OSHA Inspection: UNION SUPPLY GROUP

Issued

Dec 23, 2011

Abate by

Jan 22, 2012

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,550 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(a)(2):     Employee(s) were exposed to an airborne concentration of carbon monoxide gas listed in Table Z-1 in excess of the 8 hour Time Weighted Average concentration of 50.0 parts per million as an 8-hour Time Weighted Average concentration:       a) On or about November 11, 2011, an employee performing processing duties in the area of the food express department was over-exposed to carbon monoxide gas. The percent carboxyhemoglobin level in the employees's blood reached a calculated peak of 16.0%. This was calculated to be an 8-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) exposure of 78.7 parts per million carbon monoxide which was 1.57 times OSHA's permissible exposure limit of 50 parts per million.

Issued

Dec 23, 2011

Abate by

Jan 22, 2012

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):      a) On or about November 11, 2011, feasible administrative and engineering controls were not determined and implemented for an employee who was over-exposed to carbon monoxide gas while performing processing duties in the area of the food express department. The percent carboxyhemoglobin level in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak of 16.0%.  This was calculated to be an 8-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) exposure of 78.7 parts per million carbon monoxide which was 1.57 times the OSHA's permissible exposure limit of 50 parts per million.     Feasible administrative and/or engineering controls included, but were not limited to, the following:     1. Assess the decomposition products generated by fuel burning equipment such as, but not limited to, heaters and equipment having internal combustion engines. Provide adequate ventilation that will ensure that air contaminants generated from the fuel burning equipment are maintained below OSHA's permissible exposure limits.     2. Provide continuous monitoring alarms that will sound a warning before air contaminants reach dangerous levels allowing employees to safely evacuate the area.     3. Maintain and/or repair fuel burning equipment to ensure efficient combustion.     4. Use electric-powered equipment that will eliminate air contaminants produced by internal combustion engines.