OSHA Inspection: BROWNING LOGGING LLC

Issued

2025-09-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-10-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3972.00 · Current $3972.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.266(h)(2)(v): The undercut was not of a size so the tree would not split and would fall in the intended direction.   (a) Logging Site, Big Fork Tract, Elkview, WV: On March 27, 2025, trees were manually felled with undercuts that were too shallow, exposing employees to struck-by hazards.  Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

2025-09-26 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.266(h)(2)(i): Before felling is started, the feller did not plan and clear a retreat path.   (a) Logging Site, Big Fork Tract, Elkview, WV: On March 27, 2025, an employee felled approximately twenty trees ranging from 14 to 35 inches in diameter without planning a safe retreat path, exposing the employee to struck-by hazards.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

2025-09-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-10-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3405.00 · Current $3405.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.266(d)(1)(iv): The employer did not provide, at no cost to the employee, and did not assure that each employee who operated a chain saw wore leg protection constructed with cut-resistant material, such as ballistic nylon.  (a) Cutting Area, Big Fork Tract, Elkview, WV: On March 27, 2025, an employee felling trees with a Stihl 462 chainsaw and 25-inch bar was not provided leg protection made of cut-resistant material, exposing the employee to struck-by hazards.     Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2025-09-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-10-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3405.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.266(d)(1)(vi): The employer did not provide, at no cost to the employee, and/or assure that each employee who worked in an area where there was potential for head injury from falling or flying objects wore head protection.    (a) Cutting Area, Big Fork Tract, Elkview, WV: On March 27, 2025, an employee limbing and felling trees was not wearing head protection, exposing the employee to struck-by hazards.   (b) Logging Site, Big Fork Tract, Elkview, WV: On March 27, 2025, the loader operator entered an active felling area to hook felled trees without wearing head protection, exposing the employee to struck-by hazards.   Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2025-09-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-10-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.266(d)(1)(vii)(B): Face protection meeting the requirements of Subpart I of 1910 where there is potential for facial injury were not provided and worn by employees performing chainsaw operations.   (a) Cutting Area, Big Fork Tract, Elkview, WV: On March 27, 2025, the employer did not ensure that an employee felling trees with a chainsaw wore face protection, exposing the employee to struck-by hazards.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2025-09-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-10-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2270.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.266(d)(1)(v): The employer did not assure that each employee wore  foot protection, such as heavy-duty logging boots, that were waterproof or water repellant, and/or that covered and provided support to the ankle, and protected the employee from penetration by chain saws.   (a) Cutting Area, Big Fork Tract, Elkview, WV: On March 27, 2025, an employee felling trees wore non-cut-resistant work boots that did not protect against chainsaw penetration, exposing the employee to struck-by hazards.   (b) Logging Site, Big Fork Tract, Elkview, WV: On March 27, 2025, an employee performed skidding operations, including hooking felled logs with a winch, choker, and chains to be skidded to the landing, while not wearing proper foot protection, exposing the employee to crushing hazards.   Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2025-09-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-10-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3405.00 · Current $3405.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.266(i)(7)(i): The employer did not assure that each employee, including supervisors, had received first-aid and CPR training meeting at least the requirements specified in Appendix B.    (a) Logging Site, Big Fork Tract, Elkview, WV: On March 27, 2025, employees engaged in logging operations without the employer ensuring that each had received first-aid and CPR training, exposing workers to delayed medical response in the event of injury.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2025-09-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-10-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.266(d)(2)(ii): Each first aid kit did not contain the items listed in Appendix A at all times.   (a) Logging Site, Big Fork Tract, Elkview, WV: On March 27, 2025, employees engaged in tree felling operations did not have readily accessible first aid supplies available, exposing employees to delays in emergency medical response.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2025-09-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-10-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1702.00 · Current $1218.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(f)(6): "No Smoking" signs were not conspicuously posted where hazard from flammable liquid vapors is normally present.  (a) Landing, Big Fork Tract, Elkview, WV: On March 27, 2025, signs prohibiting smoking were not posted at or near a 50-gallon diesel fuel tank in the back of a work truck used to fuel equipment.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2025-09-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-10-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement and maintain at the workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g) and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met.   (a) Logging Site, Big Fork Tract: On March 27, 2025, the employer did not implement a hazard communication program for diesel fuel, gasoline, engine oil, and hydraulic fluid, including labeling, safety data sheets, and employee training.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2025-09-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-10-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $319.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.266(d)(4): The employer did not provide and maintain portable fire extinguishers on each machine and vehicle in accordance with the requirements of subpart L of part 1910.   (a) Logging Site, Big Fork Tract, Elkview, WV: On March 27, 2025, fire extinguishers were not available in the Prentice 180E loader, the Caterpillar D6K XL dozer, and/or the cutting area, exposing employees to fire hazards.   Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.