, and pneumatic energy sources of the Mellott Dry Chain and Tilt Hoist System. This violation was most recently observed on June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building. Employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with moving parts when they engaged in cleaning tasks, board removal and/or straightening boards on the Mellott Dry Chain & Tilt Hoist System. The employer does not ensure that employees implemented energy control application steps prior to allowing them to be physically located on energized equipment.   As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements, involving machine isolation [1910.147(d)(3)], lockout/tagout device application [1910.147(d)(4)], dissipation of residual energy [1910(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [1910.147(d)(6)] were not implemented to protect employees from machine hazards.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $137508.00 · Current $137508.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) did not cover the actions listed in and was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6):  Florence Hardwoods, LLC does not ensure that all the steps outlined in 29 CFR 1910.147(d), required for the control of the hazardous energy sources, are performed. Employees do not utilize energy control procedures to secure the electrical, gravity, mechanical, and pneumatic energy sources of the Mellott Stick Stacking System. This violation was most recently observed on June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building. Employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with moving parts when they engaged in cleaning, stick removal and/or unjamming activities on the Mellott Stick Stacking System.  The employer did not ensure that employees implemented energy control application steps prior to allowing them to stand on energized equipment and/or between potential caught-in points.   As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements, involving machine isolation [1910.147(d)(3)], lockout/tagout device application [1910.147(d)(4)], dissipation of residual energy [1910(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [1910.147(d)(6)] were not implemented to protect employees from machine hazards.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $137508.00 · Current $137508.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) did not cover the actions listed in and was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6):  Florence Hardwoods, LLC does not ensure that all the steps outlined in 29 CFR 1910.147(d), required for the control of the hazardous energy sources, are performed. Employees do not utilize energy control procedures to secure the electrical, gravity, mechanical, and pneumatic energy sources of the Newman EPR-24, Serial No. 15883 planer. This violation was most recently observed on June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building. Employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with moving parts when they engaged in board and/or wood dust/debris removal, setup and alignment activities on the Newman EPR-24 planer. The employer did not ensure that employees implemented energy control application steps prior to allowing them to be physically located on energized equipment.   As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements, involving machine isolation [1910.147(d)(3)], lockout/tagout device application [1910.147(d)(4)], dissipation of residual energy [1910(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [1910.147(d)(6)] were not implemented to protect employees from machine hazards.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $137508.00 · Current $137508.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) did not cover the actions listed in and was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6):  Florence Hardwoods, LLC does not ensure that all the steps outlined in 29 CFR 1910.147(d), required for the control of the hazardous energy sources, are performed. Employees do not utilize energy control procedures to secure the electrical, gravity, and pneumatic energy sources of the logging trucks and trailers in the truck shop. This violation was most recently identified on July 11, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Truck Shop.  Employees were exposed to struck-by and crushed-by hazards while engaged in tire changes and brake repair/replacement on log trucks and trailers.  The employer did not ensure that employees implemented energy control application steps prior to allowing them to remove tires and perform brake repair/replacement.    As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements, involving machine isolation [1910.147(d)(3)], lockout/tagout device application [1910.147(d)(4)], dissipation of residual energy [1910(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [1910.147(d)(6)] were not implemented to protect employees from machine hazards.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $137508.00 · Current $137508.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) did not cover the actions listed in and was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6):  Florence Hardwoods, LLC does not ensure that all the steps outlined in 29 CFR 1910.147(d), required for the control of the hazardous energy sources, are performed. Employees do not utilize energy control procedures to secure the hazardous energy sources of equipment while performing servicing and maintenance work in the sawmill.  This violation was most recently observed on June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill.  a)  On or about June 28, 2023, employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with moving parts when they engaged in cleaning, blade changes and/or tensioning activities on the McDonough resaw.  The employer did not ensure that employees implemented energy control application steps prior to allowing them to remove saw guards and/or covers.   b)  On or about June 28, 2023, employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with moving parts when they engaged in cleaning and blade changes on the Gang saw.  The employer did not ensure that employees implemented energy control application steps prior to allowing them to remove saw guards and/or covers.   As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements, involving machine isolation [1910.147(d)(3)], lockout/tagout device application [1910.147(d)(4)], dissipation of residual energy [1910(d)(5)(i)], and verification of isolation [1910.147(d)(6)] were not implemented to protect employees from machine hazards.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $24063.00 · Current $24063.00

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:   Florence Hardwoods, LLC does not ensure that sawmill conveyors are constructed, operated, and maintained in accordance with ANSI Standard B20.1-1957.  This violation was most recently identified on June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the sawmill.  a)  On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; unguarded chains and three sprockets at chain conveyor feeding the gang saw operator's station exposed employees to pinch point hazards.   b) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; unguarded chain and five sprockets on the chain conveyors feeding the Valley Edger operator's station exposed employees to pinch point hazards.   c) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill, in the "Hole"; the in-running pinch point hazard created by the solid conveyor belt and roller was not guarded to prevent employee exposure to this hazard on the McDonough outfeed conveyor.   d) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; unguarded chain and sprocket on the side of the C310 operator's station exposed employees to a pinch point hazard.  	 e)  On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill Basement; an unguarded outfeed screw conveyor for the Precision Shaker Table was not enclosed to prevent employee exposure to pinch point hazards.  	 f)  On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill Basement; an unguarded belt and end roller on the underside of the solid belt waste conveyor was not guarded to prevent employee exposure to an in-running nip point hazard.  	 g)  On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin on the exterior of the Sawmill; the underside of the exterior chip conveyor was not guarded to prevent caught in hazards as the conveyor paddles traversed over the stationary cross supports.  Florence Hardwoods, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 1910.265(c)(18)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1428560, citation number 1, item number 4 and was affirmed as a final order on February 10, 2020, with respect to a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin.  Florence Hardwoods, LLC was previously cited for a violation of an equivalent Occupational Safety and Health Standard 1910.219(f)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1428560, citation number 1, item number 5 and was affirmed as a final order on February 10, 2020, with respect to a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $24063.00 · Current $24063.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(26)(viii): Guarding lower landing area. The lower landing area of stackers and unstackers shall be guarded by enclosures that prevent entrance to the area or pit below the hoist platform. Entrances should be protected by electrically interlocked gates which, when open, will disconnect the power and set the hoist brakes. When the interlock is not installed, other positive means of protecting the entrance shall be provided:   Florence Hardwoods, LLC does not ensure that lower landing areas of stackers and unstackers are guarded.  This violation was most recently identified on June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill and Planer Building.  a)  On or about June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building; employees raking sticks and/or banding stick bundles were exposed to ingoing nip points, struck-by, and entanglement hazards created from the unguarded the Mellott Stick Stacking System lower landing area and unscrambler.  The equipment did not have any form of guarding to prevent access to the lower landing areas.   b)  On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building; employees entering and/or exiting the building in close proximity to the Mellott hydraulic tilt hoist were not protected from struck by and/or crushing hazards from the raising and lowering of the tilt hoist and/or lumber pack(s). The equipment did not have any form of guarding to prevent access to the lower landing areas.   c) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; employees cleaning and/or walking in close proximity to the underside of the unscrambler conveying boards from the Bin PLC to the automated sticker machine and the lower landing area of the automated sticker were exposed to struck-by, caught-in hazards, and ingoing nip points.  There was no form of machine guarding to prevent employees and operators from entering the south side of the PLC lower landing areas and below the hoist platform.   Florence Hardwoods, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 1910.265(c)(26)(viii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1428560, citation number 1, item number 7 and was affirmed as a final order on February 10, 2020, with respect to a workplace located 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $17189.00 · Current $17189.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(i): Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings shall be protected from abrasion, and openings through which conductors enter shall be effectively closed:   Florence Hardwoods, LLC does not ensure that conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings are protected from abrasion and openings are effectively closed.  This violation was most recently identified on June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill and Planer Building.  a) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building; conduit installed underneath the Mellott 5 Chain C-55 Rooftop Transfer Deck and the 5 Chain 81X Transfer Deck was broken and/or damaged at the fittings and did not protect the conductors from abrasion exposing employees to electrical hazards   b) On or about June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building; conduit entering the electrical box on the shaker conveyor motor was not protected from abrasion and was pulled away from the fitting, exposing employees to electrical hazards.   c) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; conductors entering a junction box installed at the end of the slasher saw outfeed conveyor was not effectively closed and did not protect the electrical conductors from abrasion exposing employees to electrical hazards.   d) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; conductors powering the electric motor for the 02-17 conveyor on the underside of the conveyance equipment feeding the McDonough saw, were not protected from abrasion and/or physical damage.   Florence Hardwoods, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1433682, citation number 1, item number 2a and was affirmed as a final order on February 10, 2020, with respect to a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $17189.00 · Current $17189.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): All pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings shall be provided with covers identified for the purpose. If metal covers are used, they shall be grounded. In completed installations, each outlet box shall have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy. Covers of outlet boxes having holes through which flexible cord pendants pass shall be provided with bushings designed for the purpose or shall have smooth, well-rounded surfaces on which the cords may bear.  Florence Hardwoods, LLC does not ensure that all pull boxes, and fittings are provided with covers. This violation was most recently identified on June 24, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill.  a) On or about June 20, 2023, at a workplace located at 5853 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin adjacent to the Log Deck on the exterior of the Sawmill; employees accessing the elevated work platform for maintenance and/or adjustment work were exposed to electrical hazards from the missing cover on the junction box powering the photo sensor eye.   b) On or about June 24, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin on the exterior of the Sawmill; employees accessing the dry chains on the Log Unscrambler were exposed to electrical hazards from the missing cover for the junction box powering the photo sensor eye.  Florence Hardwoods, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1428560, citation number 2, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on February 10, 2020, with respect to a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin.