OSHA Inspection: THORNTON INDUSTRIES, INC.

Issued

Oct 3, 2011

Abate by

Nov 2, 2011

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(1):     The employer did not develop and implement an emergency response plan to handle anticipated emergencies prior to commencement of emergency response operations:    On or about May 23, 2011, two employees of Thornton Industries, Inc., attempted to contain and neutralize a hydrochloric acid spill by applying soda ash onto the spill.  The employer did not develop or implement an emergency response plan to handle emergency response operations.    DOCUMENTAION AND CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.

Issued

Oct 3, 2011

Abate by

Nov 2, 2011

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1):     A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:      On or about June 1, 2011, employees at Thornton Industries, Inc., were required to wear respirators in the powder mixing area and in the liquid batch mixing area.  The employer did not established and implement a written respiratory protection program for these employees.    DOCUMENTATION AND CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.

Issued

Oct 3, 2011

Abate by

Dec 2, 2011

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(c):     An employee(s) was exposed to inert dust in excess of the 8-hour time weighted average limit of 15 millingrams per cubic meter of air as listed in Table Z-3:    On or about August 5, 2011, an employee, working in the powder batch mixing area, was overexposed to Particulate Not Otherwise Regulated at an 8-hour time-weighted average level of 17.65 milligrams per cubic meter, approximately 1.2 times the limit of 15 milligrams per cubic meter.  The exposure level is derived from a sample taken over a 353 minute period during on shift.  The exposure calculation includes a zero value for the unsampled period of 127 minutes.      DOCUMENTATION AND CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.

Issued

Oct 3, 2011

Abate by

Dec 2, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(e):     Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not determined and implemented to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d):    On or about August 5, 2011, an employee, working in the powder batch mixing area, was overexposed to Particulate Not Otherwise Regulated at an 8-hour time-weighted average level of 17.65 milligrams per cubic meter, approximately 1.2 times the limit of 15 milligrams per cubic meter.  The exposure level is derived from a sample taken over a 353 minute period during on shift.  The exposure calculation includes a zero value for the unsampled period of 127 minutes.      Feasible administrative and engineering controls were not determined and implemented in order to achieve compliance.  General methods of control applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to the following.    1.  Using a local exhaust system to capture dust emissions from the first mixing batch vessel.    CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.

Issued

Oct 3, 2011

Abate by

Nov 2, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $1,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1):     The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:      On or about June 1, 2011, employees at Thornton Industries, Inc., worked with chemicals such as hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, and talc.  The employer did not develop and implement a written hazard communication program.    CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.