OSHA Inspection: MADISON ELECTRIC PRODUCTS INC.

Issued

Aug 17, 2011

Abate by

Sep 16, 2011

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(2):  The educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting was not provided to all employees upon initial employment, and at least annually thereafter:    The employer did not train employees on the use of portable fire extinguishers for those employees expected to fight incipient stage fires.    NOTE:  The employer may exercise one of the following options:    1)	Provide portable fire extinguishers as specified in 29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1), meet the distribution requirements per 29 CFR 1910.157(d) (75 to the nearest extinguisher for Class A fires and 50 to the nearest extinguisher for Class B fires), and provide training and education for all employees in the use of such equipment and the hazards associated with incipient stage fire fighting as required in 29 CFR 1910.157(g).  The other sections of 29 CFR 1910.157 also apply.    2)	Provide extinguishers as specified in 29 CFR 1910.157(c) (1), designate certain employees to be the only employees authorized to use such equipment and require all other employees to immediately evacuate upon the sounding of the fire alarm, establish this in writing in an emergency action plan as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.38(c) and train/educate designated employees per 1910.157(g).  Utilizing this option exempts the employer from distribution requirements of 29 CFR 1910.157(d).    3)	  Establish a written fire safety policy which requires the immediate and total evacuation of employees from the workplace upon the sounding of a fire alarm signal.  This policy includes an emergency action plan and a fire prevention plan as specified in 29 CFR 1910.38(a) and (b).  Utilizing this option exempts the employer from the requirements of 1910.157 to include the need for providing portable fire equipment unless a specific standard requires that a portable fire extinguisher be provided (such as those requirements in 29 CFR 1910.106/107 relating to use/storage of flammable/combustible liquids).  If extinguishers are provided but not intended for employee use, 29 CFR 1910.157(a) and (f) are still applicable (inspection, maintenance and testing of equipment).

Issued

Aug 17, 2011

Abate by

Sep 16, 2011

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,470 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:    The employer had not developed a written hazard communication program for employees working with hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to, propane, battery acid, etc.

Issued

Aug 17, 2011

Abate by

Sep 16, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1):  Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:\r\n\r\nChemicals include, but are not limited to, propane, battery acid, etc.\r\n\r\nElements of a Hazard Communication information and training program are:\r\n\r\nInformation to employees shall include:\r\n\r\n1.\tAny operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present.\r\n\r\n2.\tThe location and availability of the written hazard communication program, including the required list(s) of hazardous chemicals, and material safety data sheets.\r\n\r\nTraining for employees shall include:\r\n\r\n3.\tMethods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area (such as monitoring conducted by the employer, continuous monitoring devices, visual appearance or odor of hazardous chemicals when being released, etc).\r\n\r\n4.\tThe physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area.\r\n\r\n5.\tThe measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards, including specific procedures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment to be used.\r\n\r\n6.\tThe details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, including an explanation of the labeling system and the material safety data sheet, and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information.\r\n\r\n\r\n