OSHA Inspection: WD FLOORING LLC

Issued

May 16, 2025

Abate by

Jun 16, 2025

Penalty

Initial $1,023 · Current $1,023

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1):  Within 10 calendar days after the abatement date, the employer must certify to OSHA (the Agency) that each cited violation has been abated, except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.  The employer has not certified to OSHA that the hazardous conditions identified in Citations 1-1, 1-2, 1-5-a, 2-1-a, 2-1-b, 2-3 of this inspection have been corrected including the methods taken to correct the hazardous conditions.

Issued

May 16, 2025

Abate by

Jun 16, 2025

Penalty

Initial $1,023 · Current $1,023

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1):  The employer must submit to the Agency, along with the information on abatement certification required by paragraph (c)(3) of this section, documents demonstrating that abatement is complete for each willful or repeat violation and for any serious violation for which the Agency indicates in the citation that such abatement documentation is required.  The employer has not certified to OSHA, and provided documentation, that the hazardous conditions identified in Citations 1-4-a, 1-4-b, 1-4-c of this inspection have been corrected including the methods taken to correct the hazardous conditions.

Issued

Feb 28, 2024

Abate by

Apr 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $12,421 · Current $9,000 Reduced

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, 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(A), (c)(4)(ii)(B), (c)(4)(ii)(C), and (c)(4)(ii)(D).  At an establishment located at 4852 Elm Street in Laona, Wisconsin;  (a)  On or about September 13, 2023, employees were required to perform setup, maintenance, and servicing tasks on the Burkle Stain Coater, Burkle Oil Coater, and Burkle Top Coater, the procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules and techniques and the procedure did not address the pneumatic, hydraulic, and gravitational energy sources and location to de-energize, steps to verify de-energization, and the means to enforce compliance.  (b)  During the week of October 23, 2023, employees were required to perform setup, maintenance, and servicing tasks on the Costa Belt Sander, the procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules and techniques and the procedure did not address the pneumatic energy source and location to de-energize, steps to verify de-energization, and the means to enforce compliance.

Issued

Feb 28, 2024

Abate by

Apr 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $12,421 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(iii)(A):  Retraining shall be provided for all authorized and affected employees whenever there is a change in their job assignments, a change in machines, equipment or processes that present a new hazard, or when there is a change in the energy control procedures.  On or about September 13, 2023, at an establishment located at 4852 Elm Street in Laona, Wisconsin; the employer did not provide retraining to employees on the control of hazardous energy when they were assigned to equipment or machines such as but not limited to the Costa wide belt sander and Burkle coaters.

Issued

Feb 28, 2024

Abate by

Mar 27, 2024

Penalty

Initial $7,098 · Current $7,098

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(p)(1):  If at any time a powered industrial truck is found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe, the truck shall be taken out of service until it has been restored to safe operating condition.  On or about September 5, 2023, at an establishment located at 4852 Elm Street in Laona, Wisconsin; employees were exposed to hazards related to powered industrial vehicle operation while utilizing a Clark propane forklift, Model:  GCX30, which was missing chunks of rubber and had cracks in the rubber to the rim on the front left and both back steering tires.

Issued

Feb 28, 2024

Abate by

Apr 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(c)(1): Each circular hand-fed ripsaw shall be guarded by a hood which shall completely enclose that portion of the saw above the table and that portion of the saw above the material being cut. The hood and mounting shall be arranged so that the hood will automatically adjust itself to the thickness of and remain in contact with the material being cut but it shall not offer any considerable resistance to insertion of material to saw or to passage of the material being sawed. The hood shall be made of adequate strength to resist blows and strains incidental to reasonable operation, adjusting, and handling, and shall be so designed as to protect the operator from flying splinters and broken saw teeth. It shall be made of material that is soft enough so that it will be unlikely to cause tooth breakage. The hood shall be so mounted as to ensure that its operation will be positive, reliable, and in true alignment with the saw; and the mounting shall be adequate in strength to resist any reasonable side thrust or other force tending to throw it out of line.  On or about September 12, 2023, at an establishment located at 4852 Elm Street in Laona, Wisconsin; the Delta Unisaw 10" Tilting Arbor Saw, Serial Number 98189310, used to cut boards did not have a guard to completely enclose the portion of the saw above the table exposing employees to a rotating blade hazard.

Issued

Feb 28, 2024

Abate by

Apr 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(c)(2): Each hand-fed circular ripsaw shall be furnished with a spreader to prevent material from squeezing the saw or being thrown back on the operator. The spreader shall be made of hard tempered steel, or its equivalent, and shall be thinner than the saw kerf. It shall be of sufficient width to provide adequate stiffness or rigidity to resist any reasonable side thrust or blow tending to bend or throw it out of position. The spreader shall be attached so that it will remain in true alignment with the saw even when either the saw or table is tilted. The provision of a spreader in connection with grooving, dadoing, or rabbeting is not required. On the completion of such operations, the spreader shall be immediately replaced.   On or about September 12, 2023, at an establishment located at 4852 Elm Street in Laona, Wisconsin; the Delta Unisaw 10" Tilting Arbor Saw, Serial Number 98189310, used to cut boards was not equipped with a spreader bar to prevent binding and/or kickback of sheet material and exposed an employee to the rotating blade hazard.

Issued

Feb 28, 2024

Abate by

Apr 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(c)(3): Each hand-fed circular ripsaw shall be provided with nonkickback fingers or dogs so located as to oppose the thrust or tendency of the saw to pick up the material or to throw it back toward the operator. They shall be designed to provide adequate holding power for all the thicknesses of materials being cut.   On or about September 12, 2023, at an establishment located at 4852 Elm Street in Laona, Wisconsin; the Delta Unisaw 10" Tilting Arbor Saw, Serial Number 98189310, saw blade housing was not equipped with nonkickback fingers to prevent kickback of sheet material and exposed an employee to the rotating blade hazard.

Issued

Feb 28, 2024

Abate by

Apr 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $7,098 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(2)(i): All exposed parts of horizontal shafting seven (7) feet or less from floor or working platform, excepting runways used exclusively for oiling, or running adjustments, shall be protected by a stationary casing enclosing shafting completely or by a trough enclosing sides and top or sides and bottom of shafting as location requires.   On or about September 5, 2023, at an establishment located at 4852 Elm Street in Laona, Wisconsin; the Burkle Pressen Oberflachentechnik Model:  SAL 1300, Maschiene Nr. 7287, Oil Coater, had an unguarded horizontal rotating shaft from the brush to the end of the shaft exposing employees to entanglement hazards while placing soiled rags in the used bin, obtaining new rags, and walking down the line to observe the quality of the product.

Issued

Feb 28, 2024

Penalty

Initial $5,323 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(ii): Unused keyways shall be filled up or covered.  On or about September 5, 2023, at an establishment located at 4852 Elm Street in Laona, Wisconsin; at the Dust Collector located outside, a shaft with keyway was not filled in. Employees were exposed to the rotating shaft ends while checking the level of wood dust in the 55-gallon drum exposing employees to entanglement hazards.

Issued

Feb 28, 2024

Abate by

Apr 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3):  Sprockets and chains. All sprocket wheels and chains shall be enclosed unless they are more than seven (7) feet above the floor or platform. Where the drive extends over other machine or working areas, protection against falling shall be provided. This subparagraph does not apply to manually operated sprockets.  At an establishment located at 4852 Elm Street in Laona, Wisconsin;   (a)  On or about September 5, 2023, the Burkle Pressen Oberflachentechnik, Model:  SAL 1300, Maschiene Nr. 7285, Stain Coater, had an unguarded chain and sprocket, approximately 30 inches above the ground, exposing employees to caught in between hazards.  (b)  On or about September 5, 2023, the Burkle Pressen Oberflachentechnik, Model:  SAL 1300, Maschiene Nr. 7287, Oil Coater, had an unguarded chain and sprocket, approximately 30 inches above the ground, exposing employees to caught in between hazards.  (c)  On or about September 5, 2023, the dust collector located outside had an unguarded chain and sprocket, approximately 74 inches above the ground, exposing employees to caught in between hazards while checking the level of saw dust in the 55-gallon container directly below.

Issued

Feb 28, 2024

Abate by

Mar 27, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,873 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(6):  Deteriorating agents. Unless identified for use in the operating environment, no conductors or equipment shall be located in damp or wet locations; where exposed to gases, fumes, vapors, liquids, or other agents that have a deteriorating effect on the conductors or equipment; or where exposed to excessive temperatures.  During the week of October 23, 2023, at an establishment located at 4852 Elm Street in Laona, Wisconsin; the Siemens electrical service, located by the lift table and Costa wide belt sander, was exposed to water infiltration from a leaking roof.  This exposed employees to an electrical shock hazard.

Issued

Feb 28, 2024

Abate by

Apr 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $24,842 · Current $20,000 Reduced

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.  At an establishment located at 4852 Elm Street in Laona, Wisconsin; employees performing activities under the control of hazardous energy did not have a periodic inspection conducted at least annually to ensure the steps in the energy control procedure such as but not limited to Burkle Coating machines and Costa Wide Belt Sander are being followed and the employees involved knew their responsibilities under the procedure exposing employees to the unexpected energization of the machine.  The WD Flooring LLC was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1526115, citation number 1, item number 2a and was affirmed as a final order on August 18, 2021, with respect to a workplace located at 5215 Mill Road in Laona, Wisconsin.

Issued

Feb 28, 2024

Abate by

Apr 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $24,842 · Current $0 Reduced

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).  At an establishment located at 4852 Elm Street in Laona, Wisconsin;  (a)  On or about September 13, 2023, employees was exposed to machine hazards associated with moving parts when they engaged in belt adjustment activities on the Burkle Stain Coater.  The employer did not ensure that employees implemented energy control application steps prior to allowing them to adjust the belt. The machine was not deenergized prior to the employee engaging in the servicing / maintenance activity.  (b)  During the week of October 23, 2023, employees were exposed to machine hazards associated with moving parts when they engaged in changing the belt on the Costa Belt Sander.  The employer did not ensure that employees implemented energy control application steps prior to allowing them to change the sanding belts.  The machine was not deenergized prior to the employee engaging in the servicing / maintenance activity.   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.   The WD Flooring LLC was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard 29 CFR 1910.147(d), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1526115, citation number 1, item number 2b and was affirmed as a final order on August 18, 2021, with respect to a workplace located at 5215 Mill Road in Laona, Wisconsin.

Issued

Feb 28, 2024

Abate by

Apr 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $17,747 · Current $8,773 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1):  Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks. Examples of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc.  At an establishment located at 4852 Elm Street in Laona, Wisconsin;  (a)  On or about September 5, 2023, the Burkle Pressen Oberflachentechnik Model:  SAL 1300, Maschiene Nr. 7287, Oil Coater had an unguarded rotating brush exposing employees to entanglement hazards.  (b) On or about September 5, 2023, the Burkle Pressen Oberflachentechnik Model:  SAL 1300, Maschiene Nr. 7287, Oil Coater had an unguarded inrunning nip point on the outfeed side of the rotating brush as the belt returned around the roller exposing employees to caught in hazards.  (c)  On or about September 5, 2023, the Burkle Pressen Oberflachentechnik Model:  SAL 1300, Maschiene Nr. 7285, Stain Coater had an unguarded in running nip point on the outfeed side of the rotating brush as the belt returned around the roller exposing employees to pinch point hazards.  The WD Flooring LLC was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1526115, citation number 1, item number 5 and was affirmed as a final order on August 18, 2021, with respect to a workplace located at 5215 Mill Road in Laona, Wisconsin.