OSHA Inspection: REO PROCESSING GEORGIA, INC.

Issued

Aug 23, 2024

Abate by

Sep 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,067 · Current $4,840 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i):  Except as provided elsewhere in this section 29 CFR 1910.28, the employer did not 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 systems described in 29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i):  a.  Mezzanine; Building 675:  On or about March 04, 2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to falls of approximately 9 feet 2 inches in that effective fall protection was not provided to employees while adding product to feed hoppers for packaging lines.

Issued

Aug 23, 2024

Abate by

Sep 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,839 · Current $2,903 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:  a.  Building 675; Line 2:  On or about March 4, 2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to chemical burn hazards, in that the employer did not provide and maintain emergency means for flushing the eyes and body where employees package corrosive chemicals including, but not limited to, "AXIALL, LLC" calcium hypochlorite granular and "Inovative Water Care, LLC" (Sigura) calcium hypochlorite granular.  b.  Building 655; Line 10:  On or about March 4, 2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to chemical burn hazards, in that the employer did not provide and maintain emergency means for flushing the eyes and body where employees package corrosive chemicals including, but not limited to, "King Technology, Inc." Frog Maintain potassium peroxymonosulfate compound.  c.  Building 655; Brominating Tablet Packaging Station:  On or about March 4, 2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to chemical burn hazards, in that the employer did not provide and maintain emergency means for flushing the eyes and body where employees package corrosive chemicals including, but not limited to, "Arxada" Datobrom S and "Lonza America, Inc." Dantobrom S.

Issued

Aug 23, 2024

Abate by

Sep 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,839 · Current $2,903 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(d)(1):  Portable fire extinguishers were not selected and distributed based on the classes of anticipated workplace fires and on the size and degree of hazard that would affect their use:  a.  Building 675:  On or about March 04, 2024 and at times prior, employees were exposed to fire hazards, in that the employer did not distribute appropriate fire extinguishers throughout the warehouse where  employees received, store, repackage and ship chemicals including, but not limited to, "AXIALL, LLC" Calcium Hypochlorite Granular, "Innovative Water Care, LLC" (Sigura) Calcium Hypochlorite Granular and "Bio-Lab, Inc." Proguard Calcium Hypochlorite Granular. The employer had dry chemical fire extinguishers mounted where water fire extinguishers were required to be used.

Issued

Aug 23, 2024

Abate by

Sep 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,839 · Current $2,903 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(g)(2): An educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting was not provided to all employees upon initial employment, and at least annually thereafter:  a.  Building 675:  On or about March 04, 2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to fire hazards, in that an effective education program was not developed and implemented to inform employees of the hazards of incipient stage fire fighting and the general principles of fire extinguisher use where employees perform assigned duties associated with the warehouse, packaging and distribution of chemicals including "Axiall, LLC" calcium hypochlorite and "SIGURA" calcium hypochlorite.  b.  Building 655:  On or about March 04, 2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to fire hazards, in that an effective education program was not developed and implemented to inform employees of the hazards of incipient stage fire fighting and the general principles of fire extinguisher use where employees perform assigned duties associated with the warehouse, packaging and distribution of chemicals including "King Technology, Inc." Frog Maintain potassium peroxymonosulfate compound, "Axiall, LLC" calcium hypochlorite and "Arxada" Dantobrom S.

Issued

Aug 23, 2024

Abate by

Sep 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,067 · Current $4,840 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each operator had successfully completed the training consisting of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.  a.  Building 655:  On or about March 04, 2024, and at times prior, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards, in that required forklift operator training did not incorporate a combination of formal instruction, practical training and practical exercises provided to employees operating forklifts including "Toyota" model 8FGCU25 forklift (serial number 63396),  "Toyota" model 8FGCU25 forklift (serial number 76391) and "Toyota" model 8FGCU25 forklift (serial number 61645) for material handling tasks.  b.  Building 675:  On or about March 04, 2024, and at times prior, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards, in that required forklift operator training did not incorporate a combination of formal instruction, practical training and practical exercises provided to employees operating forklifts including "Toyota" model 8FGCU25 forklift (serial number 63396),  "Toyota" model 8FGCU25 forklift (serial number 76391) and "Toyota" model 8FGCU25 forklift (serial number 61645) for material handling tasks.

Issued

Aug 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,839 · Current $2,903 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(i):  Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings were not effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment.  a. Building 675; Line 2:  On or about March 04, 2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical shock hazards, in that an unused opening was not closed on the bottom of the control panel for the "General Packaging Equipment Company" packaging machine operating at 240 volts where employees were packaging calcium hypochlorite.  b. Building 675; Line 2:  On or about March 04, 2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical shock hazards, in that an unused opening was not closed on an electrical box mounted to the frame of the "Automated Conveyor Systems, Inc." belt conveyor operating at 120 volts where employees were packaging calcium hypochlorite.  c. Building 655; Line 10:  On or about March 07, 2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical shock hazards, in that an unused opening was not closed on the bottom of the control panel for the "General Packaging Equipment Company" packaging machine operating at 240 volts where employees were packaging "King Technology, Inc." Frog Maintain potassium peroxymonosulfate compound.  d. Building 655; Line 10:  On or about March 07, 2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical shock hazards, in that an unused opening was not closed on the side of the "Cutler-Hammer" electrical box mounted to the back of the "General Packaging Equipment Company" packaging machine operating at 240 volts where employees were packaging "King Technology, Inc." Frog Maintain potassium peroxymonosulfate compound.  e. Building 655; Line 10:  On or about March 07, 2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical shock hazards, in that an unused opening was not closed on the bottom of the "Cutler-Hammer" electrical box mounted to the back of the "General Packaging Equipment Company" packaging machine operating at 240 volts where employees were packaging "King Technology, Inc." Frog Maintain potassium peroxymonosulfate compound.

Issued

Aug 23, 2024

Abate by

Sep 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,839 · Current $2,903 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(i):  Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not protected from abrasions:  a. Building 675; Line 2:  On or about March 4, 2024, and at times prior, employees were exposed to electrical hazards, in that insulated electrical conductors entering a single gang electrical box attached to the frame of the "Automated Conveyor Systems, Inc." belt conveyor operating at 120 volts were not protected from abrasion while employees boxed and palletized packages of granular calcium hypochlorite.  b. Building 675; Line 2:  On or about March 4, 2024, and at times prior, employees were exposed to electrical hazards, in that insulated electrical conductors entering a hole in the bottom of the frame of the "Interpack" carton sealer operating at 120 volts were not protected from abrasion while employees boxed and palletized packages of granular calcium hypochlorite.

Issued

Aug 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,839 · Current $2,903 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i):  Pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers approved for the purpose:  a.  Building 675; Line 2:  On or about March 04, 2024, and at times prior, employees were exposed to electrical burn hazards, in that an appropriate and effective cover was not installed  where a snap switch cover with unused openings was installed on an electrical pull box used to route wires on the frame of an "Automated Conveyor Systems, Inc." belt conveyor operating at 120 volts where employees were boxing packages of granular calcium hypochlorite.  b.  Building 675; Line 2:  On or about March 04, 2024, and at times prior, employees were exposed to electrical burn hazards, in that an electrical receptacle cover was not secured in place on a single gang electrical box with receptacle attached to the lower frame of an "Automated Conveyor Systems, Inc." belt conveyor operating at 120 volts where employees were boxing packages of granular calcium hypochlorite.

Issued

Aug 23, 2024

Abate by

Sep 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,839 · Current $2,903 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(2)(iii):  Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief was provided that would prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws:  a. Building 675; Line 2: On or about March 04, 2024, and at times prior, employees were exposed to electrical hazards, in that strain relief was not provided to electrical conductors entering an electrical box mounted to the frame of the "Automated Conveyor Systems, Inc." belt conveyor operating at 120 volts where employees were packaging calcium hypochlorite.  b. Building 675; Line 2: On or about March 04, 2024, and at times prior, employees were exposed to electrical hazards, in that strain relief was not provided to insulated electrical conductors entering into a hole in the bottom of the frame of the "Interpack" carton sealer operating at 120 volts while employees boxed and palletized packages of granular calcium hypochlorite.  c. Building 675; Line 2: On or about March 04, 2024, and at times prior, employees were exposed to electrical hazards, in that strain relief was not provided for electrical conductors entering the bottom of the control panel for the "General Packaging Equipment Company" packaging machine operating at 240 volts where employees were packaging calcium hypochlorite.  d. Building 655; Line 10: On or about March 04, 2024, and at times prior, employees were exposed to electrical hazards, in that strain relief was not provided for electrical conductors entering an opening in the side of the "General Packaging Equipment Company" packaging machine operating at 240 volts and spliced with wire nuts to conductors inside the machine where employees were packaging calcium hypochlorite.

Issued

Aug 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $1,613 · Current $968 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.32(a)(4):  The employer did not post an OSHA 300A Form or equivalent by February 1 thru April 30.  a.  Building 675; Warehouse:  On or about March 04, 2024, and at times prior, the employer failed to post the annual summary of work-related injuries and illnesses for calendar year 2023 where employees perform duties related to receiving, warehousing, packaging and distribution of pool and hot tub treatment chemicals.

Issued

Aug 23, 2024

Abate by

Sep 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3):   Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:  a.  Building 655; East Wall:  On or about May 23, 2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to smoke inhalation hazards, in that an exit discharge door was obstructed by 8 pallets which had been stored in front of the door.  b.  Building 655; East Wall:  On or about May 23, 2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to smoke inhalation hazards, in that an exterior portion of an exit route was obstructed immediately outside the discharge location where stair steps were overgrown with weeds, a 5 gallon bucket was placed at the bottom of the stairs and a ladder was obstructing the path away from the bottom of the stairs.

Issued

Aug 23, 2024

Abate by

Sep 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1):  Portable fire extinguishers were not mounted, located and identified so that they were readily accessible without subjecting the employees to injuries:  a.  Building 655; East side wall of Tumble Mixer:  On or about March 7, 2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to trip hazards, in that safe access to a fire extinguisher was not maintained where mixing containers and palletized materials obstructed the path to an ABC  fire extinguisher mounted to a column labeled, "Fire Extinguishers" where employees store, retrieve, blend and package, pool and hot tub chemicals.

Issued

Aug 23, 2024

Abate by

Sep 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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, and did not ensure that they were readily accessible during each work  shift to employees when they were in their work area(s)  a.  Building 655; Line 10:  On or about May 7, 2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to chemical hazards, in that the employer did not maintain at the worksite a copy of the safety data sheet for "King Technology, Inc." Frog Maintain, a potassium peroxymonosulfate compound, where employees repackage the produce from bulk to consumer containers using a "General Packaging Equipment Company" packaging machine and conveyors.