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Rubber and Wood September 22, 2016 10:30:09 AM

OSHA fines Wayne sawmill facility for alleged safety violations

Carolina Curiel
ScrapMonster Author
Wayne Lumber & Mulch Inc. cited 27 violations including three willful, nine repeat, twelve serious and three other-than-serious violations.

OSHA fines Wayne sawmill facility for alleged safety violations

FAIRMONT (Scrap Monster): The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) authorities have proposed fines amounting to $214,000 against a West Virginia sawmill operation for alleged willful, serious violations. Wayne Lumber & Mulch Inc. cited 27 violations including three willful, nine repeat, twelve serious and three other-than-serious violations. This is in addition to the 40 citations issued against the company by OSHA following a 2014 inspection of the sawmill facility.

According to OSHA inspectors, the employer failed to furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. It observed that around March this year and several instances prior to that, employees were permitted to operate Caterpillar Loaders, equipped with forklift attachments, without the use of the manufacturer-installed seatbelt, thereby exposing them to injuries associated with rollover hazards. It was also observed that an employee was exposed to a fall of over 9ft from the roof of the storage shed while adjusting the security cameras without using fall protection. Also, employees were exposed to falls of up to 10 feet while climbing conveyor belt to fill the motor at the top with oil without the use of fall protection.

Another serious violation involved use of inappropriate eye and face protection devices when exposed to hazards from flying particles and other potentially injurious materials. The March 2016 inspection noticed an employee wearing prescription glasses that were not impact rated and having no side-shields to protect him from sawdust and wood chips. In addition, the employer did not provide its employees with necessary hand protection tools. Employees were found handling logs and wood products including rough cut lumber and wood scraps without wearing hand protection.

The other serious citations include hazardous storage of material, unsafe condition of hand and portable powered tools and equipment, failure to provide flash back arrestors to oxygen and acetylene burning torches, use of repaired oxygen and acetylene burning torches without testing for pressure and use of cables with damaged insulation and exposed bare conductors. OSHA authorities also cited use of Caterpillar loader equipment with disconnected and non-audible warning signal, lack of adequate barriers and warning signs, use/installation of listed electrical equipment in accordance with instructions and deficient guards to employees to prevent their hands from making contact with sawmill blade.

The repeat citations were issued for the following violations:

- Lack of an effective hazard communication training plan.

- Exposing employees to electrical hazards, inadequate machine guarding, lack of a conveyor or exhaust system to remove combustible sawdust and shavings.

- Failing to have lockout/tagout procedures in place to prevent accidental machine start-up or movement.

- Allowing buildup of combustible materials.

- Failing to provide leg protection.

It must be noted that OSHA had cited the company for 40 violations during an inspection carried out in March 2014. The new citations indicate that the company has not taken remedial measures to address the violations cited then.

Meantime, Wayne Lumber & Mulch Inc. representative stated that the facility was not operating currently and that it will meet OSHA officials later this week.

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