OSHA Inspection: POPE AND GARRETT HARDWARE STORE

Issued

2025-05-19 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4965.00 · Current $4965.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(d)(1): The employer did not ensure that walking-working surfaces are inspected, regularly and as necessary, and maintained in a safe condition  a) Mezzanine Storage Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, employees accessing the mezzanine to retrieve stored materials were exposed to struck-by and collapse hazards. One vertical upright support beam was observed resting on two loosely stacked bricks, creating an unstable walking-working surface. The walking-working surface had not been regularly inspected or maintained in a safe condition.  b) Mezzanine Storage Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, employees accessing the mezzanine to retrieve stored materials were exposed to struck-by and collapse hazards. One vertical upright support beam was suspended approximately six inches above the ground, with no contact to a footer or solid base. The walking-working surface had not been regularly inspected or maintained in a safe condition.  c) Mezzanine Storage Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, employees accessing the mezzanine to retrieve stored materials were exposed to struck-by and collapse hazards. A vertical support post located to the left of the mezzanine staircase, at the ladder storage area, was observed to be cracked and leaning, indicating structural instability. The walking-working surface had not been regularly inspected or maintained in a safe condition.  d) Bay Door Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, employees accessed a mezzanine using a staircase located near the bay door. The bottom step was uneven and irregular, presenting a tripping hazard. The walking-working surface had not been regularly inspected or maintained in a safe condition.  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

2025-05-19 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(d)(2): The employer did not ensure that hazardous conditions on walking-working surfaces are corrected or repaired before an employee uses the walking-working surface again. The employer did not ensure that if the correction or repair cannot be made immediately, the hazard is guarded to prevent employees from using the walking-working surface until the hazard is corrected or repaired.  a) Mezzanine Storage Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, a vertical support beam beneath the mezzanine was observed resting on two loosely stacked bricks. The condition remained in use without repair or guarding, and the employer did not restrict access to the area, exposing employees to potential collapse hazards.  b) Mezzanine Storage Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, a vertical support beam beneath the mezzanine was suspended approximately six inches above the ground with no contact to a footer or base. The condition remained in use without repair or guarding, and the employer did not restrict access to the area, exposing employees to potential collapse hazards.  c) Mezzanine Storage Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, a vertical support post located to the left of the mezzanine staircase, at the ladder storage area, was observed to be cracked and leaning. The condition remained in use without repair or guarding, and the employer did not restrict access to the area, exposing employees to potential collapse hazards.  d) Bay Door Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, employees accessed a mezzanine using a staircase located near the bay door. The bottom step of the staircase was uneven and not maintained in a safe condition. The condition remained uncorrected and unguarded, exposing employees to potential slip, trip, and fall 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

2025-05-19 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4965.00 · Current $4965.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.29(b)(2)(i): The employer did not ensure that guardrails met the requirement that midrails that are installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking-working surface.  a) Mezzanine Storage Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, employees accessed a mezzanine platform for material retrieval where the guardrail system did not include a midrail, exposing employees to fall hazards of approximately 10 feet.  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

2025-05-19 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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.  a) Bay Door Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, employees accessed a mezzanine using a staircase located near the bay door. The stair rail system was missing a midrail, resulting in an opening that exceeded 19 inches in its least dimension and exposing employees to a fall hazard.  b) Ladder Storage Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, employees accessed the mezzanine using a staircase located near the ladder storage area. The stair rail system was missing a midrail, resulting in an opening that exceeded 19 inches in its least dimension and exposing employees to a fall hazard.  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

2025-05-19 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4256.00 · Current $4256.00

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):  a) Warehouse Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, the employer did not ensure that the employee operating a powered industrial truck had completed the training and evaluation required to operate the equipment safely.  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 employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2025-05-19 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4256.00 · Current $4256.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(p)(1):Powered industrial truck(s) found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe had not been  taken out of service until restored to safe operating condition(s)  a) Warehouse Area: On or about March 25, 2025, and times prior, employees used a forklift to move materials throughout the facility. The forklift was defective in that it had a known hydraulic leak, exposing employees to struck-by and crushing 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

2025-05-19 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2128.00 · Current $2128.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1):The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:  a) Pope and Garrett Hardware Store: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, the employer did not develop or maintain a written hazard communication program, despite employees handling hazardous chemicals such as propane. This exposed employees to chemical hazards without proper labeling, SDS access, or training procedures.  ABATEMENT NOTE: A written program shall include a description of how the criteria for the following will be met:  1. Labeling and other forms of warnings;  2. Safety Data Sheets;  3. Employee information and training.    Additionally, a list of hazardous chemicals known to be present in the workplace must be compiled. Methods used to inform employees of the hazards associated with non-routine tasks and the informing of contractors of workplace hazards, including a description of the labeling system used in the facility and the availability of safety data sheets must also be addressed. The written program must be made available upon request.

Issued

2025-05-19 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(g)(8):  The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical, and did not ensure that they were readily accessible during each work  shift to employees when they were in their work area(s)  a) Pope and Garrett Hardware Store: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, the employer did not ensure that safety data sheets (SDSs) for hazardous chemicals such as propane were available to employees in the workplace.  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 employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2025-05-19 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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:  a) Pope and Garrett Hardware Store: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, employees handling hazardous chemicals, such as propane, were not provided with training on safe use, labeling, or the hazards associated with those chemicals.  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 employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2025-05-19 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $398.00 · Current $398.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(b): The employer did not ensure that each walking-working surface can support the maximum intended load for that surface.  a) Mezzanine Storage Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, the employer did not ensure that the mezzanine walking-working surface was marked or certified to support the maximum intended load. The mezzanine was used for storage of piping and other materials, yet no load capacity signage or certification was observed.  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 employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2025-05-19 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $398.00 · Current $398.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(e)(3):Portable fire extinguishers were not subjected to an annual maintenance check:  a) Mezzanine Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, a portable fire extinguisher located beneath the mezzanine platform had not been subjected to an annual maintenance check. The inspection tag indicated the last recorded inspection occurred in 2015, exposing employees accessing the mezzanine and surrounding area to increased risk in the event of a fire emergency.  b) Outside Shop Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, a portable fire extinguisher located outside the shop area, near the location where the forklift was stored, had not been subjected to an annual maintenance check. The inspection tag showed the last documented maintenance was performed in 2015, placing nearby employees at an increased risk in the event of a fire emergency.  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 employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2025-05-19 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(e)(2):Portable fire extinguishers were not visually inspected at least monthly  a) Mezzanine Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, a portable fire extinguisher located beneath the mezzanine platform had not been visually inspected on a monthly basis. No documentation was present on the inspection tag to confirm that required visual checks were performed, exposing employees accessing the mezzanine and surrounding area to increased risk in the event of a fire emergency.  b) Outside Shop Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, a portable fire extinguisher located outside the shop area near the forklift storage location had not been visually inspected on a monthly basis. The extinguisher tag contained no entries confirming the completion of required monthly inspections, placing nearby employees at increased risk should a fire emergency occur.  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 employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2025-05-19 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $398.00 · Current $398.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(B):Flexible cords and/or cables were run through holes in walls, ceilings, or floors:  a) Shop Entrance Area: On or about March 28, 2025, and times prior, a flexible extension cord was observed running through a sheet metal wall adjacent to the steps leading into the shop area. The cord extended from an outlet beside the stairs, under the steps, and into the warehouse through the wall.  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 employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.