OSHA Inspection: FABRIONICS, INC.

Issued

Jun 14, 1993

Abate by

Apr 22, 1995

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $920 Reduced

General-duty citation text

The alleged violations below have been grouped because they involve
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similar or related hazards that may increase the potential for illness.
Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which
were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause
death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were
exposed to:
....the hazard of inhalation of 2-butanone in excess of the
threshold limit values (TLV) established by the American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists for short
term exposure to this air contaminant.
a.   The dipper was exposed to 2-butanone at a short term
exposure level (STEL) of 2700 ppm, 2188 ppm, and 1472 ppm,
approximately 9.0, 7.3, and 4.9 times respectively the STEL
of 300 ppm.  This limit was established to prevent narcosis
and severe irritant effects of the upper respiratory tract
and the mucous membranes.  Sampling was conducted for
15 minute ceiling samples on March 11, 1993.
b.   The drip picker was exposed to 2-butanone at a short term
exposure level (STEL) of 3173 ppm, 2583 ppm, and 2034 ppm,
approximately 10.6, 8.6, and 6.8 times respectively the
STEL of 300 ppm.  This limit was established to prevent
narcosis and severe irritant effects of the upper
respiratory tract and the mucous membranes.  Sampling was
conducted for 15 minute ceiling samples on March 11, 1993.
Feasible and effective abatement can be expected to include but is
not limited to:
1.   Increase the ventilation and make-up air in the dipping
room.
DISCLAIMERS:
1.   The employer is not limited to the abatement methods
suggested by OSHA.
2.   The methods explained are general and may not be effective
in all cases.
3.   The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out
an appropriate abatement methods.
STEP 1:   Submit to the Area Director a written, detailed plan of
abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of
engineering and/or administrative measures to control
employee exposure to hazardous substances as referenced
in this citation.  This plan shall include, at a minimum,
target dates for the following actions which must be
consistent with the abatement dates required by this
citation:
1.   Evaluation of engineering/administrative control
options;
2.   Selection of optimum control methods and completion
of design;
3.   Procurement, installation and operation of selected
control measures;
4.   Testing and acceptance or modification/redesign of
controls.
All proposed control measures shall be approved for each
particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or other
technically qualified person.  A thirty (30) day progress
report is required during the abatement period.
STEP 2:   Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation
of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls upon
verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance.

Issued

Jun 14, 1993

Abate by

Apr 15, 1994

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
%%
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which
were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause
death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were
exposed to:
....the hazard of inhalation of hexone in excess of the threshold
limit values (TLV) established by the American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists for short term exposure to
this air contaminant.
a.   The dipper was exposed to hexone at a short term exposure
level (STEL) of 112 ppm, 88 ppm, and 87 ppm, approximately
1.5, 1.2, and 1.2 times respectively the STEL of 75 ppm.
This limit was established to prevent narcosis and severe
irritant effects of the upper respiratory tract and the
mucous membranes.  Sampling was conducted for 15 minute
ceiling samples on March 11, 1993.
b.   The drip picker was exposed to hexone at a short term
exposure level (STEL) of 228 ppm, 204 ppm, and 220 ppm,
approximately 3.8, 2.7, and 2.6 times respectively the STEL
of 75 ppm.  This limit was established to prevent narcosis
and severe irritant effects of the upper respiratory tract
and the mucous membranes.  Sampling was conducted for
15 minute ceiling samples on March 11, 1993.
Feasible and effective abatement can be expected to include but is
not limited to:
1.   Increase the ventilation and make-up air in the dipping
room.
DISCLAIMERS:
1.   The employer is not limited to the abatement methods
suggested by OSHA.
2.   The methods explained are general and may not be effective
in all cases.
3.   The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out
an appropriate abatement methods.
STEP 1:   Submit to the Area Director a written, detailed plan of
abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of
engineering and/or administrative measures to control
employee exposure to hazardous substances as referenced
in this citation.  This plan shall include, at a minimum,
target dates for the following actions which must be
consistent with the abatement dates required by this
citation:
1.   Evaluation of engineering/administrative control
options;
2.   Selection of optimum control methods and completion
of design;
3.   Procurement, installation, and operation of selected
control measures;
4.   Testing and acceptance of modification/redesign of
controls.
All proposed control measures shall be approved for each
particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or other
technically qualified person.  A thirty (30) day progress
report is required during the abatement period.
STEP 2:   Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation
of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls upon
verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance.

Issued

Jun 14, 1993

Abate by

Jun 28, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $920 Reduced

Issued

Jun 14, 1993

Abate by

Jun 28, 1993

Issued

Jun 14, 1993

Abate by

Apr 22, 1995

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $920 Reduced

Issued

Jun 14, 1993

Abate by

Apr 22, 1995

Issued

Jun 14, 1993

Abate by

Jul 24, 1995

Issued

Jun 14, 1993

Abate by

Jul 24, 1995

Issued

Jun 14, 1993

Abate by

Jun 28, 1993

Issued

Jun 14, 1993

Abate by

Jun 28, 1993