OSHA Inspection: RAANI CORPORATION

Issued

May 15, 2012

Abate by

May 16, 2012

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The 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 to fall hazards due to an improperly guarded platform:    a. On or about January 26, 2012, employees were exposed to fall hazards when working on an improperly guarded platform seven (7) feet nine (9) inches above the ground level, elevated on the forks of a powered industrial truck, while adding a flammable liquid to a production tank.      b. On or about January 25, 2012, employees were exposed to fall hazards greater than four feet when working from unsecured wooden pallet(s) equipped without guardrails which were elevated on the forks of a powered industrial tuck, while adding chemicals to production tank(s).    Among other methods, the following are feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard.  (a)  Follow the American National Standards Institute/Industrial Truck Standards Development Foundation (ANSI/ITSDF) B56.1-2009 Safety for Low Lift and High Lift Trucks, Part II, Section 4.17, Elevating Personnel and Part III, 7.37, Platforms:  Elevating as applicable.  (b) Discontinue the use of elevating personnel and use a pump system to transfer materials.

Issued

May 15, 2012

Abate by

Jun 27, 2012

Penalty

Initial $6,000 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): The floor of every workroom shall be maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition. Where wet processes are used, drainage shall be maintained, and false floors, platforms, mats, or other dry standing places should be provided where practicable.    a.  On or about December 13, 2011,in the compounding department, employees were exposed to slip, trip and fall hazards when the floors were slippery from residual chemicals.    b.  On or about January 26, 2012, in the compounding department, employees were exposed to slip, trip and fall hazards when the floors were wet from tank cleaning process(es) which involve draining the contents to the floor.

Issued

May 15, 2012

Abate by

Jun 27, 2012

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.    a.  From November 15, 2011 to December 15, 2011 in the facility, the employer failed to adequately perform a hazard assessment to determine which hazards were present which necessitate the use of PPE.

Issued

May 15, 2012

Abate by

Jun 6, 2012

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c):  Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:    a.  On or about November 17, 2011, in the compounding area, employees worked with corrosive chemicals including but not limited to,  hydrogen peroxide, ammonium hydroxide, and sodium hydroxide.  A safety shower was not immediately available and located within 100 feet of all areas where corrosive chemicals were used, thereby exposing employees to eye damage and skin burns.

Issued

May 15, 2012

Abate by

May 30, 2012

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(ii):  "Grounding." Class I liquids shall not be dispensed into containers unless the nozzle and container are electrically interconnected. Where the metallic floor plate on which the container stands while filling is electrically connected to the fill stem or where the fill stem is bonded to the container during filling operations by means of a bond wire, the provisions of this section shall be deemed to have been complied with.    a.  On or about January 26, 2012, employees were exposed to fire and explosion hazards while splash loading Steol CS-460, a Class I flammable liquid containing ethanol, into a production tank without the proper use of bonding and grounding.

Issued

May 15, 2012

Abate by

May 22, 2012

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i):  The employer shall ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l).    a.  On or about December 13, 2011, employees required to operate powered industrial vehicles, were not trained on the safe operation of the powered industrial vehicles, thereby exposing employees to struck by hazards.

Issued

May 15, 2012

Abate by

May 16, 2012

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1): Examination.  Electric equipment shall be free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees:      a.  On or about February 14, 2012, near tank M09, on battery charger number 6, the battery charging cables had rips in the protective coating leaving exposed bare wires unguarded, thereby exposing employees to live electrical parts.

Issued

May 15, 2012

Abate by

May 22, 2012

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $70,000

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):  The 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:       a.  On November 17, 2011, an employee suffered scald and chemical burns.  The employer failed to train its employees on how and when to determine and emergency medical care.    One feasible means of abatement: train employees on how and when to determine and administer emergency medical care, using guidance of the American Red Cross.

Issued

May 15, 2012

Abate by

May 30, 2012

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $70,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a):  Application. Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact:    a.  On or about November 17, 2011 to December 15, 2011, in the facility, employees were required to work with heated water, cleaning solutions and hazardous chemicals, including but not limited to, sodium hydroxide.  The employer failed to provide appropriate personal protective equipment.

Issued

May 15, 2012

Abate by

May 30, 2012

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1):  The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.    a.  On or about November 17, 2011 to December 15, 2011, in the facility, employees were required to work with heated water, cleaning solutions and hazardous chemicals, including but not limited to, sodium hydroxide.  The employer failed to provide person protective equipment.

Issued

May 15, 2012

Abate by

May 30, 2012

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a):  General requirements. Employers shall select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.    a.  On or about November 17, 2011 to December 15, 2011 in the facility, employees were required to work with heated water, cleaning solutions and hazardous chemicals, including but not limited to, sodium hydroxide.  The employer failed to provide personal protective equipment.         ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED.

Issued

May 15, 2012

Abate by

Jun 27, 2012

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $70,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1): The employer shall provide training to each employee who is required by this section to use PPE:    a.  On or about November 15, 2011 to December 15, 2011 in the facility, employees were required to work with heated water/cleaning solutions and hazardous chemicals, including but not limited to, sodium hydroxide.  The employer failed to provide training to employees which included the appropriate PPE required to be worn when exposed to the hazards.

Issued

May 15, 2012

Abate by

Jun 27, 2012

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $70,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1):  Employers shall provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area. Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (e.g., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and material safety datasheets.    a.  On or about November 17, 2011 to December 15, 2011, employees required to work with hazardous chemicals such as but not limited to, sodium hydroxide, were not provided training on the hazards associated with the chemicals.      ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED.

Issued

May 15, 2012

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.39(a): Basic requirement. Within eight (8) hours after the death of any employee from a work-related incident or the in-patient hospitalization of three or more employees as a result of a work-related incident, you must orally report the fatality/multiple hospitalization by telephone or in person to the Area Office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor, that is nearest to the site of the incident. You may also use the OSHA toll-free central telephone number, 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742):    a.  On or about December 8, 2011, an employee died as a result of a work related incident which occurred on November 17, 2011.  The employer failed to report the death of the employee to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).