OSHA Inspection: FLORENCE HARDWOODS, LLC

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5156.00 · Current $5156.00

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer shall establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided in this paragraph by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.  a) On or about July 25, 2023, at the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; the employer failed to make available and perform audiometric testing for a Laborer employee performing general labor with exposure that exceeded 85 decibels on an A-weighted scale (dBA). On this date, a Laborer employee working in the Sawmill and the Planer Building was exposed to a noise dose of 125.7% of the permissible daily dose as measured during a 432-minute sampling period. The 125.7% dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 91.6 dBA period sampled. Zero exposure is assumed for 48 minutes unmonitored.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6875.00 · Current $6875.00

Hazardous substances 9135I200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(a)(2): A respirator shall be provided to each employee when such equipment is necessary to protect the health of such employee. The employer shall provide the respirators which are applicable and suitable for the purpose intended. The employer shall be responsible for the establishment and maintenance of a respiratory protection program, which shall include the requirements outlined in paragraph (c) of this section. The program shall cover each employee required by this section to use a respirator.  a) ) On or about July 25, 2023, at the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; the employer did not provide and require the use of respiratory protection for  a Saw Filer overexposed to iron dust generated during daily  operations On this date, the Saw Filer was exposed to 34.9 milligrams per cubic meter of iron dust, approximately 2.32 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 15 milligrams per cubic meter without the use of respiratory protection. Due to this condition, the employee had exposure to the inhalation hazards associated with the iron dust which includes increased risk for pneumoconiosis.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-03-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9135I200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1000(a)(2): An employee's exposure to any substance in Table Z-1, the exposure limit of which is not preceded by a "C", shall not exceed the 8-hour Time Weighted Average given for that substance any 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour work week.  a) On or about July 25, 2023, at the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; an employee was exposed to airborne iron dust that exceeded the permissible exposure limit (PEL) while performing routine Saw Filer duties that included sharpening bandsaw blades. The employee was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 34.9 milligrams per cubic meter of iron dust, approximately 2.32 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 15 milligrams per cubic meter for the total dust fraction of particulate not otherwise regulated (PNOR) listed in Table Z-1. Zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 51 minutes. Inhalation hazards associated with elevated exposures to iron dust include increased risk for pneumoconiosis.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-03-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9135I200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1000(e): To achieve compliance with paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, administrative or engineering controls must first be determined and implemented whenever feasible. When such controls are not feasible to achieve full compliance, protective equipment or any other protective measures shall be used to keep the exposure of employees to air contaminants within the limits prescribed in this section. Any equipment and/or technical measures used for this purpose must be approved for each particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified person. Whenever respirators are used, their use shall comply with 1910.134.  a) On or about July 25, 2023, at the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; the employer did not determine and implement feasible administrative or engineering controls to achieve compliance with paragraph (a) of this section. On this date, an employee was exposed to airborne iron dust that exceeded the permissible exposure limit (PEL) while performing routine Saw Filer duties that included sharpening bandsaw blades. The employee was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 34.9 milligrams per cubic meter of iron dust, approximately 2.32 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 15 milligrams per cubic meter for the total dust fraction of particulate not otherwise regulated (PNOR) listed in Table Z-1. Zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 51 minutes. Inhalation hazards associated with elevated exposures to iron dust include increased risk for pneumoconiosis.  Applicable engineering or administrative controls may include, but are not limited to the following:  Step 1: Effective respiratory protection shall be provided and used by exposed employees as an interim protective measure until feasible engineering and/or administrative dust controls can be implemented or whenever such controls fail to reduce employee exposure to within permissible exposure limits. For selection of appropriate respiratory protection equipment, actual time weighted averages for employee exposure must be used to determine maximum use concentrations.   Step 1 abatement due January 18, 2024.  Step 2: Submit to the Area Director a written, detailed plan of abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measures to control employee exposure to hazardous substances as referenced in this citation. This plan shall include, at the minimum, target dates for the following actions which must be consistent with the abatement dates required by this citation:  1. Evaluation and listing of engineering/administrative dust control options. Ensure the following are considered in your control options evaluation:  analysis of existing emission sources, the worker proximity to the dust emission source(s) and the job task or tasks being performed;  2. Selection criteria for control method(s), selection of the optimum control methods and completion of design; 3. Procurement, installation and operation of selected control measures; 4. Testing and acceptance or modification/redesign of controls.  All proposed control measures shall be approved for each particular use by a competent industrial hygienist, certified industrial ventilation specialist experienced in complex processes or other technically qualified person. Identify the person and qualifications in the report of plan to the Area Director.  Step 2 abatement due February 18, 2024.  Step 3: Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance. Submission to the Area Director of personal employee exposure air monitoring is required for documenting engineering control effectiveness.  Feasible administrative and/or engineering controls could include, but is not limited to, the following: 1. Equip processes with local exhaust ventilation such as, but not limited to, downdraft collection tables, hooded work positions for anticipated job functions and slotted hoods at emission points. 2. Consider utilization of tool integrated dust capture at the point of dust generation as part of a coordinated solution with local exhaust ventilation to increase ventilation system effectiveness.  3. Place emphasis on the design phase in attempting to create a solution that is fixed in place in lieu of portable in nature. The use of fixed placement versus portable systems is one method to assure the capture ventilation is positioned in the designed placement for maximum effectiveness. 4. Consider the use of increased general dilution air (otherwise known as make-up air), during capture ventilation system design, to increase exhaust ventilation system dust capture. Introduction of targeted make-up air systems such as air islands, increasing flow into existing ventilation systems providing air into the work area and relocation of existing general dilution air ductwork are examples of dilution ventilation system improvements to increase dust capture system efficiency. 5. Consider and develop work practices for reducing emissions of particulate matter into the breathing zone through body and tool positioning.  Step 3 abatement due March 18, 2024.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6875.00 · Current $6875.00

Hazardous substances 084209202260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(1)(i): The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment.  a) On or about and at times prior to July 25, 2023, at the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive; the employer did not select and require the use of personal protective equipment that would protect each employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment, such as but not limited to appropriate hand protection, exposing employees to skin irritation and chemical burn hazards from direct contact with hazardous chemicals and skin absorption hazards which include impact on target organ systems of the kidneys and gastrointestinal systems during handling of hazardous chemicals or puncture hazards without protection during on-going daily manual handling of wood boards.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 084209202260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.138(a): Employers shall select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.  a) On or about and at times prior to July 25, 2023, at the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; in the Boiler Room; the employer did not require and ensure maintenance employees used appropriate hand protection, such as chemical resistant gloves, when handling and using boiler treatment chemicals, such as but not limited to Formula 48 and Formula LC5. Formula 48 contains diethylaminoethanol, which is corrosive and has the skin designation found in 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1 for chemicals absorbable through skin. Formula LC5 contains the hazardous ingredient sodium hydroxide and is corrosive to the skin. Due to this condition, maintenance employees were exposed to skin irritation and chemical burn hazards from direct contact with hazardous chemicals and skin absorption hazards which include impact on target organ systems of the kidneys and gastrointestinal systems.   b) On or about and at times prior to July 25, 2023, at the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; in the Planer Building; the employer did not require and assure the use of hand protection for employees, such as the Planer Building supervisor, performing routine duties that involved handling wood boards. Due to this condition, employees have exposure to puncture hazards without protection during on-going daily manual handling of wood boards.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5156.00 · Current $5156.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(e)(5): The employer shall assure that alternate equivalent protection is provided when portable fire extinguishers are removed from service for maintenance and recharging.  a) On or about and at times prior to July 25, 2023, at the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; in the Circular Saw Sharpening Room, the employer did not ensure that when a fire extinguisher was removed from service after extinguishing a fire and not replaced, that alternate equivalent protection was provided, exposing an employee to fire hazards.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6875.00 · Current $6875.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(a)(2)(i): Wherever there are floor openings or cracks in the flooring that cannot be closed, precautions shall be taken so that no readily combustible materials on the floor below will be exposed to sparks which might drop through the floor. The same precautions shall be observed with regard to cracks or holes in walls, open doorways and open or broken windows.  a) On or about July 10, 2023 and July 11, 2023, at the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; at the Swecan Saw Outfeed, the employer did not prevent sparks from welding work from falling through a metal grating floor surface, thereby exposing employees to fire hazards from combustible wood dust and/or shavings.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(a)(2)(v): Where combustible materials such as paper clippings, wood shavings, or textile fibers are on the floor, the floor shall be swept clean for a radius of 35 feet (10.7 m). Combustible floors shall be kept wet, covered with damp sand, or protected by fire-resistant shields. Where floors have been wet down, personnel operating arc welding or cutting equipment shall be protected from possible shock.  a) On or about July 10, 2023 and July 11, 2023, at the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; at the Swecan Outfeed, the employer did not ensure that combustible materials on the floor, such as but not limited to wood dust and/or wood shavings, was swept clean for a radius of 35 feet (10.7m) prior to welding work being performed, exposing employees to fire hazards. A pile of wood dust and/or wood shavings was located less than 10 feet from welding work.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(a)(2)(vii): Where practicable, all combustibles shall be relocated at least 35 feet (10.7 m) from the work site. Where relocation is impracticable, combustibles shall be protected with flameproofed covers or otherwise shielded with metal or asbestos guards or curtains.  a) On or about July 10, 2023 and July 11, 2023, at the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; at the Swecan Outfeed, the employer did not ensure that all combustibles, such as but not limited to cardboard, was relocated at 35 feet (10.7m) away from the welding work or protected with flameproofed covers or otherwise shielded with metal or curtains, exposing employees to fire hazards. A stack of cardboard was located less than 12 feet away from the welding work.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6875.00 · Current $6875.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(3)(ii): Employees were not trained on the physical, health, simple asphyxiation, combustible dust, and pyrophoric gas hazards, as well as hazards not otherwise classified, of the chemicals in the work area.  a) On or about and at times prior to July 25, 2023, at the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; the employer did not ensure that employees working with hazardous chemicals in the workplace, such as but not limited to Brake & Metal Parts Cleaner #74HV-A, Purus Heavy Duty Extended Life 50/50 Prediluted Antifreeze/Coolant, Safety-Kleen Premium Solvent, and used oil, were provided with information and training on the hazardous chemicals and their hazards.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $17189.00 · Current $17189.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.253(b)(4)(iii): Oxygen cylinders in storage shall be separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour.  At the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; the employer did not ensure that Oxygen cylinders in storage were separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials by a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour, exposing employees to fire and/or explosion hazards in the following instances:  a) On or about and at times prior to July 11, 2023,  in the Truck Stop, combustible materials, such as but not limited to full acetylene cylinders, were stored approximately 18 feet and 1 inch away from full oxygen cylinders without a noncombustible barrier.  b) On or about and at times prior to July 25, 2023, in the Basement, combustible materials, such as but not limited to full drums of oil (Hydraulic Oil All-Season and AGMA EP-4  ISO 150 Gear Oil), were stored approximately 2 feet and 10 inches away from full oxygen cylinders without a noncombustible barrier.  Florence Hardwoods, LLC was previously cited for a serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.253(b)(4)(iii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1431640, citation number 1, 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, WI 54121.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $13751.00 · Current $13751.00

Hazardous substances 084209202260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(f)(6)(ii): Except as provided in paragraphs (f)(7) and (f)(8) of 29 CFR 1910.1200, the employer shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with 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, will provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical.  At the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; the employer did not ensure that each workplace (in-house) container of hazardous chemicals was labeled, tagged or marked with product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals, exposing employees to the hazards associated with hazardous chemicals in the following instances:   a) On or about and at times prior to July 11, 2023, in the Boiler Room, the employer did not ensure that one workplace (in-house) containers containing boiler treatment chemicals, such as but not limited to FORMULA 48, FORMULA 1100, FORMULA LC5, and FORMULA SS-CAT,  was appropriately labeled, tagged or marked with the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof.  b) On or about and at times prior to July 5, 2023, at the top of the stairs leading to the basement of the Sawmill, the employer did not ensure that one container (55-gallon drum) containing Automotive Diesel Fuel was appropriately labeled, tagged or marked with the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof. The container had no labeling. Diesel fuel is a combustible liquid that can cause skin irritation.  Florence Hardwoods, LLC was previously cited for a serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1431640, citation number 1, item number 2, and was affirmed as a final order on February 10, 2020, with respect to a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, WI 54121.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(d)(2)(i): Only approved containers and portable tanks shall be used. Metal containers and portable tanks meeting the requirements of and containing products authorized by chapter I, title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (regulations issued by the Hazardous Materials Regulations Board, Department of Transportation), shall be deemed to be acceptable.  On or about and at times prior to July 25, 2023, at the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; in the Sawmill, containers containing diesel fuel (Flammable liquid category 4) used for lubrication of the saws were not in an approved metal container authorized by chapter 1, title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, exposing employees to fire hazards in the following instances:  a) By the Swecan Saw, two unapproved plastic containers contained automotive diesel fuel (Flammable liquid category 4). b) By the McDonough Saw, one unapproved metal container and one unapproved plastic container contained automotive diesel fuel (Flammable liquid category 4).

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(c)(1): The employer shall provide portable fire extinguishers and shall mount, locate and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.  a) On or about and at times prior to July 25, 2023, at the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; in the Gang Saw area, the employer did not ensure that each fire extinguisher was mounted so that they were readily accessible to employees, such as but not limited to a 5 lb multi-purpose dry chemical fire extinguisher (Amerex) located on a stand near the Gang Saw, exposing an employee to fire hazards.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(e)(3): The employer shall assure that portable fire extinguishers are subjected to an annual maintenance check. Stored pressure extinguishers do not require an internal examination. The employer shall record the annual maintenance date and retain this record for one year after the last entry or the life of the shell, whichever is less. The record shall be available to the Assistant Secretary upon request.  a) On or about and at times prior to July 11, 2023, at the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; the employer did not ensure that a 5 lb multi-purpose dry chemical fire extinguisher (Amerex) available for use located on a stand near the Gang Saw, was subjected to an annual maintenance check, exposing employees to fire hazards. The fire extinguisher tag indicated that it was last inspected March 2021.  b) On or about and at times prior to July 25, 2023, at the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; the employer did not ensure that a 5 lb multi-purpose dry chemical fire extinguisher (Amerex A400) available for use located at the bottom of the stairs leading to the basement of the Sawmill, was subjected to an annual maintenance check, exposing employees to fire hazards. The fire extinguisher tag indicated that it was last inspected March 2021.

Issued

2023-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-01-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.265(c)(20)(ii): All mills containing one or more machines that create dust, shavings, chips, or slivers during a period of time equal to or greater than one-fourth of the working day, shall be equipped with a collecting system. It may be either continuous or automatic, and shall be of sufficient strength and capacity to enable it to remove such refuse from points of operation and immediate vicinities of machines and work areas.  a) On or about and at times prior to July 25, 2023, at the workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin; in the Sawmill, the employer did not ensure that machines, such as but not limited to the McDonough Saw and Gang Saw, were equipped with a collecting system to remove dust, shaving, chips, and/or slivers, from points of operation and surrounding work areas. Due to this condition, employees were exposed to respiratory, slip, and fire hazards.