OSHA Inspection: BOWL NEW ENGLAND, INC

Issued

Jan 7, 2026

Abate by

Feb 25, 2026

Penalty

Initial $9,458 · Current $4,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.28(b)(1)(i):  Except as provided elsewhere in this section 29 CFR 1910.28, the employer did not ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by one or more of the systems described in 29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i):  Pit Area:  On, or about, August 27, 2025, employees were exposed to fall hazards from the platforms provided on the top of the AMF 82-70/AMF82-90XL Pinspotters.  The following end machines had a fall distance of greater than four feet to the floor below:  A.	Elite:  Lane 1. B.	Low:  Lanes 9 and 18. C.	High:  Lanes 19 and 24.

Issued

Jan 7, 2026

Abate by

Feb 25, 2026

Penalty

Initial $9,458 · Current $4,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(i):  Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:  Pit Area:  On, or about, August 27, 2025, lockout procedures were not utilized by employees when performing service or maintenance on the pinsetters such as cleaning jams, pile-ups and addressing issues with pin spot cells.

Issued

Jan 7, 2026

Abate by

Feb 25, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii):  The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, including, but not limited to Items of this section:  Pit Area:  On, or about, August 27, 2025, the lockout procedure provided in the Safety Manual for the pinsetting machines (AMF 82-70, upgraded to AMF 82-90XL) were deficient in that:  1.	The specific procedure did not address protecting employees from bowling balls entering the pinsetting equipment.  2.	The specific procedure did not address gravity hazards while working on or under the pin deck.  3.	The specific procedure did not address situations where the pinsetter pair would need to be de-energized to address an issue involving shared components or where employees would be exposed to hazards from the neighboring pinsetter.

Issued

Jan 7, 2026

Abate by

Feb 25, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(5)(i):  Locks, tags, chains, wedges, key blocks, adapter pins, self-locking fasteners, or other hardware were not provided by the employer for isolating, securing, or blocking of machines or equipment from energy sources:  Pit Area:  On, or about, August 27, 2025, the company did not provide jack stands, blocks or other effective means to secure the pin decks when employees had to work under them.

Issued

Jan 7, 2026

Abate by

Feb 25, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls are acquired by employees:  Pit Area:  On, or about, August 27, 2025, authorized and affected employees had not been provided with training regarding lockout procedures and lockout hardware to be utilized when performing service or maintenance on AMF 82-70/AMF 82-90XL Pinspotters.

Issued

Jan 7, 2026

Abate by

Feb 25, 2026

Penalty

Initial $9,458 · Current $4,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(e)(3)(i):  Vertical or inclined belt(s) were not enclosed by guard(s) conforming to the requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):  Pit Area:  AMF 82-70 Pinspotters:  On, or about, August 27, 2025, multiple drive belts were not provided with guards to prevent employee access and contact with rotating parts and in-running nip points.  The drive belts were accessible through an opening under the chassis control box and also on the side on Lane 7 where the side the machine was open due to the removal of the pinsetter on Lane 8.

Issued

Jan 7, 2026

Abate by

Feb 25, 2026

Penalty

Initial $5,674 · Current $4,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.215(a)(1):  Abrasive wheel(s) used on grinding machinery were not used with safety guard(s):  High Pit Area:  On, or about, August 28, 2025, a bench mounted grinder was not provided with an enclosure guard.

Issued

Jan 7, 2026

Abate by

Feb 25, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.215(a)(4):  Grinding machinery was not used with work rest(s) to support offhand grinding work:  High Pit Area:  On, or about, August 28, 2025, a bench mounted grinder was not provided with a work rest.

Issued

Jan 7, 2026

Abate by

Feb 25, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.215(b)(9):  Guard for abrasive wheel machine where the operator stands in front of the machine was not constructed so that the peripheral protecting member could be adjusted to the constantly decreasing diameter of the wheel:  High Pit Area:  On, or about, August 28, 2025, a bench mounted grinder was not provided with a tongue guard.