OSHA Inspection: MERRILL DISTRIBUTING INC

Issued

Dec 13, 2024

Abate by

Jan 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,453 · Current $4,517 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a):Application. Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.  On or about December 4, 2024, at location 1301 North Memorial Drive, Merrill, Wisconsin: the employer failed to supply and guarantee the use of appropriate personal protective equipment for employees conducting forklift maintenance.   a) Electric Powered Industrial Vehicles: employees who perform battery maintenance on forklifts without the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) may be exposed to chemicals from the battery acid, posing potential health hazards.  b) LP Powered Industrial Vehicles:  employees who perform propane tank changes on forklifts without the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) may be exposed to potential hazards from liquid propane, which can cause frostbite or other safety risks if mishandled.

Issued

Dec 13, 2024

Abate by

Jan 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall:  On or about December 4, 2024, at location 1301 North Memorial Drive, Merrill, Wisconsin: employer had not conducted an assessment of the workplace to determine if hazards are present or are likely to be present which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment.   a) Electric Powered Industrial Vehicles: employees who perform battery maintenance on forklifts without the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) may be exposed to chemicals from the battery acid, posing potential health hazards.  b) LP Powered Industrial Vehicles:  employees who perform propane tank changes on forklifts without the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) may be exposed to potential hazards from liquid propane, which can cause frostbite or other safety risks if mishandled.

Issued

Dec 13, 2024

Abate by

Jan 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use. [63 FR 33450, June 18, 1998]  On or about December 4, 2024, at location 1301 North Memorial Drive, Merrill, Wisconsin: employer did provide a suitable facility for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes for immediate emergency use where employees add water to Lead Acid Batteries that contains Sulfuric Acid, thus exposing employees to potential chemical burn hazard to the eyes.

Issued

Dec 13, 2024

Abate by

Jan 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,453 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(ii): Training shall consist 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.  On or about December 4, 2024, at location 1301 North Memorial Drive, Merrill, Wisconsin: the employer failed to complete training and evaluation for employees that were operating powered industrial vehicles.

Issued

Dec 13, 2024

Abate by

Jan 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(iii): An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance shall be conducted at least once every three years.  On or about December 4, 2024, at location 1301 North Memorial Drive, Merrill, Wisconsin: the employer did not evaluate each powered industrial truck operator's performance to ensure they had the knowledge and skill to operate safely.

Issued

Dec 13, 2024

Abate by

Jan 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6): Certification. The employer shall certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by this paragraph (l). The certification shall include the name of the operator, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation.  On or about December 4, 2024, at location 1301 North Memorial Drive, Merrill, Wisconsin: employer is not finalizing certification to include the name of the operator, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation.