Colorado Pallet Recycling Facility Cited for Safety Violations

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the Ifco Systems pallet recycling facility in Henderson, Colo., with one repeat and five serious citations for improper machine guarding following an inspection. Penalties total $67,765.

The inspection was initiated under OSHA’s site-specific targeting program that focuses on employers with high injury and illness rates. Ifco Systems is an international logistics service provider with more than 210 locations worldwide, including the facility in Henderson.

The repeat citation, with a penalty of $50,000, was issued for failing to provide adequate machine guarding on a bandsaw.

OSHA issued similar citations to Ifco Systems facilities located in Smithville, Ohio, on July 12, 2006; Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 5, 2008; and Atlanta, Ga., on Oct. 8, 2010.

The serious citations, with a penalty of $17,765, were issued for failing to develop and implement proper lockout procedures for energy sources; a lack of proper guarding for open-sided floors; a lack of machine guarding on a table saw; and exposing employees to excessive levels of noise.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with the OSHA area director or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA