OSHA Inspection: CHIPPEWA PALLET INC.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $5,627 · Current $3,939 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.25(b)(3):  The employer did not ensure that stairs have uniform riser heights and tread depths between landings:  (a) Sawing, outfeed side of Baker bandsaw; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, riser heights and stair tread depths were not uniform on a custom-made metal stairway with integrated platform that was used to cross over the saw conveyor line.  The riser height varied from 16 inches to 14 inches, to 12.75 inches; and the stair tread depth varied from 6 inches to 5-7/8 inches.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.25(b)(4):  The employer did not ensure that stairway landings and platforms are at least the width of the stair and at least 30 inches (76 cm) in depth, as measured in the direction of travel.   (a) Sawing, outfeed side of Baker bandsaw; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, the top platform of a custom-made metal stairway with integrated platform used to cross over the saw conveyor line was only 8 inches deep.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.25(c)(2):  The employer did not ensure that standard stairs have a maximum riser height of 9.5 inches (24 cm):   (a) Sawing, outfeed side of Baker bandsaw; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, a custom-made metal stairway with integrated platform, that was used to cross over the saw conveyor line, had risers that were 16 inches, 14 inches, and 12.75 inches high.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.25(c)(4):  The employer did not ensure that standard stairs have a minimum width of 22 inches (56 cm) between vertical barriers:   (a) Sawing, outfeed side of Baker bandsaw; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, a custom-made metal stairway with integrated platform, that was used to cross over the saw conveyor line, had treads that were 9 inches wide.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Abate by

Aug 29, 2025

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(2)(iii):  New machines and equipment that were installed after January 2, 1990, were not provided with energy isolating devices designed to accept lockout devices:   (a) Pallet making area; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, the pneumatic isolation valve installed on a Woodpecker brand pallet nailing machine during the initial setup at this facility between September and November of 2024 was not designed to and/or capable of accepting lockout devices to secure the valve in the off position.  The machine was equipped with pneumatically powered nail guns (raise/lower and nailing), pallet flippers, and pallet stacker cylinders.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Abate by

Aug 29, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(4)(i):  Lockout or tagout devices were not affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees:  (a) Pallet making area; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, lockout devices were not attached to the pneumatic ball valve during setup/changeover operations on a woodpecker brand pallet nailing machine with integrated pallet flippers and conveyances.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Abate by

Aug 29, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,620 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(B):  The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy:  (a) Pallet making area; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, the employer's general energy isolation (lockout/tagout) procedures did not identify specific step-by-step procedures for how to isolate each energy source on a woodpecker brand pallet nailing machine with integrated conveyances.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Abate by

Aug 29, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,620 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D):  Each authorized employee shall affix a personal lockout or tagout device to the group lockout device prior to working on the machine or equipment:  (a) Sawing area; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, each employee involved in lockout covered activities did not affix their own locks on energy isolation points before performing jam clearing operations on the gang saw.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Abate by

Aug 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $5,793 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(b):  Material stored in tiers was not stacked, blocked, interlocked or limited in height so that it was stable and secure against sliding and collapse:  (a) Indoor storage area between rebuild and saw areas; On or about March 18-19, 2025, and dates prior, stacks of wooden pallets and tiered packs of palletized materials (wooden stringers and deck boards) of varying sizes were not securely stacked and/or limited in height to prevent them from leaning or falling.  (b) Parking lot storage area; On or about March 18-19, 2025, and dates prior, tiered packs of palletized materials (wooden stringers, deck boards, and blocks) of varying sizes were not securely stacked and/or limited in height to prevent them from leaning or falling.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $7,035 · Current $4,925 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1):  One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:  (a) Sawing area; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, an ingoing nip-point between the lower run of the chop saw waste material belt and drum roller was not guarded.  (b) Sawing area; On or about the week of March 10-14, 2025, guarding was not provided for the chuck (rotating parts) and flying chips on a drill press.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Abate by

Aug 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $8,276 · Current $5,793 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3):  Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven (7) feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:  (a) Sawing area, chop saw infeed conveyor; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, the chain and sprocket on the chop saw infeed conveyor were not guarded.  (b) Sawing area, gang saw infeed area; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, three power transmission chain and sprocket sets on the gang saw infeed conveyor system were not guarded.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Abate by

Aug 15, 2025

Penalty

Initial $4,965 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b):  Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 pounds per square inch (psi):  (a) Throughout the sawing and pallet manufacturing areas; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, compressed air guns used by workers to clean sawdust from equipment surfaces in the facility and from themselves provided an outlet pressure of 71 psi at the air nozzle tip.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $5,627 · Current $3,939 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i):  Live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more were not guarded against accidental contact by approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures, or other means listed under this provision:  (a) Sawing area, chop saw infeed conveyor motor; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, wire-nut connector splices on energized conductor wires that provide 240 volt AC power to the chop saw infeed conveyor motor were not protected by an enclosure, elevation, or other acceptable means.  (b) Sawing area, chop saw; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, energized conductors and contactor switches carrying 240 volt AC to the chop saw were not protected by an enclosure, elevation, or other acceptable means.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(i):  Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not protected from abrasion, and openings through which conductors entered were not effectively closed:   (a) Sawing area, chop saw infeed conveyor motor; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, 240 volt AC conductor wires entering and exiting a junction box to provide power for the chop saw infeed conveyor motor were not protected from abrasion and openings into the junction box were not effectively closed.    (b) Sawing area, chop saw; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, 240 volt AC conductor wires entering and exiting an electrical box on the chop saw were not protected from abrasion and openings into the junction box were not effectively closed.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Sawing area, chop saw infeed conveyor motor; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, a junction box cover was not installed to prevent workers from contacting energized 240 volt AC conductor wires and/or splices that provide power to the chop saw infeed conveyor motor.  (b) Sawing area, chop saw; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, an electrical box cover was not installed to prevent workers from contacting energized 240 volt AC conductors and contactor switches that provide power to the chop saw.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Abate by

Aug 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $1,655 · Current $0 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) Throughout the establishment; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, the employer had a work-related recordable injury in 2024 and did not post their calendar year 2024 OSHA Form 300A between the required dates of February 1 through April 30, 2025.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Abate by

Aug 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $1,655 · Current $1,159 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.41(a)(1)(i):  The establishment had 20 or more employees but fewer than 250 employees at any time during the previous calendar year, and the establishment was classified in an industry listed in appendix A to subpart E of this part, and the employer did not electronically submit information from OSHA Form 300A Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses to OSHA or OSHA's designee by the specified date:   (a) Throughout the establishment; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, the employer had a NAICS code of 32192 (Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing), had approximately 42 employees, and did not electronically submit their calendar year 2024 OSHA Form 300A Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses prior to March 2, 2025.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Abate by

Aug 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2):  The employer did not verify, through a written certification, that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed:  (a) Throughout the establishment; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, the employer did not certify/document that a hazard assessment was performed to determine what personal protective equipment is required in the workplace.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Abate by

Aug 29, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(iv):  The employer did not certify that employee training had been accomplished:   (a) Throughout sawing and pallet making areas; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, the employer did not certify that each employee received lockout training.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Abate by

Aug 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(a)(6):  The employer did not ensure that all nameplates and markings were maintained in a legible condition:  (a) Throughout the facility; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, capacity and lift markings on the nameplate of a Caterpillar brand electric forklift were not legible.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Abate by

Aug 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(5):  The employer did not evaluate the competency of the operator who had previously received training appropriate to the truck and working conditions encountered:   (a) Throughout the facility; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, an employee with forklift training from their previous employer operated Caterpillar, Linde, and Viper brand forklifts at this company without first having their ability to safely operate forklifts evaluated.

Issued

Aug 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii):  The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, would provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical:  (a) Sawing area; On or about March 18, 2025, and dates prior, a secondary chemical container with ink in it was not labeled to identify the contents, health hazards, manufacturer contact information, or any other required information.