Text For Citation: 03 Item/Group: 002 Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(26)(viii): Guarding lower landing area. The lower landing area of stackers and unstackers shall be guarded by enclosures that prevent entrance to the area or pit below the hoist platform. Entrances should be protected by electrically interlocked gates which, when open, will disconnect the power and set the hoist brakes. When the interlock is not installed, other positive means of protecting the entrance shall be provided: Florence Hardwoods, LLC does not ensure that lower landing areas of stackers and unstackers are guarded. This violation was most recently identified on June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill and Planer Building. a) On or about June 29, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building; employees raking sticks and/or banding stick bundles were exposed to ingoing nip points, struck-by, and entanglement hazards created from the unguarded the Mellott Stick Stacking System lower landing area and unscrambler. The equipment did not have any form of guarding to prevent access to the lower landing areas. b) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Planer Building; employees entering and/or exiting the building in close proximity to the Mellott hydraulic tilt hoist were not protected from struck by and/or crushing hazards from the raising and lowering of the tilt hoist and/or lumber pack(s). The equipment did not have any form of guarding to prevent access to the lower landing areas. c) On or about June 28, 2023, at a workplace located at 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin in the Sawmill; employees cleaning and/or walking in close proximity to the underside of the unscrambler conveying boards from the Bin PLC to the automated sticker machine and the lower landing area of the automated sticker were exposed to struck-by, caught-in hazards, and ingoing nip points. There was no form of machine guarding to prevent employees and operators from entering the south side of the PLC lower landing areas and below the hoist platform. Florence Hardwoods, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 1910.265(c)(26)(viii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1428560, citation number 1, item number 7 and was affirmed as a final order on February 10, 2020, with respect to a workplace located 5843 Tower Drive, Florence, Wisconsin.