OSHA Inspection: COWTOWN FIBERGLASS MANUFACTURING INC

Issued

Oct 3, 1991

Abate by

Jan 6, 1992

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $288 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
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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:
a.  Camper top painter was exposed to the hazards of skin and
respiratory allergic sensitization which are associated with
excessive levels of 1,6-Hexamethylene diisocyanate homopolymer,
a HDI polyisocyanate, in a spray painting operation.  Employee
was exposed to HDI polyisocyanates at an 8 hour time weighted
average (TWA) level of 5.63 mg/mp, 11.26 times the recommended
guidelines of 0.5 mg/m which has been established by industry.
This average was derived from 3 samples collected over 51
minutes on 6/6/91.
b.  Camper top painter was exposed to the hazards of skin and
respiratory allergic sensitization which are associated with
excessive levels of 1.6-Hexamethylene diisocvanate
homopolymer,
a HDI polyisocyanate,  in a spray painting operation.
Employee was exposed to HDI polyisocyanates at short term
intervals which exceeded the recommended guideline for a 15
minute short term exposure limit (STEL)  established as 1.0
mg/m.  These exposures were also derived from the three samples
collected over a 51 minute period on 6/6/91.  Employee was
exposed to STEL levels of 48.4 mg/m over a 16 minute period.
49.2 mg/m over a 19 minute period and 62.6 mg/m over a 16 minute
period.
Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing or eliminating this
hazard, among other methods are:
1.  Upgrade engineering controls in spray room to increase
ventilation
flow through the room.  A rotating stand to mount part
on to be sprayed might also eliminate poor work practices of
stepping between the part and over spray.
2.  Provide employee with personal protective equipment to cover
all exposed skin and protect the respiratory system.  Hooded
coveralls, gloves, and use of a full face supplied air
respirator are examples of adequate protection.
3.  Utilize paint products which do not contain isocyanates in
the base paint or the clear coat.
Abatement Schedule
Step 1.  Effective respiration protection shall be provided to and used
by exposed employees as an interim protective measure until
feasible engineering and/or administrative controls can be
implemented or whenever such controls fail to reduce employee
exposure to within permissible exposure limits.

Issued

Oct 3, 1991

Abate by

Apr 30, 1992

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $412 Reduced

Issued

Oct 3, 1991

Abate by

Oct 15, 1991

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $288 Reduced

Issued

Oct 3, 1991

Abate by

Oct 15, 1991

Issued

Oct 3, 1991

Abate by

Nov 19, 1991

Issued

Oct 3, 1991

Abate by

Oct 10, 1991

Issued

Oct 3, 1991

Abate by

Oct 29, 1991

Penalty

Initial $150 · Current $92 Reduced

Issued

Oct 3, 1991

Abate by

Nov 19, 1991

Issued

Oct 3, 1991

Abate by

Nov 19, 1991

Issued

Oct 3, 1991

Abate by

Oct 7, 1991