A Wayne, W. Va., sawmill, which already had received 40 OSHA citations following an inspection in 2014, received an additional three proposed willful, nine proposed repeat, 12 proposed serious and three proposed other-than-serious violations on Sept. 2.
On April 13, OSHA conducted an inspection of Wane Lumber and Mulch Inc. as a follow up to a March 2014 inspection.
Inspectors cited the employer for alleged willful violations due to its failure to properly guard a chop saw and provide standard railing and handrails. OSHA also issued alleged repeat citations 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.
OSHA cited Wayne Lumber and Mulch previously for the same violations in the 2014 inspection.
“By all indications, Wayne Lumber and Mulch failed to take the violations we found in 2014 seriously,” said Prentice Cline, director of Charleston’s Area Office. “The fact that many of these hazards existed again – and the addition of nearly 30 new violations – tells us this employer is willing to jeopardize the safety of its workers. In 2015, an employee suffered a fingertip amputation due to lack of machine guarding. Without taking immediate action to ensure a safe workplace, more workers could be injured or worse.”
Inspectors also identified several alleged serious violations, and the agency issued serious citations for:
- Exposing workers to crushing and rollover hazards while operating machinery without manufacturer-installed seatbelts.
- Failing to provide employees with protection from falls up to 10 feet above the ground.
- Not providing proper eye, hand and flashback protection, and barriers and warning signs.
- Allowing hazards in the area where mulch was stored.
- Permitting operation of a chainsaw without a manufacturer-approved chain catch.
- Failing to pressure test repaired acetylene and oxygen burning torches before use.
- Allowing workers to use damaged welding cables.
- Failing to ensure a moving vehicle was equipped with an audible warning signal.
- Electrical equipment not used in accordance with included instructions.
In addition, the agency issued alleged other-than-serious citations to Wayne Lumber for its failure to report an employee amputation injury to OSHA, provide educational training program for employees on firefighting and fire extinguisher use and to place a valve protection cap on an acetylene bottle.
Wayne Lumber and Mulch Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with Cline or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.