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		<TITLE> CWP ASSET CORP., D/B/A MISTER CAR WASH., Docket No. 17-1483</TITLE>
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				<p style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="color:#00B050; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; text-decoration:underline ;">Some personal identifiers have been redacted for privacy purposes.</span></p>
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				<p style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">United States of America</span></p>
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				<p style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION<span>
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							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">SECRETARY OF LABOR,<span>
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							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> Complainant,</span></p>
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							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> v. </span></p>
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							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">OSHRC Docket No. 17-1483</span></p>
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							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">CWP ASSET CORP., D/B/A MISTER CAR WASH</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span></p>
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							<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> Respondent.</span></p>
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				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Appearances:</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-left:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Josh Bernstein</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">, Esq., U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Dallas, Texas</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">,</span></p>
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				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">For Complainant</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-left:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Travis Odom, Esq., Littler Mendelson, P.C., Houston, Texas</span></p>
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				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">F</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">or Respondent</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span></p>
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				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Be</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">fore: Administrativ</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">e Law Judge<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">Peggy S. Ball</span></p>
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				<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:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">DECISION AND ORDER</span></p>
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			<p style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">I.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Procedural History</span></p>
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				<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:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">On<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">June 8, 2017</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">one of Respondent’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>hospitalized after<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he got his foot</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>caught in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>chain and</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>sprocket of a car conveyor system at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">one of Respondent’s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>car</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">wash</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>locations</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">El Paso, Texas</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">A couple of days later</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Complainant sent Compliance Safety and Health Officer,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Rafael Guerrero</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, to conduct an inspection of the worksite. CSHO<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Guerrero</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>conducted an inspection that lasted</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">three</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>days</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, during which time<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>observed Respondent’s work practices, conducted interviews, and did some independent research of the car wash industry. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">116, 127–28</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). At the conclusion of his inspection, CSHO<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Guerrero</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>recommended, and Complainant approved, a single-item Citation and Notification of Penalty. </span></p>
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				<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:12pt; ">The Citation alleges Respondent<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">violated 29 C.F.R. § 1910.212</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(a)(1)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>by failing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to adeq</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">uately guard the sprocket and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">chain</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for the car conveyor, which<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">were</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>located under</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a trap door</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in the car wash tunnel. (Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Respondent filed a Notice of Contest, arguing that the existing guard was adequate and that the injured employee’s actions<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">were<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the result of unpreventable employee misconduct. The Notice of Contest initiated the present matter, which was assigned to Simplified Proceedings by the Chief Administrative Law Judge on<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">October 6, 2017</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref2" href="#ftn2">1</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>This matter was initially assigned to Administrative Law Judge John H. Schumacher, who is no longer with the Commission. The case was re-assigned to the undersigned on<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">December 14, 2017</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span></p>
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				<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:12pt; ">A one-day trial was held on<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">June 7, 2018,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">El Paso, Texas</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. The following people testified:<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(1)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the injured employee; (2</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">) Alfred</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Murillo, a supervisor at the worksite; (3) CSHO Rafael Guerrero; (4) Juan Espinosa, general manager of the worksite; and (5) Edgar Morales, Respondent’s regional manager</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. At the conclusion of the trial, the parties opted to submit post-trial briefs in lieu of closing on the record as provided for in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Commission Rule<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">200</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">§</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>2200.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">200(b)(6)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The parties timely submitted their post-trial briefs, which the Court has reviewed, along with the record evidence and relevant case law. </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:12pt; ">Based on what follows, the Court finds</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Respondent placed its employees close to the hazard<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">by shifting<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">its<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">drying operations inside the car wash bay</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">By so doing, the Court finds it was reasonably predictable Respondent’s employees would be in the zone of danger</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>created by the void over the conveyor’s sprocket and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">chain</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Because<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the change in work practice</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>moved its<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">employees closer to the hazard,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent had a commensurate responsibility to ensure any<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ingoing nip points or rotating parts</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>were adequately protected</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. §<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1910.212(a)(1). It failed to do so</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>will be illustrated in more detail below,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the Court finds C</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">omplainant established a serious violation of the guarding standard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">II.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Stipulations</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
					</span>& 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:12pt; ">As indicated in their joint stipulation statement</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he parties<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">agree</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the Commission has</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>jurisdiction over this proceeding</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>pursuant to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">section</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>10(c) of the Act, 29 U.S.C. § 659(c)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>an employer engaged in</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a business affecting commerce within the meaning of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">section</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>3(5)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of the Act, 29 U.S.C. § 652(5).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Slingluff</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>v. OSHRC</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 425 F.3d 861 (10th Cir. 2005).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> The remaining stipulation merely indicates the parties agree Complainant alleges a violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1910.212(a)(1).</span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">III.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Factual 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:12pt; ">Approximately<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">three</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>years prior to the events<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>this case,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">made</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a change</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">way</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>its employees dried cars.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Previously</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, employees waited outside the car wash bay as the customer drove their vehicle off the end of the conveyor and parked it in the drying area. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">152</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Once</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the car was parked, the employees moved around the perimeter of the stationary car to hand dry it as the last part of the car wash process. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">62, 103</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Now</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">car drying occurs</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>inside<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the last portion of the car wash bay, right before the end of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">car conveyor system</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref3" href="#ftn3">2</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">62, 103</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">13 at 13, 22, C-24, C-25</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As a result of this</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>move</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, employees</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>were taught how to dry vehicles using a process called side-drying</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, which<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">required</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>em</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ployees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to clean the front, back, and sides of a vehicle<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">while positioned along</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">side of the vehicle</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref4" href="#ftn4">3</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">70, 103–104, 174–75</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). This</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">procedure was implemented</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">because</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employees were working on either side of a conveyor system designed to move cars.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">103–104</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; 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; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The conveyor system uses a series of rollers that push a vehicle (in neutral gear) along a track. (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Tr. 152;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>C-13 at 12–15,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-19, C-20</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Once the vehicle exits the track, the rollers that were pushing the car move downward into a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">hole</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in the floor at the end of the track. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">169</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-13 at 22–24</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Beneath the hole<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">are a sprocket and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">chain</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for the ca</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">r conveyor system. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">123</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). The</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>hole</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is equipped</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>with a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">trap door</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, which is designed to be pushed back by the incoming roller and return to its original position once the roller has gone back underground. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">124</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>While the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">trap door<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is waiting to receive rollers</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">it sits roughly</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>two-and-one-half</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>inches</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>back</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">from th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e end of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">guides that hold the rollers above ground</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, creating the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">aforementioned<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">hole</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">124</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-13 at 12–15, C-24, C-25</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>This gap increases to roughly six inches<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">once the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">door<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is pushed backwards by an incoming set of rollers</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">returns</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to its original size once the rollers have gone through</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">124–125</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex. C-13 at 12–15, C-24, C-25</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> According to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, this happens approximately once every<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">few</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>seconds, depending on<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the speed of the conveyor. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">45</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; 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; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Depending on who was testifying, the rationale<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">provided<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">shifting the drying operation indoors, and its impact on safety, was different</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. According to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">employees</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, like<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and Murillo,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">y believed the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>change was<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">grounded in production and efficiency, because<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the time required to dry the cars was reduced</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and controllable</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">40,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">83</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>believe</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">d this was the case because Respondent had to process both<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">customers who<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">had already paid</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for a monthly membership and those<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">who</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>prefer</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">red</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to pay<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">on per-wash basis</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">84).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">This was echoed by Murillo, who testified that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent’s area manager introduced the change<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">as a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">way to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>speed up the drying process. (Tr. 102–103).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Regardless of what they believe or what they were told, both<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and Murillo agreed the process<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">felt more dangerous</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>because<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the cars were</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>no longer</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">stationary as the employees were drying them</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Tr. 40, 62, 103).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">According to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">management</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, however,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the change was precipitated by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">safety concerns.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Tr. 152). Specifically,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Espinosa</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>testified the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">move indoors placed employees in a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">cooler, sun-shaded environment and removed the hazards<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that come with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a car under a customer’s control.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref5" href="#ftn5">4</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">152–53</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; 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; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">With respect to the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">work practices</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, training,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and rules governing the drying process inside the bay,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the testimony was</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>somewhat of a mixed bag.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> All who testified admitted that it was against the rules to step onto the conveyor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">41</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">77</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>106,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">159</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The testimony was somewhat mixed, however, on the question of whether stepping<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">over</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the conveyor was an acceptable work practice.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">According to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the training video he watched said he was not supposed to step over the conveyor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">41</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> According to Espinosa, it<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>acceptable to step over or around the conveyor. (Tr. 159).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Morales testified that stepping over the conveyor is not preferred but admitted there was no rule against it. (Tr. 188). Further, even though everyone<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">agreed the floor<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in the area surrounding the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">trap door</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">could be slippery,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">which Respondent a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ttempted to remedy<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">by</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">using<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rubber mats</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref6" href="#ftn6">5</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and even</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">hough Respondent has rules regarding proper footwear for washing and drying employees,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">just about everyone agreed the rules regarding non-slip shoes were rarely enforced.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">46,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">105</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">157,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">161</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">–62</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; 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; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The foregoing inconsistencies in employees’</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>understanding of the rules and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in management’s enforcement of those rules</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was highlighted by the accident in this case. According to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the number of people allocated to drying vehicles<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">could</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e 2, 3, or 4</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, depending on the volume of cars traveling through</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the system</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the rate at which the conveyor<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is set</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, and the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">number of employees available</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref7" href="#ftn7">6</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">80–82</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 97</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">When three dryers were allocated</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>it would</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>result in an unequal number of dryers per vehicle side,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">placing one employee in the position of having to travel back and forth<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to opposite sides of the vehicles and, thus, the conveyor. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">187–88</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">When asked about training,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and Murillo both testified they were not trained on how to perform the job with an uneven number of dryers</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, there were no policies discussing how<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to dry with three dryers,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and further expressed that the training video<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">showed the process<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at the slowest speed they<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">were</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>likely to encounter</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(and thus<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">unlike how they actually perform their jobs).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">37–38</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 108</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-19, C-20</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<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:12pt; ">On the day of the accident, Respondent only assigned three people to perform drying duties. Included in this group was<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Tr. 31; Ex. C-24</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">In the video of the accident,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>finishe</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">d</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>up drying the driver’s side of a car that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">wa</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s getting ready to leave the conveyor and beg</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">an</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to move to the passenger side of the next car in the queue. (Tr. 32–33; Ex. C-24). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">A</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s he crossed over the conveyor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’ foot slipped into the hole, where</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>it became caught in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the conveyor’s sprocket and chain. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">34</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. C-24). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>suffered severe injuries</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>requiring hospitalization</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as a result of the accident. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">39</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Though he reviewed the video,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>could not recall how<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he got his foot stuck inside the hole</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr. 34).<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:12pt; ">Different members of Respondent’s management team were shown the video of wha</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was doing in the moments leading up to, and including, his injury.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Each had a different take on what, specifically</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>did wrong as he passed between the two sides of the conveyor<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">on a day where only three people were assigned to dry cars.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">According to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Espinosa</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the only thing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>did wrong was stepping backwards across the front of the oncoming vehicle</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; though even he admitted that it is not a violation of car wash safety rules</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">174</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). According<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Morales</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">violated the rules when he moved from one side of the car to the other</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">187</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Morales explained that each person is assigned to a side, where the front, sides, and back are dried</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">187</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). The third person is a floater of sorts, who touches up whatever is left unreached by the other two dryers. (Tr. 187).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">When asked to clarify</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>how that would be carried out in practice</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Morales</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>agreed it was acceptable to step over the conveyo</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">r while it was in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">operation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>but Respondent preferred that employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">avoid doing so.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Neither of the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">se so-called rules</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>are memorialized in any of Respondent’s safety materials, policies, or manuals. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">174, 188</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-15, C-17, C-18</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; 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; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Based on this incident, CSHO Guerrero recommended, and Complainant issued, a single-item Citation, alleging a violation of the guarding standard found at 29 C.F.R. § 1910.212(a)(1). </span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:72px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">IV.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Discussion</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:120px; text-indent:-1.27cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:120px; text-indent:-1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">A.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Citation 1, Item 1</span></p>
			<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-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant alleged a serious violation of the Act in Citation 1, Item 1 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; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">more</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">methods</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of machine guarding was</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>[sic]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips, and sparks:<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; text-indent:-1.27cm; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>On or about June 8, 2017, employer did not ensure that the rotating chain and sprocket located in the soft close drop door opening was properly guarded. This condition exposed employee to caught-between hazards.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Ex. C-1)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:6px; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">To establish a violation of an OSHA standard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>pursuant to Section 5(a)(2) of the Act</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">must<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">prove</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">: (1) the standard applies to the facts; (2) the employer failed to comply with the terms of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>standard; (3) employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">were exposed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to the hazard covered by the standard, and (4) the employer had actual or constructive knowledge of the violation (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">i.e.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the employer<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">knew</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>with the exercise of reasonable diligence</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>could have known of the violative condition).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Atlantic Battery Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#010101; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">16 BNA OSHC 2131, 2138 (No. 90-1747, 1994).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:6px; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant has the burden of establishing each element by a preponderance of the evidence.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See Hartford Roofing Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 17 BNA OSHC 1361 (No. 92-3855, 1995). “Preponderance of the evidence” has been defined as:<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; text-align:justify; margin-left:53.733px; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he greater weight of the evidence, not necessarily established by the greater number of witnesses testifying to a fact<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">but by evidence that has the most convincing force</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; superior evidentiary weight that, though not sufficient to free the mind wholly from all reasonable doubt, is still sufficient to incline a fair and impartial mind to one side of the issue rather than the other. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><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:12pt; ">Black’s Law Dictionary, “Preponderance of the Evidence” (10th ed. 2014) (emphasis added).</span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:168px; text-indent:-.952cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:168px; text-indent:-.952cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<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:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">The Cited Standard Applies<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">and Was Violated</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:12pt; ">Subpart O of Part 1910</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>applies to Machinery and Machine guarding. Complainant alleges Respondent’s employees were exposed to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the sprocket and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">chain</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>located below the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">trap door</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at the end of the car wash conveyor system</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. There is no dispute the conveyor belt<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is a machine within the meaning of the standard. Thus, the standard applies.<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:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he Court</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>also</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>finds the terms of the standard were violated.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">To prove a violation of the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>guarding</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>standard, Complainant must show<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“that a hazard within the meaning of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[1910.212(a)(1)]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>exists in the employer’s workplace.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Buffets, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>d/b/a Old Country Buffet</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">21 BNA OSHC<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1065 (No</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. 03-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2097,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2005)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">string cite</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>omitted).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>In practice, this requires<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“show[</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">]<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that employees are in fact<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">exposed to a hazard as a result of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">manner in which the machine functions and is operated.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(citing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Jefferson Smurfit</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Corp.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 15 BNA OSHC<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1419, 1421 (N</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">o.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">89-553, 1991))</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">It is insufficient for Complainant to merely show that it is “not impossible”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">for an employee to come into contact with the moving parts of a particular machine; instead,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">must show that it is reasonably predictable either by operational necessity or otherwise (including inadvertence),<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that employees have been, are, or will be in the zone of danger.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Fabricated Metal Prods.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">18 BNA OSHC<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1072 (No.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">93-1853,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1997)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(citing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Rockwell Int’l</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Corp.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">9 BNA OSHC 1082 (No.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">12470, 1980) &<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Gilles &<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Cotting</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3 BNA OSHC 2002</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(No. 504, 1976)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; 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; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Complainant contends<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the gap left between the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">trap door</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and the end of the conveyor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">—</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">whether in its normal position or while expanded</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">—</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">exposed Respondent’s employees to the hazard imposed by the sprocket and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">chain</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>located underneath</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">In support, Complainant points to the fact that an accident occurred in this case</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that the conditions surrounding the hole tended to be wet and slippery</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tha</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">work<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rules appeared to be inconsistently understood and enforced</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent contends that its conveyor policy, which prohibits stepping onto (and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">possibly</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>over) the conveyor belt while it is in operation, when combined with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">other safety measures like</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the retracting metal plate, is<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">sufficient</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to prevent exposure to the machinery below the hole in the floor.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Further, Respondent contends that</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">if a violation occurred,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">it</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was the result of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">unpreventable employee misconduct</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
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			<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:12pt; ">As highlighted by cases cited above, t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he key to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">this</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>case is whether</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Respondent’s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employees are exposed to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>hazard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>contemplated by the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>guarding</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>standard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> Just because an employer uses a machine with exposed parts does not automatically<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">impose a duty to guard.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See, e.g., Buffets, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 21 BNA OSHC 1065 (vacating citation because Complainant failed to show employees were exposed to moving parts</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>under normal operating conditions</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>If there is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>exposed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>machinery, but exposure is not reasonably predictable</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>given how the machinery works or how employees are expected to work around it</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, then there is no need to guard and no violation of the standard.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See, e.g.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Norman W Fries Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 2018 WL 4899174 (No. 17-0304, 2018 (ALJ Joys)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> Conversely, if it is reasonably predictable, through regular work practice or accident, that an<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">employee will be in the zone of danger created by the machine, then the employer is required to guard it.<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:12pt; ">As previously noted, t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he key event in this case was Respondent’s decision to move the drying operation inside the tunnel. Until that point, there was no concern about</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employee</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>exposure to the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">conveyor components beneath the trap door</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>because there were no employees working in proximity to it.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Thus, the guard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, if one existed at that time,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was adequate for its purpose.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>By moving the employees indoors,</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref8" href="#ftn8">7</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Respondent placed them closer to the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">sprocket and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">chain</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>l</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ocated beneath the trap door.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">At the very least</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Respondent increased the likelihood of exposure by moving its employees inside of the tunnel</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, closer to the conveyor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<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:12pt; ">B</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">oth operational necessity and inadvertence play</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a role<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in Respondent’s employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">being</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>exposed to the sprocket and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">chain</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of the conveyor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. By moving employees closer to the trap door, Respondent increased the likelihood of exposure because employees were now working proximate to the hole and could, by mistake, step<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">into it,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">which<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">happened in this case</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>T</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">his<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">possibility</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was exacerbated by additional factors: (1) the ground, as admitted by the employees who testified, was slippery around the trap door;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(2) Respondent did not enforce its rules regarding non-slip shoes;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">) the trap</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>door did not close completely, or at least to a sufficient degree to prevent a foot from entering; and (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">4</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">) Respondent’s allocation of three employees to perform the job, of necessity, required one employee to continually walk from one side of the conveyor to the other</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Depending on what portion of the car this third employee was cleaning, such a step could take place near the trap door.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Though<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Morales</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>testified that such movement was discouraged, he<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">admitted that it was not prohibited</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and his<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">co-worker</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Espinosa, admitted that it was not against the rules. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">170, 187–88</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; 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; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">In</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>cases where a guarding citation<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">involving</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a conveyor<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">has been</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>vacated, it was<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">because</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>nothing about the job placed employees in proximity to the nip points, rollers, or other guarding-related hazard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Norman W Fries Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 2018 WL 4899174</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(“Although there is no question the injured employee was exposed, the Secretary failed to establish this exposure was reasonably predictable as a result of the manner in which the conveyor functions and the way it is operated.”).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">For example, in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Norman W Fries</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he ALJ</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>found the manner in which the employee was “accidentally” injured was<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">not</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>reasonably predictable because neither</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>normal operation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of the conveyor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">or the clean-up process</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the employee was engaged in at the time</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>required<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">him</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">go<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">beneath the conveyor.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">see also Evergreen Techs., Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 18 BNA OSHC 1528 (1998) (ALJ Spies) (finding employee’s injuries were the result of idiosyncratic behavior, not the failure to replace a failing guard).</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref9" href="#ftn9">8</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; 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; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">In this case</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, there were no rules<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that prohibited employees from stepping near the hole; the process used to dry the cars (especially with three employees) placed employees in a position to slip and step into the hole because they were working in an area that was known to be<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">wet and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">slippery; and the rules Respondent<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">had</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on the books<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">were not consistently</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>enforced</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, if at all</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. At the very least, Respondent’s employees were exposed to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a hazard when working around the trap door of the conveyor.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See Calpine Corp.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 2018 WL 1778958 (No. 11-1734, 2018)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“Calpine assigned its employees to complete a task that would bring them into the ‘zone of danger’ posed<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">by the unguarded platform opening.”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Just like the employer in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Calpine</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Respondent’s work practice brought its employees into the zone of danger posed by the trap door.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The fact that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was seriously injured by virtue of stepping into the hole is additional evidence of exposure by way of inadvertence.<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:12pt; ">B</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ecause Respondent’s employees were exposed to a hazard, Respondent had an associated duty to ensure the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">conveyor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was properly guarded. In that respect, the Court<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">refers back</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>its previous conclusion that the trap door did not close enough to prevent the entry of a foot.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s conclusion is buttressed by the standards governing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>floor holes and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">floor<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">openings</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, which are<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">regulate</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">d</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">under</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>both general industry and construction</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>standards</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. § 1910.21 (defining a ‘hole’ as a “gap or open space in a floor, roof, horizontal walking-working surface, or similar surface that is at least 2 inches in its least dimension”);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">see id.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">§ 1926.500 (same).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Floor holes are smaller</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>than floor openings</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and do not<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">necessarily<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">present a “fall-through” hazard, as it were, but instead present slip, trip, and fall hazards</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>potentially expose unwitting employees to whatever hazards may lie underneath.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See, e.g.,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. § 1910.28(b)(3)(ii) (employees must be protected from “tripping into or stepping into or through” any hole that is less than 4 feet above a lower level)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Under both sets of standard</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, floor holes<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">must be guarded.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See, e.g.,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. § 1910.28(b)(3) (listing requirements for how to protect employees from hazards imposed by floor holes).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">W</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">hen<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">those standards are<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">applied to this case</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">gap left by the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">trap door, which measured roughly 2.5 inches, would be considered a floor hole. As such, the hole should have been guarded</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>insofar as there was exposure, which there<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">wa</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s.<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:12pt; ">Ultimately, Respondent is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a victim of its decision to move the drying process indoors.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> While this<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">may</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>have been a safer move overall,</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref10" href="#ftn10">9</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the move itself was not inherently safe. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent had an obligation to ensure that any new hazards imposed by the move were addressed.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> With respect to the gap left by the retracting trap door, the Court finds Respondent’s efforts to prevent exposure to the machinery below were insufficient. Accordingly, the Court finds the standard was violated and that Respondent’s employees were exposed to the hazard caused by the violation.<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; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:168px; text-indent:-.952cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:168px; text-indent:-.952cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<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:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Respondent Knew of the Hazardous Condition<span>
					</span></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:12pt; ">“To establish knowledge, the Secretary must prove that the employer knew or, with the exercise of reasonable diligence, should have known of the conditions constituting the violation.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Central Florida Equip. Rentals, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 25 BNA OSHC 2147 (No. 08-1656, 2016). To satisfy this burden, Complainant must show “knowledge of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">conditions</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that form the basis of the alleged violation; not whether the employer had knowledge that the conditions constituted a hazard.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“Although the Secretary has the burden to establish employer knowledge of the violative conditions, when a supervisory employee has actual or constructive knowledge of the violative conditions, that knowledge is imputed to the employer, and the Secretary satisfied his burden of proof without having to demonstrate any inadequacy or defect in the employer’s safety program.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Dover Elevator Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 16 BNA OSHC 1281 (No. 91-862, 1993);</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>see also Dana Container</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 25 BNA OSHC 1776 (No. 09-1184, 2015) (citing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Dover</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for same proposition).<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:12pt; ">There is no serious dispute about Respondent’s knowledge of the hazardous condition.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As part of the daily inspection procedures, Respondent requires its managers to perform a daily visual inspection of the trap door. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">72–73</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-23</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Indeed, o</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ne of Respondent’s managers performed this inspection on the day of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’ accident and noted the trap door was in place and in working order. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">73</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-23</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Thus, Respondent, th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">r</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ough its managers, was aware of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the gap left by the trap door. Respondent was also aware the conditions surrounding the trap door were wet and slippery and that employees crossed<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">over the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>conveyor when only three people were assigned to dry vehicles. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">157–59</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent’s training<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">materials</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>also relay the hazards associated with working on or around conveyors, indicating that they “can be dangerous and even deadly” and “present the risk of conveyor entanglement.” (Tr. 65; Ex. C-17 at 14). This was echoed by Espinosa, who admitted that “it is possible for someone to slip on this wet surface and get their foot caught in the conveyor, even if they violate no safety rules.” (Tr. 159). Because Respondent’s managers were aware of the condition, the Court finds such knowledge is properly imputable to Respondent. Accordingly, the Court finds Complainant has made out a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">prima facie<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">case of knowledge.<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:12pt; ">Though Respondent proffered a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">defense of unpreventable employee misconduct</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>early in this case</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, it did not pursue that defense in its post-trial brief. Nevertheless, the Court shall briefly address the defense and illustrate why it does not apply.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">To</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>prove this defense, an employer must show it: “(1)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">established work rules designed to prevent the violative conditions from occurring; (2) adequately communicated those rules to its employees; (3) took steps to discover violations of those rules; and (4) effectively enforced the rules when violations were discovered.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Manganas</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Painting Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 21 BNA OSHC<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1964,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1997</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(No. 94-0588, 2007)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; 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; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">With respect to its work rules, Respondent was only clear about one of them: do not step on the conveyor or trap door. While this<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rule<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is clear, and</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>clearly communicated</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>it did not adequately address the hazard imposed by the trap door hole.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As noted by Espinosa, it was acceptable for employees to step<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">over</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the conveyor, especially when there was an odd number of dryers to wipe down a car. Although<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Morales</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>said stepping over the conveyor was discouraged, there was no rule against it</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">For that matter, n</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">either Espinosa nor<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Morales</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>could articulate how<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>violated the rules when he got his foot stuck in the trap door. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">174, 186–88</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The Court finds Respondent’s claim of unpreventable employee misconduct must fail b</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ecause Respondent lacks rules that specifically govern the behavior Respondent claims to be<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">misconduct</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; 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; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent’s claim of employee misconduct</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>also</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>fails because Respondent</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’s enforcement history is mixed, at best. According to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Espinosa</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Respondent has rules mandating the use of non-slip shoes but does not make any effort to enforce those rules.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Tr. 161</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Likewise, the rule prohibiting stepping onto the conveyor appears to have been enforced only a single time, which occurred six months after the events of this case.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Tr. 106–107; Ex. C-14).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">A</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>progressive disciplinary program must be more than a “paper program”, requiring “evidence of having actually administered the discipline outlined in its policy and procedures.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See, e.g.,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Connecticut Light & Pwr. Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>13 BNA OSHC 2214 (No. 85–1118, 1989) (reprimand letters issued)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">;</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Pace Constr. Corp.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>14 BNA OSHC 2216 (No. 86–758, 1991) (perennial verbal warnings ignored on a widespread basis)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Respondent’s managers testified that verbal warnings were given, but<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">also admitted</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">those<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">warnings were</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>not</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>tracked such that progressive discipline could be imposed in a meaningful way.</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:12pt; ">By moving the drying operation inside the car wash bay, Respondent knowingly brought its employees closer to the hazard imposed by the machinery located beneath the trap door. Respondent was aware of the hazard imposed by the machinery and knew that the area surrounding the trap door was slippery. Further, Respondent’s management was responsible for allocating employees to the drying area</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>based on volume and availability</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Tr. 175).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>So, when only three individuals were assigned to dry, Respondent could reasonably anticipate<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">one of those employees would cross over the conveyor, as<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>did in this case.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Since</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>such an action was not prohibited by Respondent’s work<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rules, and</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>given that neither Espinosa nor<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Morales</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>could identify<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">what<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>did wrong, the only reasonable conclusion is that Respondent knew or, at the very least, could have known of the violative condition.</span></p>
			</div>
			<p style="margin-left:168px; text-indent:-.952cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; margin-left:168px; text-indent:-.952cm; widows:2; orphans:2; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; ">
				<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:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">The Violation Was Serious</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:12pt; ">A violation is “serious” if there was a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could have resulted from the violative condition. 29 U.S.C. § 666(k). Complainant need not show that there was a substantial probability that an accident would<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">actually occur</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; he need only show that if an accident occurred, serious physical harm could result. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Phelps Dodge Corp. v. OSHRC</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 725 F.2d 1237, 1240 (9th Cir. 1984). If the possible injury addressed by a regulation is death or serious physical harm, a violation of the regulation is serious. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Mosser Construction</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 23 BNA OSHC 1044 (No. 08-0631, 2010);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Dec-Tam Corp</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">., 15 BNA OSHC 2072 (No. 88-0523, 1993).</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:12pt; ">After the accident,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>stated that he pulled his foot out of the hole, and it was just hanging there. (Tr. 34). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As a result of his injuries,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">had to go to the hospital and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">had been</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>out of work for over a year at the time of the hearing in this matter. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">56, 91</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The Court finds<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’ injuries were sufficiently severe to characterize this violation as serious.</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:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Penalty</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:12pt; ">In calculating appropriate penalties for affirmed violations, Section 17(j) of the Act requires the Commission give due consideration to four criteria: (1) the size of the employer’s business, (2) the gravity of the violation, (3) the good faith of the employer, and (4) the employer’s prior history of violations. Gravity is the primary consideration and is determined by the number of employees exposed, the duration of the exposure, the precautions taken against injury, and the likelihood of an actual injury.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">J.A. Jones Construction Co.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 15 BNA OSHC 2201 (No. 87-2059, 1993). It is well established that the Commission and its judges conduct<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">de novo</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>penalty determinations and have full discretion to assess penalties based on the facts of each case and the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">applicable statutory criteria. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Valdak</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Corp</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">., 17 BNA OSHC 1135 (No. 93-0239, 1995);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Allied Structural Steel</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 2 BNA OSHC 1457 (No. 1681, 1975).</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:12pt; ">In his determination of gravity, CSHO Guerrero assessed the foregoing violation as medium severity and high probability. This conclusion was based on the type of injuries suffered by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[Redacted]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and the fact that similarly situated employees worked around the trap door opening all day long</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, thereby increasing the likelihood of exposure</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Tr. 118). Because Respondent has over 8,000 employees, Complainant did not provide a discount for size, nor did it provide a discount for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">history</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>due to Respondent receiving a serious citation in the previous five years. (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">119</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Complainant did, however, award a 15% reduction<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">for good faith<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">because Respondent had an “average written safety and health program.” (Tr.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">119</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). The resulting penalty proposed by Complainant is $9,234. The Court agrees with the foregoing assessments and finds that they are supported by the record. Accordingly, a penalty of $9,234 shall be imposed.<span>
						</span></span></p>
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			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; 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:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">ORDER</span></p>
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			<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:12pt; ">The foregoing Decision constitutes the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in accordance with Rule 52(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclus</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ions of Law, it is ORDERED that:</span></p>
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			<p style="margin-left:48px; text-indent:-.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; text-indent:-.635cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-size:12pt; padding-right:20px;">1.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Citation 1, Item 1</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">AFFIRMED, and a penalty of $9,234 is ASSESSED</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:24px; widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
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			<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:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">SO ORDERED</span></p>
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				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">/s/</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">_________________________</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">P</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">eggy S. Ball</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Judge, OSHRC</span></p>
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			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Date:</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> April 17, 2019</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:12pt; ">Denver, Colorado</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </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>
					<a name="ftn1" href="#ftnref1"></a> </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; ">1 </span></a>. Respondent<span><span></span>
					</span>attempted to have the matter removed from Simplified Proceedings; however, that motion was denied by<span>
					</span>Judge Schumacher<span><span></span>
					</span>on<span>
					</span>November 16, 2017.<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; ">2 </span></a>. To<span>
					</span>be<span><span></span>
					</span>clear, the<span><span></span>
					</span>move indoors did not expose employees<span><span></span>
					</span>to car wash equipment like you would see at a drive-through car wash facility. Instead, as shown in the video, it appears Respondent used a portion of the bay that<span>
					</span>formerly<span><span></span>
					</span>housed<span><span></span>
					</span>washing machinery but is now empty save for the conveyor system. (Exs.<span><span></span>
					</span>C-13 at 16–19,<span><span></span>
					</span>C-24, C-25).</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; ">3 </span></a>. This method of drying cars can be observed in the training videos and on-site photographs taken by CSHO Guerrero. (Ex.<span>
					</span>C-13 at 16–19, C-19, C-20).<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="ftn5" href="#ftnref5"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">4 </span></a>. According to<span>
					</span>Espinosa,<span>
					</span>when drying used to occur outdoors, an employee was struck by a<span>
					</span>customer, who had mistaken the accelerator for the brake. (Tr.<span><span></span>
					</span>153).<span>
					</span><span><span></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="ftn6" href="#ftnref6"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">5 </span></a>. Respondent’s own training video recognize these mats as<span>
					</span>additional<span>
					</span>tripping hazards. (Tr.<span>
					</span>160–61).<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; ">6 </span></a>. At trial,<span>
					</span>[Redacted]<span><span></span>
					</span>clarified between<span>
					</span>average cars per hour, which refers to the number of actual cars processed, and<span>
					</span>line speed, which refers to the speed<span>
					</span>(measured in cars/hour)<span>
					</span>at which the conveyor is set. (Tr.<span>
					</span>54).<span><span></span>
					</span></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; ">7 </span></a>. The Court expresses no opinion on the issue of whether the move indoors is inconsistent with industry standards.<span><span></span>
					</span>The results of CSHO Guerrero’s internet research lack context,<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span><span></span>
					</span>it is unclear whether this particular insurance company’s position on working indoors at a car wash facility<span>
					</span>contemplates the conditions at Respondent’s car wash facility.<span><span></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="ftn9" href="#ftnref9"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">8 </span></a>. Contrary to Respondent’s claim, this case is nothing like<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Evergreen Technologies</span>. In that case, the citation was vacated because, even though a moving part was left unguarded, exposure to that part only occurred as a result of the employee intentionally “plac[ing] her body into the<span><span></span>
					</span>Instron machine while it was operating.”<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Evergreen Techs., Inc.</span>, 18 BNA OSHC 1528 (ALJ Spies). Here, Respondent’s work practices placed its employees in a position to be inadvertently exposed to the machine’s rotating parts. [Redacted]’ exposure was<span><span></span>
					</span>not<span><span></span>
					</span>the result of<span><span></span>
					</span>some ill-conceived attempt to retrieve a dropped item from behind a machine by reaching through it<span>
					</span>while it was running; rather, it was the product of<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>ongoing performance of assigned job tasks. <span><span></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="ftn10" href="#ftnref10"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">9 </span></a>. The Court expresses no opinion on the relative safety of either option. The Court’s concern is whether a hazard, as described in the standard, exists at Respondent’s workplace.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
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