OSHA Inspection: MERRITT EQUIPMENT COMPANY

Issued

Oct 7, 2011

Abate by

Nov 6, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(ii) The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall communicate selection decisions to each affected employee:    (a) Merritt Equipment Company at 9339 Highway 85 in Henderson, CO: The employer did not communicate PPE selection decisions to each affected employee in that Job Hazard Analysis forms for Service and Paint Booth specify latex gloves for contact with MDI.  Two types of nitrile gloves are provided. Job Hazard Analysis forms are posted in the work areas to ensure clear communication, therefore the information on the forms should be accurate.  Improper glove material may cause chemical exposure.    Abatement Note: Information on PPE selection for MDI is available through The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry, www.polyurethane.org, the specific product MSDS, and glove manufacturer websites.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Oct 7, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(i):     The employer did not select and provide an appropriate respirator based on the respiratory hazard(s) to which the worker was exposed and workplace and user factors that affect respirator performance and reliability:    (a) Merritt Equipment Company at 9339 Highway 85 in Henderson, CO: On and before July 8, 2011 the employer did not select and provide an appropriate respirator based on the respiratory hazard to which the worker was exposed and workplace and user factors that affect respirator performance and reliability.  Employees conducting repairs to refrigerated trailers use BASF Elastospray 8000A Isocyanate which contains MDI.  Employees were provided with a 3M PAPR with GVP-440 filter (HEPA).  This condition exposed employees to a respiratory hazard.    Abatement Note: A supplied air respirator is appropriate for tasks involving MDI.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is not required for this item.

Issued

Oct 7, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A) The employer shall not permit respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interferes with valve function:    (a) Merritt Equipment Company at 9339 Highway 85 in Henderson, CO: The employer permitted respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face. At least one employee, a painter, had significant facial hair when using a supplied air respirator in the spray booth.  Use of improperly sealed respirators exposes employees to respiratory hazards.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is not required for this item.

Issued

Oct 7, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(i)(6) For compressors that are not oil-lubricated, the employer did not ensure that carbon monoxide levels in the breathing air did not exceed 10 ppm:    (a) Merritt Equipment Company at 9339 Highway 85 in Henderson, CO: The employer did not ensure that carbon monoxide levels in the breathing air did not exceed 10 ppm in that carbon monoxide monitors integral to the AIR Systems brand supplied air systems were not calibrated according to manufacturer specifications.  This condition exposed employees using supplied air respirators to a respirator hazard.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").