<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
		<title>H-E-B, LP - OSHRC Docket No. 19-1832</title>
		<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8"/>
		<style type="text/css">
 p.hiddenParagraph { visibility:hidden } 
 p { widows:0; orphans:0; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; widows:0; orphans:0; margin-top:0; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:WindowText; } 
 p { font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; widows:0; orphans:0; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman;  }  p.style_Normal { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; widows:0; orphans:0; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_Normal span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 span.style_DefaultParagraphFont { } 
 table.style_TableNormal { } 
 p.style_FootnoteText { } 
.style_FootnoteText span { } 
 span.style_FootnoteTextChar { font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_FootnoteTextChar span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 span.style_FootnoteReference { position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;} 
.style_FootnoteReference span { position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;} 
 p.style_Footer { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; } 
 span.style_FooterChar { font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_FooterChar span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 span.style_PageNumber { } 
 span.style_apple-style-span { } 
 p.style_HTMLPreformatted { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; widows:2; orphans:2; font-family:Courier New; } 
.style_HTMLPreformatted span { font-family:Courier New; } 
 span.style_HTMLPreformattedChar { font-size:10pt; font-family:Courier New; } 
.style_HTMLPreformattedChar span { font-family:Courier New; } 
 p.style_Header { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; } 
 span.style_HeaderChar { font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_HeaderChar span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 p.style_Default { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; font-size:12pt; font-family:Courier New; color:#000000; } 
.style_Default span { font-family:Courier New; color:#000000; } 
 span.style_apple-converted-space { } 
 span.style_Emphasis { font-style:italic; } 
.style_Emphasis span { font-style:italic; } 
 p.style_NormalWeb { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; margin-top:6.667px; margin-bottom:6.667px; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:12pt; } 
.style_NormalWeb span { } 
 p.style_Revision { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_Revision span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 p.style_BalloonText { font-size:8pt; font-family:Tahoma; } 
.style_BalloonText span { font-family:Tahoma; } 
 span.style_BalloonTextChar { font-size:8pt; font-family:Tahoma; } 
.style_BalloonTextChar span { font-family:Tahoma; } 
 p.style_ListParagraph { margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; margin-left:48px; } 
 span.style_Hyperlink { color:#0000FF; text-decoration:underline ;} 
.style_Hyperlink span { color:#0000FF; text-decoration:underline ;} 
 span.style_CommentReference { font-size:8pt; } 
.style_CommentReference span { } 
 p.style_CommentText { } 
.style_CommentText span { } 
 span.style_CommentTextChar { font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; } 
.style_CommentTextChar span { font-family:Times New Roman; } 
 p.style_CommentSubject { font-weight:bold; } 
.style_CommentSubject span { font-weight:bold; } 
 span.style_CommentSubjectChar { font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; } 
.style_CommentSubjectChar span { font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; } 
 table.style_TableGrid { } 
 span.style_UnresolvedMention { color:#605E5C; background-color:#E1DFDD; } 
.style_UnresolvedMention span { color:#605E5C; background-color:#E1DFDD; } 
 span.X3AS7TOCHyperlink { color:#000000; text-decoration:none; } 
 p.X3AS7TABSTYLE { } 
 span.BulletSymbol { font-family:'Symbol'; } 
 body { margin-left:96px;margin-top:96px;margin-bottom:96px;margin-right:96px;} 
div.basic { width:16.51cm;height:22.86cm;} 
 p.hiddenParagraph { font-size:2pt; visibility:hidden; } 
</style>
		<script type="text/javascript">
							var useragent = navigator.userAgent;
							var navigatorname;
							if (useragent.indexOf('MSIE')!= -1)
							{
							navigatorname="MSIE";
							}
							else if (useragent.indexOf('Gecko')!= -1)
							{
							if (useragent.indexOf('Chrome')!= -1)
							navigatorname="Google Chrome";
							else
							navigatorname="Mozilla";
							}
							else if (useragent.indexOf('Mozilla')!= -1)
							{
							navigatorname="old Netscape or Mozilla";
							}
							else if (useragent.indexOf('Opera')!= -1)
							{
							navigatorname="Opera";
							}
							
							function symbol(code1,code2)
							{
							if (navigatorname == 'MSIE')
								document.write(code1);
							else
								document.write(code2);
							}
							</script>
	</head>
	<body xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><div class="basic"><div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:center; margin-left:72px; margin-right:24px; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:center; margin-left:72px; margin-right:24px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">United States of America</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:center; margin-left:72px; margin-right:24px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<table style="border-collapse:collapse; width:16.51cm; align:center; margin-left:-.191cm; margin-bottom:0cm">
				<tr style="margin:0;border:0;padding:0;visibility:hidden;">
					<th style="width:354.067px;"/>
					<th style="width:269.933px;"/>
				</tr>
				<tr style="height:1.016cm; ">
					<td style="vertical-align:middle; padding-top:0cm;padding-bottom:0cm;padding-left:0.19cm;padding-right:0.19cm;border-left:none, 0, inherit; border-right:dashed .018cm #000000; border-top:solid .035cm #000000; border-bottom:none, 0, inherit; width:9.476cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">SECRETARY OF LABOR,</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
					<td style="vertical-align:middle; padding-top:0cm;padding-bottom:0cm;padding-left:0.19cm;padding-right:0.19cm;border-left:dashed .018cm #000000; border-right:none, 0, inherit; border-top:none, 0, inherit; border-bottom:none, 0, inherit; width:7.228cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
						</div>
					</td>
				</tr>
				<tr style="height:1.016cm; ">
					<td style="vertical-align:middle; padding-top:0cm;padding-bottom:0cm;padding-left:0.19cm;padding-right:0.19cm;border-left:none, 0, inherit; border-right:dashed .018cm #000000; border-top:none, 0, inherit; border-bottom:none, 0, inherit; width:9.476cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant,</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
					<td style="vertical-align:middle; padding-top:0cm;padding-bottom:0cm;padding-left:0.19cm;padding-right:0.19cm;border-left:dashed .018cm #000000; border-right:none, 0, inherit; border-top:none, 0, inherit; border-bottom:none, 0, inherit; width:7.228cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
						</div>
					</td>
				</tr>
				<tr style="height:1.016cm; ">
					<td style="vertical-align:middle; padding-top:0cm;padding-bottom:0cm;padding-left:0.19cm;padding-right:0.19cm;border-left:none, 0, inherit; border-right:dashed .018cm #000000; border-top:none, 0, inherit; border-bottom:none, 0, inherit; width:9.476cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">v.<span>
									</span></span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
					<td style="vertical-align:middle; padding-top:0cm;padding-bottom:0cm;padding-left:0.19cm;padding-right:0.19cm;border-left:dashed .018cm #000000; border-right:none, 0, inherit; border-top:none, 0, inherit; border-bottom:none, 0, inherit; width:7.228cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
									</span>OSHRC Docket No.<span>
									</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">19-1832</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
				</tr>
				<tr style="height:1.016cm; ">
					<td style="vertical-align:middle; padding-top:0cm;padding-bottom:0cm;padding-left:0.19cm;padding-right:0.19cm;border-left:none, 0, inherit; border-right:dashed .018cm #000000; border-top:none, 0, inherit; border-bottom:none, 0, inherit; width:9.476cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">H-E-B, LP</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
					<td style="vertical-align:top;padding-top:0cm;padding-bottom:0cm;padding-left:0.19cm;padding-right:0.19cm;border-left:dashed .018cm #000000; border-right:none, 0, inherit; border-top:none, 0, inherit; border-bottom:none, 0, inherit; width:7.228cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
								</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
				</tr>
				<tr style="height:1.318cm; ">
					<td style="vertical-align:middle; padding-top:0cm;padding-bottom:0cm;padding-left:0.19cm;padding-right:0.19cm;border-left:none, 0, inherit; border-right:dashed .018cm #000000; border-top:none, 0, inherit; border-bottom:solid .035cm #000000; width:9.476cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent.</span></p>
						</div>
					</td>
					<td style="vertical-align:middle; padding-top:0cm;padding-bottom:0cm;padding-left:0.19cm;padding-right:0.19cm;border-left:dashed .018cm #000000; border-right:none, 0, inherit; border-top:none, 0, inherit; border-bottom:none, 0, inherit; width:7.228cm;">
						<div>
							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
						</div>
					</td>
				</tr>
			</table>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:1.5; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Counsel: </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">John Bradley, Esq.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Trial Attorney, U. S. Department of Labor,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Office of the Solicitor, Dallas, TX</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "> Counsel for Complainant<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:54px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Frank Davis, Esq. and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Jeff Leslie,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">E</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">sq.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Ogletree</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">_</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Deakins</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, Dallas, TX and Arthur Sa</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">pp</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">er. Esq.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Ogletree<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Deakins</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Washington</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>D.C. as Counsel for Respondent<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Before:</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">First<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Judge Patrick B. Augustine, U. S. Administrative<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Law Judge<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">DECISION AND<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">ORDER</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">ON<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">THE PARTIES’ CROSS-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">MOTION</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">S</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">I.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">P</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">rocedural History and Background</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">One of Respondent’s employees was seriously injured while cutting a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">shoulder roast</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>with a Biro meat-cutting band saw. According to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the employee</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, the meat turned while he was cutting it, pulling his hand into the saw and causing a substantial laceration to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">his hand</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. The employee told the CSHO he was abiding by Respondent’s so-called “Four-Inch” rule to avoid placing his hand in the zone of danger created by the band saw, which could not otherwise be guarded at the point of operation. The employee, however, was not using the push guard, which is attached to the table, to hold the meat in place while he cut it.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Complainant initiated an inspection in response to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the incident described above</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. During its inspection, Complainant discovered Respondent had been previously cited<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">four</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>times for laceration and amputation injuries its employees suffered while using a meat-cutting band saw. Based on its inspection, Complainant issued to Respondent a willful citation under 29 C.F.R. § 1910.212(a)(3)(iii)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”section</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>212(a)(3)(iii)”)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, because Respondent failed to provide its employees with proper tools or equipment to prevent their hands from contacting the point of operation or entering the danger zone.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Resp’t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Motion for Summary Judgment</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at Ex. A.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>At the close of discovery, each party moved for summary judgment claiming they were entitled to judgment as a matter of law.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref1" href="#ftn1">1</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Respondent contends Complainant cited a standard that does not apply because it does not mandate the use of hand tools but instead institutes requirements for those tools if they are used. Complainant, on the other hand, contends the cited standard explicitly requires the use of hand tools under the set of facts presented here, which involves a piece of machinery whose point of operation cannot be feasibly guarded. Respondent seeks to vacate the citation, claiming the plain language of the standard requires it. Complainant, on the other hand, asserts the citation—from applicability to characterization—should be affirmed in its entirety as a matter of law.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The crux of this case is the proper meaning of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(3)(iii). Based on the undisputed facts and the analysis provided below, the Court finds the standard does not apply, nor was it violated, as a matter of law. The plain language of the standard does not require the use of hand tools, as argued by Complainant, but only mandates they be “such as to permit easy handling of material without the operator placing a hand in the danger zone” and that they can only be used<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">to supplement protection already required by 29 C.F.R. § 1910.212(a)(3)(ii)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(“section 212(a)(3)(ii)”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. This understanding of the standard is supported by decisions of the Commission and Fifth Circuit Court of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">A</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ppeals, to which this case could be appealed, and Complainant’s own guidance documents, which highlight the way in which the tools discussed in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(3)(iii) supplement the primary guarding requirement but<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">give</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>no indication whatsoever such tools are mandatory. Further, as illustrated in Complainant’s own guidance documents, the Court also finds the “tool” to which Complainant refers is not a tool as understood by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(3)(iii) but is instead a guard subject to the requirements of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(3)(ii). Accordingly, Citation 1, Item 1 shall be</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">VACATED</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">II.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Stipulations and Jurisdiction</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Based on the Complaint and Answer submitted in this case, the parties have submitted to the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Commission’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">jurisdiction over this proceeding under § 10(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. § 659(c) (“Act”).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Resp’t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Motion for Summary Judgment<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">at Ex. B & C.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Further,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">admitted it is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>an employer engaged in a business affecting commerce within the meaning of § 3(5) of the Act, 29 U.S.C. § 652(5).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">B</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ased on the above, the Court<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">finds it has jurisdiction over this matter<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">p</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">u</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">rsuan</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to section 10(c)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the Act</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. Further, the Court finds it has jurisdiction over<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">this matter<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">under section 10(c</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">) by the timely filing of a Notice of Contest by Respondent.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The Court further finds Respondent was an e</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">mployer engaged in business</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and commerce affecting interstate commerce within the meaning of section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">3(3) and 3(5) of the Act.29 U.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">S.C. §</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">§</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">652(3) and (5).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">III.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Summary Judgment Standard</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Summary judgment is appropriate if the pleadings, the discovery and disclosure materials on file, and any affidavits show there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">he movant is<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">entitled to judgment as a matter of law. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Fed. R. Civ. P. 56. The Supreme Court has held a party seeking summary judgment always bears the initial responsibility of informing the court of the basis for its motion and demonstrating the absence of a genuine issue of material fact as to the issue(s) raised. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Celotex Corp. v.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Catrett</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986). A fact is material only if it might affect the outcome of the case, and thus precludes the entry of summary judgment. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">In deciding a motion for summary judgment, the Court is required to resolve all ambiguities, and credit all factual inferences that could rationally be drawn, in favor of the nonmoving party. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. at 255. If there is any evidence in the record from which a reasonable inference in favor of the nonmoving party can be drawn, summary judgment is improper. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Celotex</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 477 U.S. 317. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Conversely, if a review of the entire record could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the nonmoving party, there is no genuine issue for trial and summary judgment is appropriate. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Matsushita Elec. Ind. Co. Ltd. v. Zenith Radio Corp</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">., 475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986). The judge’s function in summary judgment cases is to determine whether there are genuine, material, disputed issues for trial; it is not to weigh the evidence. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Anderson</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 477 U.S. at 249</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">;</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">see also<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">St. Luke’s Methodist Hosp. v. Thompson</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 182 F. Supp. 2d 765 (N.D. Iowa 2001),<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">aff’d</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 315 F.3d 984 (8th Cir. 2003)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(w</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">here litigants concurrently pursue summary judgment, each motion must be evaluated independently to determine whether there exists genuine dispute of material fact and whether movant is entitled to judgment as matter of law</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">IV.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Discussion<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">and Analysis</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">As stated above,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">contends Complainant cannot, as a matter of law, prove</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>its<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">prima facie<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">case. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Specifically, Respondent argues Complainant cannot prove</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>either that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">standard applies</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or that it</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was violated</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref2" href="#ftn2">2</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "> Essentially, Respondent contends the plain language of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(3)(iii) only mandates what is required<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">if<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools are used to feed or remove stock from a machine with an exposed point</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">operation. Complainant, on the other hand, argues the standard requires the use of hand tools when there is no feasible guarding mechanism for a machine’s point of operation.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The Court agrees with Respondent for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">three</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>reasons. First, the plain language of the cited standard is clear its application is contingent on the decision whether to use hand-feeding tools and is not mandatory in and of itself. Second, Commission and circuit court decisions support this reading of the cited standard. Finally, Complainant’s own interpretive and guidance materials<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">not only<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">illustrate the non-mandatory nature of the cited standard but also<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">indicate Complainant is being inconsistent by referring to the push guard attached to the Biro band saw as a hand-feeding tool subject to the requirements of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(3)(iii). </span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:144px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:144px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; padding-right:20px;">i.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Plain Language</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant alleged a willful violation in Citation 1, Item 1 as follows:<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(iii): Special hand tools for placing and removing material(s) was [sic] not provided to permit easy handling of material without the operator placing a hand in the danger zone.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">At this workplace, employees cutting meat with a vertical band saw were not provided adequate tool(s) and/or equipment to prevent their hands from contracting [sic] the point of operation or entering the danger zone.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Citation and Notification of Penalty<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">at 6.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>While<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the foregoing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is how Complainant characterizes the requirements of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(3)(iii), the actual language of the cited standard is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as follows</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">:<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Special<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for placing and removing material shall be such as to permit easy handling of material without the operator placing a hand in the danger zone. Such<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">tools shall not be in lieu of other guarding required by this<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section, but</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>can only be used to supplement protection provided.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ection<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(3)(iii). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant contends this language explicitly requires the use of special<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>if the point of operation cannot be feasibly guarded. The Court finds this is a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">generous interpretation of the standard. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Interestingly, Complainant does not appear to suggest he is engaging in interpretation at all; rather, it appears Complainant believes the plain language of the standard requires the use of special<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. Because the Court finds otherwise, a review of the proper analysis of regulatory interpretation is appropriate.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The first step in ascertaining the meaning of a standard is the language of the provision. If there is no ambiguity in the provision, “[t]hen the regulation just means what it means—and the court must give it effect, as the court would any law.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Kisor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>v.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Wilkie</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>139 S. Ct. 2400, 2415 (2019)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. “[I]f there is only one reasonable construction of a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">regulation—then a court has no business deferring to any other reading, no matter how much the agency insists it would make more sense. Deference in that circumstance would “permit the agency, under the guise of interpreting a regulation, to create<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">de facto</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a new regulation.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(citing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Christensen</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>v. Harris County</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 529 U.S</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. 576,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">588</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(2000)). The determination of whether an ambiguity exists is not limited to a reading of the standard itself, but also requires the court to exhaust the traditional tools of construction, including the text, structure, and history of the disputed regulation.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(citing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. National Resources Defense Council, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 467 U.S. 837 (1984)). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">First off, the Court finds there are two mandates within the cited standard: (1) special<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“shall<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">be such as to permit easy handling of material without the operator placing a hand in the danger zone</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”, and (2) special<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">shall not be in lieu of other guarding required by this section</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(3)(iii). Neither of those mandates indicate when or even whether special<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>are required to be used in the first instance. In other words, the language of the standard<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">does not say, “Special<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">shall<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">be used when point of operation guarding is not feasible, etc.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Instead, the standard indicates requirements for the design of the tools and a prohibition against using<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">those tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as an alternative to the safeguarding mandated by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(3)(ii</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">). It says nothing about the use of such tools being mandatory under any circumstances.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Indeed, when compared to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(a)(3)(ii) and other standards under<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">29</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>C</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.F.R.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">§ 1910.212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(“section 212”)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the conditional nature of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) becomes clearer.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref3" href="#ftn3">3</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The other standards under<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212 all follow a similar pattern:<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">1910.212(a)(1): “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">One or more methods of machine guarding<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">shall be provided</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. . . .</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">” (emphasis added)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">1910.212(a)(2):<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Guards<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">shall be affixed to the machine</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>where possible and secured elsewhere if for any reason attachment to the machine is not possible.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(emphasis added)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">1910.212(a)(3)(ii):<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The point of operation of machines whose operation exposes an employee to injury,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">shall be guarded</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">” (emphasis added)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">1910.212(a)(4):<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Revolving drums, barrels, and containers<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">shall be guarded</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>by an enclosure which is interlocked with the drive mechanism, so that the barrel, drum, or container cannot revolve unless the guard enclosure is in place.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(emphasis added)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">1910.212(a)(5):<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">When the periphery of the blades of a fan is less than seven (7) feet above the floor or working level, the blades<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">shall be guarded</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">” (emphasis added)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">1910.212(b):</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Machines designed for a fixed location<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">shall be securely anchored</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to prevent walking or moving.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">” (emphasis added)</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Each of the foregoing standards either imparts a blanket requirement that equipment shall be guarded, or the standard indicates the conditions under which a guard or other<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">protective measure shall be required.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Section</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii), on the other hand, is more like the second sentence of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(2), which states, “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The guard shall be such that it does not offer an accident hazard<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">in itself.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">” </span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Both<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) and the second sentence of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(2) discuss how the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and guards “shall be”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">—i.e., their condition or function—b</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ut neither mandate</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>use of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or guards.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The second sentence of the cited standard only serves to bolster the plain meaning of the first sentence. It states, “Such tools shall not be in lieu of other guarding required by this<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section, but</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>can only be used to supplement protection provided.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Section</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(3)(iii).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The first clause of the second sentence indicates the primacy of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii), which is the “other guarding required by this section”, and specifically excludes special<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as being sufficient to provide the necessary protection. The second clause indicates such tools can only be used as a supplement to the guards required by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Just like the first sentence of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>section</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii), there is nothing in the second sentence requiring the use of special<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#333333; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Regardless of whether requiring the use of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>would be an intuitive and logical next step after being unable to feasibly comply with the primary guarding standard, the language of the standard simply does not impart such a requirement, nor can such a requirement be reasonably read into otherwise clear language. Instead, the term “supplement”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">indicates the purpose of such tools—to provide protection in addition to what is required</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and “can only be used” for that purpose.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Again, there is nothing mandatory about the second sentence of (a)(3)(ii</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">) save for the standard’s prohibition of using such tools as a substitute for a guard. The phrase “can only be used” connotes permission to use<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for a limited purpose but does not indicate their use is required.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>When read as a whole, and in conjunction with the other standards under<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the Court finds the meaning of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) to be clear. There is nothing in the standard that requires the use of special tools; instead, there are only requirements for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">how a special tool should protect the employee and that such a tool cannot be used as an alternative to the primary guarding<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">required by</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>section</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii). Every other standard<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">uses</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“shall” to indicate when</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">/where</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a guard is required.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">generally<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212. In some instances, the standard indicates a condition</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">—i.e.,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">when a fan’s blades are less than 7 feet above the floor—for a guard to be required</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See id.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">§ 1910.212(a)(5). In others, the standard indicates what to do if compliance cannot be achieved using the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">prescribed method.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See id.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">§ 1910.212(a)(2).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "> The same is true for a parallel standard under § 1910.213(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">), which governs the guarding requirements for woodcutting bandsaws, specifically. In each of the three subparagraphs all the standards’ requirements were expressed using the word “shall”.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See id.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">§ 1910.213(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>As illustrated above, and discussed in more detail in the next section, the primary guarding requirement</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">are</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">sections<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(1) & (a)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(3)(ii)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. There is no conditional or exceptional language within<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">those</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>standard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">and yet Complainant<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">has<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">historically recognized the inability to guard a point of operation in all instances and, thus, developed interpretive workarounds, including guarding by distance,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">to account for pieces of equipment, such as a bandsaw, that cannot be guarded at the point of operation.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Workers from Amputations, OSHA 3170 (2001),<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">available at</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">www.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">osha.gov</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. Complainant indicated as much in its Response to Respondent’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Motion</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, when it argues that a special hand</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">tool “completes” the guarding process. Insofar as special<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>complete the guarding process, we are not talking about the requirements of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii); instead, we are discussing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">alternative methods, other than a traditional “guard”, to comply with</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>section</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(a)(1) and</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(a)(3)(ii). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Guarding by distance “completes” the guarding process in a similar, if not identical, fashion:<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Complainant permits manipulating a piece of stock</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>by hand on a machine</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>with an unguarded point of operation so long as<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the stock being worked upon is sufficiently long to provide an adequate distance buffer between the point of operation and an employee’s hand</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">id</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Perhaps this is due to the breadth of the primary guarding standard—</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(1)—which discusses “guarding methods” that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">appear to run the gamut from actual barriers to device</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s designed to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>keep your hands out of the danger zone</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>by how they operate or by killing power</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to the machine</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">See 29 C.F.R. § 1910</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(1).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">This is how Complainant reads the standard, as its own guidance indicates “guarding by location or distance and by feeding methods” are “other methods” to safeguard machines.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Workers from Amputations, OSHA 3170 (2001),<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">available at</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">www.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">osha.gov</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. Indeed, this understanding appears in Complainant’s Response, wherein Complainant recognizes there are alternative methods by which<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">guarding</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>can be completed.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Compl’t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Response to HEB’s Motion for Summary Judgment</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">9.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Citing the guidance previously mentioned by the Court, Complainant<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">points out the alternative scenarios under which distance,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, or simple guarding might be ways for an employer to achieve</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(or “complete”)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>compliance with its guarding obligation under either<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(1) or<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">This understanding of “alternative” methods of guarding, as it were, lends support to the plain reading of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii), discussed above. The plain language of the cited standard does not mandate the use of special<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as a general proposition or under a set of specified circumstances but only mandates what they must achieve if they are used. The bigger requirement, or “shall” as it were, under</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) is the prohibition against using special<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as the sole method of guarding.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Contrary to Complainant’s assertion, Respondent is not arguing the foregoing methods are unnecessary or otherwise not required under certain circumstances. What Respondent is arguing is that paragraph<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) is not the method by which to hold it accountable. Instead, as the plain language, supplemented by Complainant’s own interpretations and guidance,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">indicates,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) merely requires any tool used to feed or retrieve stock to/from the point of operation to be adequate for its purpose and prohibits such a tool from being the sole method of guarding a point of operation.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The tools discussed in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) may be used when literal compliance with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii) is not fully achievable, but that does not mean an employer is no longer obligated to comply with the guarding requirements of the standard. T</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">he appropriate vehicle for liability would be<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">sections<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(1) or (a)(3)(ii), depending on whether the term “guard” as used in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii) includes the guarding methods referenced in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(1) and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">expanded upon in Complainant’s “Safeguarding Equipment” guidance.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Based on the foregoing, the Court finds<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the requirements of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) are clear based on the text and structure of the provision. The Court’s citation to Complainant’s guidance only serve</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to show Complainant’s published materials support this conclusion. While<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) has mandatory elements, its purpose is to serve as a means through which guarding under<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">sections 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(1) or (a)(3)(ii) is completed or supplemented, not as a directive to use those means.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:144px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:144px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; padding-right:20px;">ii.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Case Law</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The foregoing reading is supported by both the Commission and Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, both of whom have characterized<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) as conditional upon the actual use of special<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. While Complainant suggests the Commission views<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) as commanding the use of special<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, the case upon which<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">he</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>relies was issued by an ALJ, which has no binding effect on this Court. Nonetheless, the Court shall discuss all cases</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>– those cited by the parties and other</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>identified by the Court</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>–<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>both</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>illustrate<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the Court’s and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent’s reading of the standard is correct</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>courts have been fairly consistent in their treatment of the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>standard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>since it<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">was first promulgated.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref4" href="#ftn4">4</a></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">In<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Garrison & Associates, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, the Commission was asked whether an employer was properly cited under<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(3) for failing to provide point of operation guarding on its two press brakes.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">3 BNA OSHC 1110 (No. 4235, 1975). An employee was observed forming a piece of metal with his hands next to the point of operation, which was not guarded</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, though holding tools were provided</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>At the hearing OSHA argued the press brakes could be guarded by position, an area guard, dual controls, or a work rest.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The ALJ found the company could not possibly provide point of operation guarding and vacated the violation. The Commission reversed,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">holding guarding by position could be accomplished using the tools provided by the employer to hold small pieces of metal.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref5" href="#ftn5">5</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>For all intents and purposes, the facts of that case were nearly identical to those presented here insofar as Respondent supplies its employees with a “tool”</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref6" href="#ftn6">6</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that may or may not be used. In either case, the operative question<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">wa</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s whether guarding, as required by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">),</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">and</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>permitted by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii), ha</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">d</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>been provided.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">In<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Diebold</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, the Commission was confronted with a similar problem—the employer claimed impossibility of compliance with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii) on a press brake.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">3 BNA OSHC 1897 (No. 6767<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">et al</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 1976),<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">rev’d</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on other grounds</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 585 F.2d 1327 (6th Cir. 1978). The Commission recognized</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, at least in the case of press brakes, literal compliance with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii) would not be possible and cited to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Garrison</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">supra</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and another case, wherein it held compliance with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii) “can be achieved<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">by means such as hand tools and work rests which keep the hands of employees at a safe distance from the point of operation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "> Consistent with the Court’s analysis on the plain language of the cited standard, the Commission noted:<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">To the extent that these decisions were predicated on the inability<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the employers to use guarding devices, they are not inconsistent with 29 C.F.R. § 1910.212(a)(3)(iii), which provides that hand tools may only supplement, and not substitute for, the guarding devices required by § 1910.212(a)(3)(ii). Indeed, Complainant has recognized that, in the case of press brakes, guarding devices cannot always be used. He has therefore, since this case was tried and argued, adopted the policy that the inability of an employer to use a guarding device on a press brake shall be considered a de minimis violation<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">if</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>hand tools or other means are used to maintain a safe distance between the operator’s hands and the point of operation.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">12</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>This enforcement policy is for all practical purposes consistent with our decisions.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">13</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(citing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">OSHA Field Information Memorandum #75–46, CCH E.S.H.G. para. 9915 (July 17, 1975)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(emphasis in original</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "> In other words, not only did the Commission read the requirements of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">c</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">onditional and a method by which compliance could be achieved with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii), but Complainant published guidance consistent with that understanding.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">In fact, it appears Complainant published a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">field memorandum indicating that “if<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or other means are used to maintain a safe distance” then the violation would be considered<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">de minimis</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">If the use of hand tools qualified merely as a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">de minimis</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>violation of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii) under Complainant’s own, albeit old,</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref7" href="#ftn7">7</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>policy, the Court has a ha</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">r</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">d time<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">taking<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">seriously</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">his</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>attempts to suggest the use of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is somehow mandatory.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">In<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Southern Hens, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, a case hotly debated by both parties</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, OSHA visited a poultry processing plant after a woman suffered a severe injury on a rotating machine while attempting to clean it.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Southern Hens, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 930 F.3d 667</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. During the inspection that followed, the CSHO observed an</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">other</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employee cleaning an unguarded<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">conveyor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>with a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">tool and eventually his own hands.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "> It was this violation that led to the issuance of a citation pursuant to 29 C.F.R. § 1910.212(a)(1) and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>discussion of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii). Although<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) was not directly before the court, it nonetheless engaged in a discussion about it<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">because the employee used a tool to clean the unguarded conveyor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">he<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">company provided its employees with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to clean up<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">conveyors</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>but did not otherwise supply a guar</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">d. The court ultimately held the employer failed to prove the installation of a guard was infeasible and, thus, guarding by distance by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">using<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">a hand</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">tool was not permissible.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Both parties focus on a single paragraph within the decision to assert their version of the cited standard is the correct one. It reads as follows:</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Southern Hens’ best authority to the contrary is the OSHA guidance document cited above, but it is not much help. The guidance expresses only qualified approval of guarding by distance: “Operators can use tools to feed work pieces into equipment to keep their hands away from the point of operation, but this should be done only in conjunction with the guards and devices described previously.” Occupational Safety & Health Admin.,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Safeguarding</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Equipment</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. Also significant is the text of the standard itself, which provides that hand tools, if used, must “permit easy handling of material without the operator placing a hand in the danger zone” and “shall not be in lieu of other guarding required by this section, but can only be used to supplement protection provided.” 29 C.F.R. § 1910.212(a)(3)(iii). Southern Hens’ provision of the tool to Hunt satisfied neither condition.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at 680</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">-81. Respondent argues the Fifth Circuit’s use of the phrase “if used” indicates<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) is a conditional standard. In other words, it only applies if an employer chooses to use a hand</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">tool to feed and remove stock from a point of operation.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, on the other hand,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">argues the foregoing passage proposes a choice between guarding by physical guards, by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">distance, or through the use of hand tools, not a choice between using such preventative measures and providing no protection whatsoever.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The Court finds Respondent’s reading of the passage is the more sensible one. First, the term “if used” is used<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">specifically<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">in reference to hand tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, not a choice between guarding options.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref8" href="#ftn8">8</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Second, the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">c</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">ourt appears to make no distinction between the use of hand</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">tools and the concept of guarding by distance, which the court notes is given explicit approval in Complainant’s own guidance document. Third, the court uses the phrase “if used” after discussing Complainant’s guidance document, which states, “Operators<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">can use tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to feed work pieces into equipment to keep their hands away from the point of operation, but this should only be done in conjunction with the guards and devices described previously.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(emphasis added). In other words, the court recognized Complainant’s own guidance suggests the use of such tools are an<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">optional<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">method to comply with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(1) or (a)(3)(ii) and relied upon that guidance to characterize the requirements of the standard at issue in that case.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Complainant also contends the Commission has ruled<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) is mandatory in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Gen. Elec. Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">1979 WL 28941 (No. 77-4476, 1979) (ALJ Martin). There are three problems with this case. First, it is not a decision rendered by the Commission and, thus, has no precedential value. Second, the decision was ultimately vacated by the Commission, albeit on different grounds, and thus carries even less weight. Third, the ALJ concludes without analysis that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) was intended to be mandatory.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Without analysis, ALJ Martin’s decision carries little persuasive weight, and the Court refuses<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">in</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">vitation<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">to rely on it.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Ultimately, the case law cited above<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">–</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">as found<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">y the Fifth Circuit and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the Commission and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">which<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">has been consistent on a chronological timeframe -</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">is in accord with the plain reading<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">of the standard as non-mandatory. Further, that case law is predicated, in no small part, on Complainant’s own guidance and interpretations, which further highlight the conditional nature of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Those guidance and interpretations are discussed in more detail in the next section.</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:144px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:144px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; padding-right:20px;">iii.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Complainant’s Prior Guidance and Interpretations</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">There are two different documents the parties rely on in support of their motions for summary judgment: a 1977 Interpretive Letter sent to Vincent Biro, the manufacturer of the meat-cutting band saw at issue here, and Complainant’s guidance document, entitled “Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Workers from Amputations”.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref9" href="#ftn9">9</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "> Each of them, in varying degrees, supports the plain reading of the cited standard discussed above.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The 1977 Interpretive Letter issued to Vincent Biro was issued in response to Mr. Biro’s inquiries about the point of operation requirements on his meat-cutting band saws. Ultimately, OSHA responded that the saws should be governed<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">sections<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(1) and (a)(3)(ii).</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref10" href="#ftn10">10</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>After reviewing one of Biro’s saws in operation at a local supermarket, OSHA concluded:</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">That if<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">during the operation of the bandsaw the safeguards provided by your company with respect to the working portion of the saw blade and the band wheels together with the tension device are used, maintained, and properly adjusted to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">insure</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>no portion on the saw blade is exposed except the working portion between the bottom of the guide rolls (gage) and the table, it meets the intent of 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1) and (3)(iii).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The Point of Operation Guarding on the Biro Power Meat Cutters (bandsaws), Standard Interpretations, Letter to Vincent Biro (October 11, 1977). Based on OSHA’s observations, it determined the saw, with included safeguards</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>met the intent<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>sections</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(1) and (3)(iii).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">First, the Court believes the reference to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(3)(iii) is a typo</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. In the paragraph prior to the one cited above, OSHA was discussing compliance with</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>sections 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(1) and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii), which are the primary guarding standards under<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212. The reference to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) in this context does not make sense, especially since the original request was about point of operation guarding, which is governed both by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">sections 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(1) and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii). Second, OSHA’s conclusion regarding the sufficiency of the saw is incomplete, as there is no discussion as to the specific safeguards the Biro saw employed to protect against point of operation injuries.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref11" href="#ftn11">11</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Thus, this letter was of little assistance in ascertaining how Complainant historically interpreted<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The Safeguarding Equipment guidance, however, illustrated quite clearly how Complainant viewed the “requirements” of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">After a thorough discussion of primary safeguarding methods, the guidance document goes on to discuss “other ways” to safeguard machines, including “guarding by location or distance and by feeding methods that prevent operator access to the point of operation.” Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Workers from Amputations, OSHA 3170 (2001). Under the rubric of Safeguarding by Feeding Methods, the guidance answers the question, “Can Workers use Hand-Feeding Tools?”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "> The answer: “Operators<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">can</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>use<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">tools to feed work pieces into equipment to keep their hands away from the point of operation, but this should be done only in conjunction with the guards and devices described previously.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(emphasis added).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">In addition, the guidance also states such tools should be<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">stored near the machine to “encourage” their use</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">There is no mandate indicated in the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">guidance; only permission to use hand tools as an option and a prohibition against their use as the sole means of protection.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>A review of Complainant’s guidance and interpretive documents indicate there is no requirement to use hand tools in order to comply with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(3)(iii). In fact, the guidance is designed to assist employers with the methods and tools they need to use to comply with the principal guarding requirements, such as §§ 1910.212(a)(1), (a)(3)(ii), and many other, more specific guarding requirements under Subpart O. The fact the Safeguarding guidance document was relied upon by the Commission and circuit cour</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">t, a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">s in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Diebold</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Southern Hens</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, suggests this understanding of the standard is not only the correct one, but also one Complainant has previously relied on.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">In addition to the foregoing, the guidance document and interpretive letter also serve an additional purpose: illustrating the piece of equipment Complainant is here characterizing as a hand-feeding tool is, in fact, a guard.</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:144px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:144px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; padding-right:20px;">iv.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">The “Hand tool” is Actually a Guard</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Separate and apart from the dispute over whether<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) requires the use of hand tools in situations such as this, the Court is somewhat<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">confused</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>by Complainant’s insistence the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>piece of equipment at the center of this dispute</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is a hand tool.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The ‘tool’ at issue is an adjustable plate that can be used to hold meat in place on a portion of the table that slides past the band saw, allowing the meat to be sliced at a predetermined width.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See Secretary’s Motion for Summary Judgment<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">at 28. The plate, as shown in the photo, is attached to the table and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">creates a barrier between the employee’s hand and the point of operation of the band saw while cutting (assuming it is used).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Because the Court finds the push plate is a guard instead of a hand</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">tool, the Court finds this serves as an alternative basis upon which judgment should be granted as a matter of law.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Both the terms “guard” and “hand feeding tool” are defined</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>terms</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. § 1910.211. A guard is defined as “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">a barrier that prevents entry of the operator's hands or fingers into the point of operation.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>§ 1910.211(d)(32). A hand feeding tool, on the other hand, means “any<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">handheld</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>tool designed for placing or removing material or parts to be processed within or from the point of operation.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>§ 1910.211(d)(38).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>This understanding is reiterated in Complainant’s guidance, “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Workers from Amputations”. In fact, the guidance document not only discusses the purpose of a guard vis-à-vis a hand feeding tool,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">it</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>also provides illustrations that clearly indicate what is a guard and what is a hand feeding tool. The following images<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">from the guidance document<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">are illustrative:<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Figure 21 Typical Hand-Feeding Tools</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span> Figure 39 Stainless Steel Meat-Cutting Saw</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; ">
					<img style="" alt="Picture 2" height="151" width="201" src="HEB - 19-1832 ALJ Decision_files/image1.jpeg" xmlns="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/relationships"/><span><span></span>
					</span>
					<img style="" alt="Picture 5" height="191" width="217" src="HEB - 19-1832 ALJ Decision_files/image2.jpeg" xmlns="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/relationships"/>
				</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Comparing the foregoing images to the picture of the meat-cutting saw at issue in this case, the Court is even more convinced<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(3)(iii) does not apply to the ‘tool’ that is the subject of this case. Figure 39 shows a meat-cutting saw that is basically the same as the one at issue in this case. The labels affixed to that figure show<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the guidance published by Complainant</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>refers to the ‘tool’ as a ‘pushing guard’. This makes perfect sense because the definition of ‘guard’ refers to “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">a barrier that prevents entry of the operator's hands or fingers into the point of operation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.” 29<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">C.F.R. § 1910.21</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">1(d)(32). Not only does the push guard provide a barrier that, if used properly, prevents entry of the operator’s hands into the saw, but it is also “affixed to the machine” as required by 29 C.F.R. § 1910.212(a)(2). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>On the other hand, Figure 21, which provides an illustration of typical hand-feeding tools, shows a bunch of hand-held clamps, tweezers, and other instruments that are neither barriers nor affixed to the machine in the same manner as the pushing guard shown on page 28 of Complainant’s Motion for Summary Judgment. Those tools are clearly designed to be held by the operator of the machine</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and, by their appearance, show exactly why the language of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) is concerned with (1) ensuring they are of sufficient size and appropriate shape to ensure the employee’s hand does not enter the zone of danger; and (2) why they are, on their own, insufficient to comply with an employer’s guarding obligations under<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>The Court finds the push guard attached to the meat-cutting saw at issue in this case is a guard, not a special hand tool used to feed or retrieve meat from the point of operation. The parties do not dispute the existence of the push guard, nor do they dispute how it is used. Thus, the Court’s determination is one of law, not fact. Because the push guard is not a hand-feeding tool, its use is not governed by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212(a)(3)(iii</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">), but</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is instead governed by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">sections 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii) or<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(1). On this basis, the Court finds the standard does not apply, nor was it violated, as a matter of law.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">V.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Conclusion</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The Court’s responsibility on a motion for summary judgment is two-fold: (1) determine whether there exists a dispute of material fact, and (2) decide whether the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. In so deciding, the Court does not weigh the evidence presented;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">it merely determines whether a rational trier of fact could find for the non-moving party. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">In this case, the Court finds the law dictates<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the citation be vacated.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Contrary to Complainant’s arguments, a determination that</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) is not mandatory by its own terms does not leave employers with the option to simply not provide<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">guarding or protection. Instead, what is at issue here is whether<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) is the proper standard by which to hold employers responsible when physical point of operation guards<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">are</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>not feasible. Given Complainant’s guidance and interpretations, it appears the appropriate standards to cite are either<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">sections 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii) or<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(1). Complainant has determined, when all other options have been exhausted, guarding by distance is appropriate for compliance with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">sections 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii) or</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(1). One option for achieving compliance would be using a tool that complies with the requirements set forth in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) insofar as it is not the only method being used to guard against contact with the point of operation. Such tools allow guarding by distance by placing the employees hand outside of the danger zone and away from the point of operation.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Ultimately, this case was about whether Respondent achieved proper guarding on its band saw</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, which should have been cited under<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">sections 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(1) or<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(ii). Had Respondent used hand tools,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii) would have been applicable insofar as the tool used was insufficient for maintaining proper guarding by distance or if it<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">were</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>being used as the sole means of protection from the danger zone. As noted by Complainant, nearly every other moving part<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">on Respondent’s saw<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">that could feasibly be guarded was guarded. Thus, the remaining question was how to complete the guard, not whether the hand tool (that should have been used) complied with the requirements supplied by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Further, this case was far simpler than Complainant made it out to be. As discussed in the final section, the push guard—although a ‘tool’ in the most general sense—was not a hand tool (1) under the definition provided in part 1910.211, (2) according to the plain language of the standard, or (3) according to Complainant’s own guidance documents. The real question in this and any guarding case is whether adequate guarding was provided. The meat-cutting saw had an attached</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">, adjustable</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>guard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">the use of which appears to be required by</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>sections 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(1) and (a)(3)(ii), both of which mandate the use of guards to prevent contact with the point of operation. Instead, Complainant fixated on<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">section 212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(3)(iii), which only provides conditions for—but does not require—the use of hand tools.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">VI.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">ORDER</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Based on the foregoing, the Court finds Respondent is entitled to judgment as a matter of law</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">. Complainant’s Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED. Respondent’s Cross Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on the basis set forth above. All other grounds raised by Respondent</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in its Cross Motion for Summary Judgment are DENIED.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">The Court<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">hereby VACATES Citation 1, Item 1 and the associated penalty.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:6.667px; margin-bottom:6.667px; line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">S</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">O</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>ORDERED</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">/s/</span><span style="font-size:22pt; font-family:Brush Script MT; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Brush Script MT; font-size:22pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span>Patrick B. Augustine</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Date:</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">February 1, 2021</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Patrick B. Augustine</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Denver, Colorado</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">First<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Judge,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">Denver<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; ">OSHRC</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<hr/>"
      <div>
				<p>
					<a name="ftn-1" href="#ftnref-1"></a> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p>
					<a name="ftn0" href="#ftnref0"></a> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn1" href="#ftnref1"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">1 </span></a>. Respondent styled its motion as “Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings or, in the Alternative, Motion for Summary Judgment”. Because Respondent submitted evidence in support of its motion, it is<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">de facto</span><span><span></span>
					</span>considered a motion for summary judgment.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span>Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(d).<span><span></span>
					</span>Motions for Judgment on the pleadings are limited to the four corners of the pleadings themselves.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn2" href="#ftnref2"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">2 </span></a>. Respondent also asserts multiple other bases upon which summary judgment can be granted; however, since the Court finds these two elements sufficient to vacate the citation, it need not address the remaining bases.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn3" href="#ftnref3"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">3 </span></a>. Although the standard is not explicitly expressed in the conditional “if”, the Court uses the term ‘conditional’ because, as will be discussed later with regard to applicable case law, other courts have also seen the requirements of section (a)(3)(iii) as conditioned upon whether special hand tools were used.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">See Southern Hens</span>, 930 F.3d 667 (5th Cir, 2019).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn4" href="#ftnref4"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">4 </span></a>. In fact, the standard was promulgated as part of the initial tranche of National Consensus and/or established Federal standards brought over when the Act was first passed. Thus, not only has it been an established standard for nearly 50 years, but it has very little in the way of explanatory preamble.<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span>Occupational Safety and Health Standards, 36 Fed. Reg. 10466 (May 29, 1971).<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn5" href="#ftnref5"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">5 </span></a>.<span>
					</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">T</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">his was not only the position of the Commision, but also appears to be the interpretation espoused by OSHA at trial.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn6" href="#ftnref6"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">6 </span></a>. The Court uses quotation marks to note its disagreement with Complainant’s contention that the push plate in question is a special handtool as described in section 212(a)(3)(iii). Rather, as will be discussed later in the section on Complainant’s guidance and interpretations, the Court finds the push plate is, in fact, a guard under the definition provided by the standard and as indicated in the various diagrams included in Complainant’s guidance materials.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn7" href="#ftnref7"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">7 </span></a>. While the<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; ">Diebold<span>
						</span></span>case is old, it is also worth noting the standard at issue has been around even longer, without any revision. Although Complainant has updated its guarding guidance since that time, as will be discussed below, the guidance both now and in the past use permissive language in describing the use of hand tools and at no time indicate their use is required.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn8" href="#ftnref8"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">8 </span></a>. Even if the phrase “if used” were employed in the manner suggested by Complainant, it would not benefit his case, as it would similarly suggest (a)(3)(iii) is not mandatory, but merely an option for compliance.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn9" href="#ftnref9"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">9 </span></a>. The guidance cited by the parties is dated 2001; however, there is also a newer version of the document that was produced in 2007. For the most part, these documents are the same, save for the insertion of hyperlinks.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText ">
					<a name="ftn10" href="#ftnref10"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">10 </span></a>. OSHA noted woodworking bandsaws are governed by section 213(i); however, it noted because all bandsaws operate in the same manner, a saw that complies with section 213(i) also complies with section 212.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn11" href="#ftnref11"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">11 </span></a>.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>That said, as will be discussed in the final section on whether the standard was violated, the Court believes it is likely the OSHA representatives observed the attached push guard being used to hold the meat in place.<span><span></span>
					</span>In that respect there was no need to discuss section 212(a)(3)(iii), because OSHA determined the push guard was, in fact, a guard rather than a hand tool as described in section 212(a)(3)(iii).<span>
					</span></p>
			</div></div></body>
</html>