OSHA Inspection: FIBERGLASS SPECIALTIES

Issued

Jun 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,960 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent) and toeboards:    (a) On or about May 9, 2012, employees were climbing on top of tank ends, situated on top of a rotating pedestal approximately 60 inches in height on which the part was manufactured, to sand the finishing product.

Issued

Jun 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $1,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(h)(2)(i): Respirators were not stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals or were not packed or stored to prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve:    (a) On or about December 15, 2011, and at times after, respirators at Fiberglass Specialties were stored in the production area in gallon-size, zip-lock plastic bags without a complete seal, where they were exposed to air contaminants from which the respirators are meant to offer protection to employees.

Issued

Jun 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,620 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1): The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces:    (a) On or about December 15, 2011, and at times after, Fiberglass Specialties did not evaluate the workplace at 7600 Highway 2 East in Minot, North Dakota, for permit-required confined spaces where employees enter tanks to grind the fittings and manway, glass in the fittings with fiberglass and a resin/catalyst mixture, and flood coat the fittings while also exposed to physical hazards when the tank is rotated with entrants inside.

Issued

Jun 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not develop and implement the means, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations:    (a) On or about December 15, 2011, at Fiberglass Specialties in Minot, North Dakota, permit-required confined space entry procedures and practices were not developed or implemented to provide safe permit entry for employees entering tanks with flammable and toxic materials and performing "glassing" and grinding operations while also exposed to the physical hazards of being inside the tank while it is rotated.

Issued

Jun 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(9): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not develop and implement procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services, for rescuing entrants from permit spaces, for providing necessary emergency services to rescued employees, and for preventing unauthorized personnel from attempting a rescue:    (a) On or about December 15, 2011, and at times after, the employer had no escape plan or emergency rescue plan in place at Fiberglass Specialties should an entrant become incapacitated and need to be rescued while working inside permit-required confined spaces at their manufacturing facility located at 7600 Highway 2 East in Minot, North Dakota, where the manway through which the entrant entered the tank could be located in numerous positions after being pneumatically rotated.

Issued

Jun 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(e)(1): Before entry was authorized, the employer did not document the completion of measures required by 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3) by preparing an entry permit:    (a) On or about December 15, 2011, at Fiberglass Specialties in Minot, North Dakota, permit-required confined space entry permits were not prepared for employees entering tanks with flammable and toxic materials and performing "glassing" and grinding operations while also exposed to the physical hazards of being inside the tank while it is rotated.

Issued

Jun 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,620 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.:    (a) On or about May 9, 2012, at the manufacturing facility of Fiberglass Specialties at 7600 Highway 2 East in Minot, North Dakota, employees were observed cleaning themselves by blowing themselves down with air hoses at a pressure greater than 30 p.s.i. and up to approximately 110 p.s.i.

Issued

Jun 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.32(a)(3): The employer did not certify an OSHA 300A Form or equivalent:    (a) On or about May 9, 2012, the employer failed to certify the annual summary of work-related injuries and illnesses  for Fiberglass Specialties, located at 7600 Highway 2 East in Minot, North Dakota, for the calendar year 2011.