OSHA Inspection: NORTHEAST PALLET RECYCLING, LLC.

Issued

Jun 3, 2024

Abate by

Dec 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,452 · Current $5,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200

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 fire, flash fire, deflagration, or explosion associated with combustible dust.  (a)Miter saw area:  Employees were exposed to fire, deflagration and explosion hazards due to the improper design of the dust collection system for the Miter saw.  The  system did not capture all of the dust creating a buildup of dust on the walls, equipment and floor.  The corrugated 5 inch ducts collecting combustible dust from the miter saw and  venting the dust to the wooden collection box located outside were non-conductive, on or about 2/5/24.  (b) Miter saw area: Employees were exposed to fire, deflagration and explosion hazards when using compressed air to clean wood dust on and around the Miter saw.    NOTE: IN ADDITION TO ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION, THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS ITEM. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1000.00 IN ACCORDANCE WITH 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Jun 3, 2024

Abate by

Dec 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,452 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.22(a)(1):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.  a) Miter saw area: An accumulation of combustible dust exceeding 1/32 inches was observed on the walls and machine surfaces around the Miter saw, exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards, on or about 2/5/24.  NOTE: IN ADDITION TO ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION, THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS ITEM. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1000.00 IN ACCORDANCE WITH 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Jun 3, 2024

Abate by

Dec 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances E200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): The employer did not ensure that the  floor of each workroom was maintained in a clean and, to the extent feasible, in a dry condition:  a)Miter saw area: An accumulation of combustible dust measuring approximately .5 inches was observed on the floor, in the production area around the Miter saw, exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards, on or about 2/21/24.  NOTE: THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION FOR THIS ITEM. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1000.00 IN ACCORDANCE WITH 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Jun 3, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,452 · Current $5,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

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:  The employer did not conduct noise monitoring for assemblers and disassemblers exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the allowable 8-hour time weighted average sound level.   a)Pallet assembly area: A pallet assembler's dosimeter reading was 196.2 % of the permissible exposure limit (90dBa) and was equivalent to approximately 94.9 dBa, The sampling was performed for 393 minutes during one shift on 3/21/24 Zero exposure was assumed for the un-sampled period of time.   b)Pallet disassembly area: A pallet dismantler's dosimeter reading was 723.4% of the permissible exposure limit (90dBa) and was equivalent to approximately 104.3 dBa. The sampling was performed for 396 minutes during one shift on 3/21/24 Zero exposure was assumed for the un-sampled period of time.  c) Pallet assembly area: A pallet assemblers dosimeter reading was 76.7% of the action level (85 dBa) and was equivalent to approximately 88.1 dBa. The sampling was performed for 119 minutes during one shift on 3/21/24 exposure was assumed zero for the un-sampled period of time. The dosimeter was not turned on for the start of the shift, the dosimeter was turned on after employees lunch break.

Issued

Jun 3, 2024

Abate by

Dec 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,452 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(g)(5)(i):The employer did not establish, within 6 months of an employee's first exposure at or above the action level, a valid baseline audiogram against which subsequent audiograms can be compared:  The employer did not ensure that employee's with the following exposures received a baseline audiogram:  a) Pallet assembly area: A pallet assembler's dosimeter reading was 196.2 % of the permissible exposure limit  (90dBa) and was equivalent to approximately 94.9 dBa, The sampling was performed for 393 minutes during one shift on 3/21/24. Zero exposure was assumed for the un-sampled period of time.   b) Pallet disassembly area: A pallet dismantler's dosimeter reading was 723.4% of the permissible exposure limit  (90dBa) and was equivalent to approximately 104.3dBa. The sampling was performed for 396 minutes during one shift on 3/21/24. Zero exposure was assumed for the un-sampled period of time.  c) Pallet assembly area: A pallet assemblers dosimeter reading was 76.7% of the action level (85 dBa) and was equivalent to approximately 88.1 dBa. The sampling was performed for 119 minutes during one shift on 3/21/24 exposure was assumed zero for the un-sampled period of time. The dosimeter was not turned on for the start of the shift, the dosimeter was turned on after employees lunch break.  NOTE: THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS ITEM. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1000.00 IN ACCORDANCE WITH 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Jun 3, 2024

Abate by

Dec 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,452 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(k)(1):The employer did not train each employee who was 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:  The employer did not provide training on noise for the employees with the following exposures:  a)Pallet assembly area: A pallet assembler's dosimeter reading was 196.2 % of the permissible exposure limit (90dBa) and was equivalent to approximately 94.9 dBa, The sampling was performed for 393 minutes during one shift on 3/21/24 Zero exposure was assumed for the un-sampled period of time.   b)Pallet disassembly area: A dismantler's dosimeter reading was 723.4% of the permissible exposure limit (90dBa) and was equivalent to approximately 104.3dBa. The sampling was performed for 396 minutes during one shift on 3/21/24 Zero exposure was assumed for the un-sampled period of time.  c) Pallet assembly area: A pallet assemblers dosimeter reading was 76.7% of the action level (85 dBa) and was equivalent to approximately 88.1 dBa. The sampling was performed for 119 minutes during one shift on 3/21/24 exposure was assumed zero for the un-sampled period of time. The dosimeter was not turned on for the start of the shift, the dosimeter was turned on after employees lunch break.  NOTE: IN ADDITION TO ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION, THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS ITEM. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1000.00 IN ACCORDANCE WITH 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Jun 3, 2024

Abate by

Dec 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,610 · Current $5,000

Hazardous substances E200

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 described how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) would be met:  (a)Production Area and yard - A written hazard communication program was not developed.  Employees use hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to,  propane and were exposed to combustible dust from the cutting of wood, on or about 2/5/24.  NOTE: THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION FOR THIS ITEM, FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1000.00 AS PER 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Jun 3, 2024

Abate by

Dec 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,610 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200

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:  a) Production area and yard- Employees were not trained in the hazards of the chemicals they used including, but not limited to propane or the hazardous properties of combustible wood dust generated from the use of the Miter saw,  on or about 2/5/24.  NOTE: THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION FOR THIS ITEM. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1000.00 IN ACCORDANCE WITH 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Jun 3, 2024

Abate by

Dec 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2150

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(g)(8):  The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required safety data sheets  for each hazardous chemical.  a) Production area and yard - Safety data sheets were not maintained for chemical products such as, but not limited to propane on or about 1/30/24.  NOTE: THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION FOR THIS ITEM, FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1000.00 AS PER 29 CFR 1903.19.