In: Operations Management
3) You are an OSHA inspector who is conducting a routine inspection at a warehouse in Porter County. Materials are stored above the ceiling of a shipping office within the warehouse. You decide to write a citation, because:
-There are obvious, physical signs that the stored materials are too heavy as there is bowing in the ceiling materials that are over the work stations of the shipping personnel
-The load limit sign shows a number of lbs per square foot that is too conservative for this situation
-Your floor load capacity meter indicates a problem
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15) All of the following describe good housekeeping practices except:
- eliminate hazards such as protruding nails or loose flooboards
- provide mats if needed to allow for a dry standing place at a work station
-Do not allow wet processes in any workplace
- Keep floors as clean and dry as possible
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18) Employee training is important for the HazCom standard because the average level at which the MSDS is written is: Middle school, high school, elementry school, college level.
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Solution 1:
According to OSHA standards, a company should communicate the maximum safe load limits of floors across the entire facility, in standard units measure, except when the storage area is on a floor. In this case, the inspector could write a citation if he/she feels that the current load limit sign is too conservative and potentially unsafe for workers.
So the correct answer is option b - The load limit sign shows a number of lbs per square foot that is too conservative for this situation.
Solution 2:
According to the OSHA standards, the employer should keep the workplace as dry as possible. In the case of a wet process, the employer shall ensure drainage and provide necessary protections for the workers to stand. Alternately, when an employee is deployed in the wet process, the employer should provide a protective footgear, following the OSHA standard.
So the correct answer is option c - Do not allow wet processes in any workplace.
Solution 3:
According to surveys undertaken by OSHA, it has been found that MSDS is written at a college level which is not understood by most workers. Hence, it is important to provide adequate training to the workers so that they can follow the safety instructions.
So, the correct answer is option d - college level.