OSHA Inspection: HIGGINS PALLET CO INC.

Issued

Jan 31, 2025

Abate by

Mar 27, 2025

Penalty

Initial $8,276 · Current $4,138 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):  At a worksite located at 641 SE 10th Road, Lamar, Missouri 64759, employees were exposed to fall hazards.  The employer exposed the employees to these hazards by allowing them to access an upper platform attached to the Eastern section of the West dust collection bin while sections of the top and mid rail that served as guard rails were not connected.

Issued

Jan 31, 2025

Abate by

Mar 27, 2025

Penalty

Initial $8,276 · Current $4,138 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls are acquired by employees:  At a worksite located at 641 SE 10th Road, Lamar, Missouri 64759, employees were exposed to amputation, struck by,  caught in, and electrical hazards.  The employer exposed the employees to these hazards as they did not provide training to the employees that included the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation for the wood processing machines utilized in the facility.

Issued

Jan 31, 2025

Abate by

Mar 27, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,620 · Current $11,585

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.213(i)(1):Non-working portions of the blade of the bandsaw were not enclosed or guarded:  At a worksite located at 641 SE 10th Road, Lamar, Missouri 64759, employees were exposed to caught in and amputation hazards.  The employer exposed the employees to these hazards by allowing them to operate a Morgan Baker Band Saw Single Head Band Saw while lower, non-working portions of the blade were not enclosed or guarded.

Issued

Jan 31, 2025

Abate by

Mar 27, 2025

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.213(r)(4):Suitable guard(s) were not provided to reduce to a minimum the hazard due to the point of operation of the 2012 Smith Morgan Chop Saw:  At a worksite located at 641 SE 10th Road, Lamar, Missouri 64759, employees were exposed to amputation and caught in hazards.  The employer exposed the employees to these hazards by allowing them to operate the 2012 Smith Morgan Chop Saw to cut down wooden boards while the machines point of operation was unguarded.

Issued

Jan 31, 2025

Abate by

Mar 27, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,620 · Current $3,310 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(C)(3):29 CFR 1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(C)(3): Each cord set, attachment cap, plug, and receptacle of cord sets, and any equipment connected by cord and plug found damaged or defective was used before being repaired:  At a worksite located at 641 SE 10th Road, Lamar, Missouri 64759, employees were exposed to electrical hazards that include electrical shock and electrical fire.  The employer exposed the employees to these hazards by allowing them to utilize an electrical extension cord with insulation damage to power a black, adjustable "Maxx Air" portable fan.

Issued

Jan 31, 2025

Abate by

Mar 27, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.304(g)(5):The path to ground from circuits, equipment, and enclosures was not permanent, continuous, and effective:  At a worksite located at 641 SE 10th Road, Lamar, Missouri 64759, employees were exposed to electrical hazards that include electrical shock and electrical fire.  The employer exposed the employees to these hazards by allowing them to utilize electrical equipment in the workplace while the equipment did not have permanent, continuous and effective grounding.  Instances of exposure include but are not limited to:  1.  A black portable fan that was connected to an electrical outlet on the production floor, north of the 2012 West Plains Resaw machine.  2.  A red portable fan located east of the 2012 West Plains Resaw machine that was provided electrical power through an electrical extension cord connected to a receptacle near the center of the production floor.  The electrical extension cord did not have a grounding pin at the point of connection to facility power.   3.  A red portable fan located south of the Morgan Baker Band Saw Single Head Band Saw that did not have a grounding pin in the electrical connector while it was connected to facility power.   4.  A black, adjustable, standing "Maxx Air" portable fan that did not have a grounding pin at the point of electrical connection between the fan and the electrical extension cord that provided it with power.