OSHA Inspection: METALLUS, INC.

Issued

Mar 28, 2025

Abate by

Sep 30, 2025

Penalty

Initial $16,550 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(a)(4): General requirements. Modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operation shall not be performed by the customer or user without manufacturers prior written approval. Capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals shall be changed accordingly.  a) On or about November 23, 2024, the employer did not obtained the forklift manufacturer's prior written approval for attachments such as the Apex 1-1/2 cubic yard with caster mounted base hoppers which weighs 750 lbs.  empty  prior to attaching to power industrial vehicles such as the Hyster50 - Model: E50XN-33 sit-down forklifts.

Issued

Mar 28, 2025

Abate by

Jul 31, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(a)(5): General requirements. If the truck is equipped with front-end attachments other than factory installed attachments, the user shall request that the truck be marked to identify the attachments and show the approximate weight of the truck and attachment combination at maximum elevation with load laterally centered.  a.) On or about November 23, 2024, 2025, the employer did not ensure prior to using the front end attachments such as the Apex 1 1/2 cubic yard with caster mounted based hoppers on powered industrial vehicles including the Hyster50 - Model: E50XN-33 sit-down forklift that was loaded with scrap parts were marked to identify the attachments and show the approximate weight of the truck and attachment combination at maximum elevation with load laterally centered over the dumpsters.

Issued

Mar 28, 2025

Abate by

Jun 23, 2025

Penalty

Initial $16,550 · Current $8,275 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(l)(3):Training program content. Powered industrial truck operators shall receive initial training in the following topics, except in topics which the employer can demonstrate are not applicable to safe operation of the truck in the employer's workplace.  (l)(3)(i)(G) Fork and attachment adaptation, operation, and use limitations; (l)(3)(ii) Workplace-related topics: (l)(3)(ii)(C) Load manipulation, stacking, and unstacking; (l)(3)(ii)(I) Other unique or potentially hazardous environmental conditions in the workplace that could affect safe operation.  a) On or about November 23, 2024, the employer did not perform adequate training for  powered industrial truck operators in topics to include but not limited to (l)(3)(i)(G), (l)(3)(ii), (l)(3)(ii)(C), (l)(3)(ii)(I) in regards to the safe operation and handling of the front end attachment, the Apex 1-1/2 Cubic Yard with Caster mounted base Hopper attached to power industrial vehicles including the Hyster50 - Model: E50XN-33 forklift, in that employees were not trained on the proper procedures dismounting off the forklift within 25 feet tip the hopper and to physically put the hopper back into the upright position.  Employees were not trained adequately on the purpose of the danger zone marked by the forklift lights and to stay out of the danger zone area while the forks in the raised position and over the dumpster.  Employees were not trained adequately on the pinch point and caught in hazards created by the uniqueness of the hoppers in that the hoppers located on the forks after being brought down would not tilt back without the operators physically getting off the forklift trucks and physically moving the hoppers back into position even after being lowered to the ground.

Issued

Mar 28, 2025

Abate by

Jul 31, 2025

Penalty

Initial $16,550 · Current $8,275 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(m)(5)(iii): Truck operations. When the operator of an industrial truck is dismounted and within 25 ft. of the truck still in his view, the load engaging means shall be fully lowered, controls neutralized, and the brakes set to prevent movement.  On or about November 23, 2024, the employer authorized forklift operators to dismount the forklift with the load raised to pull the lever to dump the scrap hopper into the roll-off dumpster.