OSHA Inspection: AXLE AND GEARS, INC.

Issued

Mar 14, 2025

Abate by

Apr 9, 2025

Penalty

Initial $3,783 · Current $2,648 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.29(f)(4): Openings in stair rails. The employer did not ensure that no opening in a stair rail system exceeds 19 inches (48 cm) at its least dimension.  On or about December 4, 2024, in the workshop at 567 Old Highway 20 West, South Sioux City, NE 68776, employees ascending or descending stairs to the upstairs office were exposed to fall hazards between approximately 6 feet and 8 feet 3 inches at the top of the stairs where there was no mid-rail or other form of fall prevention. The lack of a mid-rail created a gap approximately 34.5 inches tall at steps 8, 9, 10, and 11 or approximately 36 inches long.

Issued

Mar 14, 2025

Abate by

Apr 30, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,620 · Current $4,634 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1): The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative:  On or about December 4, 2024, employees engaged in vehicle maintenance activities in the workshop of the facility located at 567 Old Highway 20 West, South Sioux City, NE 68776, were exposed to an unexpected energy release and crushing hazard in the form of gravity, and/or vehicle movement, when performing vehicle and heavy equipment maintenance.  These activities include but are not limited to:   i.	On November 13, 2024, where the employer had an employee working underneath the approximate 10,000-pound 1977 Chevy Titan 90 semi-truck cab while removing and reinstalling of the power steering cylinder. ii.	As part of daily operations the employer has employees working underneath heavy commercial trucks removing parts for repairs or re-sale.

Issued

Mar 14, 2025

Abate by

Apr 30, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,620 · Current $4,634 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l).  On or about December 4, 2024, employees engaged in commercial mechanics activities, located at 567 Old Highway 20 West, South Sioux City, NE 68776, were exposed to struck-by hazards in that the employer has untrained employees operating a Daewoo Model Number: D370211 without having instructed or assessed their knowledge and performance prior to its operation.

Issued

Mar 14, 2025

Abate by

Apr 9, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,620 · Current $4,634 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.244(a)(1)(i): The operator did not ensure that the jack used had a rating sufficient to lift and sustain the load:  On or about November 13, 2024, employees engaged in vehicle maintenance activities in the facilities workshop at 567 Old Highway 20 West, South Sioux City, NE 68776, were exposed to caught-between and crushed-by hazards when using a hydraulic floor jack with an unconfirmed and unmarked load rating to lift the front axle of a 14,500-pound multi-axle truck. The jack is used to lift vehicles for oil changes and brake changes. The jack is also used to perform motor swaps.

Issued

Mar 14, 2025

Abate by

Apr 9, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,620 · Current $4,634 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.244(a)(2)(iii): Loads were not cribbed, blocked or otherwise secured immediately after being raised with a jack:  On or about November 13, 2024, employees engaged in vehicle maintenance activities in the workshop of the facility located at 567 Old Highway 20 West, South Sioux City, NE 68776, were exposed to caught-between and crushed-by hazards in that the employer had employees repairing/replacing steering components while lying under the elevated front axle of a 14,500-pound 1977 Chevy Titan 90 multi-axle cab-over truck. Wooden blocks were placed under the front wheel hubs without ensuring the truck hubs were secured against mechanical movement and falling during steering component removal and installation.

Issued

Mar 14, 2025

Abate by

Apr 30, 2025

Penalty

Initial $2,837 · Current $1,986 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1):Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program that included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii).  On or about November 13, 2024, employees engaged in vehicle maintenance activities in the workshop of the facility located at 567 Old Highway 20 West, South Sioux City, NE 68776, were exposed to chemical hazards such as but not limited to: skin/eye irritation hazards in that the employer has employees using diesel fuel to power the motor vehicles and parts washer solvent to clean vehicle parts without having developed and implemented a written Hazard Communication Program as required per this subpart.

Issued

Mar 14, 2025

Abate by

Apr 30, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  On or about November 13, 2024, employees engaged in vehicle maintenance activities in the workshop of the facility located at 567 Old Highway 20 West, South Sioux City, NE 68776, were exposed chemical hazards to include but not limited to: skin/eye irritation hazards in that the employer has employees using diesel fuel to power the motor vehicles and parts washer solvent to clean vehicle parts without having been provided training on the health hazards associated with these hazardous chemical use, how to read and understand the safety data sheets or the first aid measures necessary upon exposure.