OSHA Inspection: CHIPPEWA BI PRODUCTS, LLC.

Issued

2012-05-09 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-06-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $2100.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(i)(1): Concentration levels of carbon monoxide gas created by powered industrial truck operations shall not exceed the levels specified in 1910.1000.    (a) On or about January 26, 2012, in the Processing Plant, an employee was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 150 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 564.2 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.240). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 40.5%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8-hour TWA exposure was 176.3 ppm CO (SAE = 0.233), which is 3.53 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.    (b) On or about January 26, 2012, in the Processing Plant, an employee was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 150 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 645.9 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.305). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 45.4%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8-hour TWA exposure was 201.9 ppm CO (SAE = 0.316), which is 4.04 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.    (c) On or about January 26, 2012, in the Processing Plant, an employee was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 150 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 392.7 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.209). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 34.1%. Atmospheric pressure,height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8-hour TWA exposure was 122.7 ppm CO (SAE = 0.211), which is 2.45 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.    (d) On or about January 26, 2012, in the Processing Plant, an employee was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 150 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 521.7 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.238). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 36.9%. Atmospheric pressure, height,weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8-hour TWA exposure was 163.0 ppm CO (SAE = 0.237), which is 3.26 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.

Issued

2012-05-09 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-06-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(e): To achieve compliance with paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, administrative or engineering controls were not determined and implemented:    (a) On or about January 26, 2012, in the Processing Plant, employee(s) were exposed to carbon monoxide in excess of the PEL (see Citation 1 Item 1a). To achieve compliance with paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, feasible engineering or administrative controls were not implemented.    General methods of control that were applicable to this condition included, but were not limited to the following:    1. Periodic carbon monoxide emission testing on all Liquid Propane Gas equipment (i.e. forklifts, skid steers, etc.)    2. Install ventilation system(s) to control exposure.    3. Train employees on the hazards and symptoms of exposure to carbon monoxide.

Issued

2012-05-09 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-06-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1680.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(3) Training program content. Powered industrial truck operators shall receive initial training in the following topics: 29 CFR 1910.178(l)(3)(ii)[H] closed environments and other areas where insufficient ventilation or poor vehicle maintenance could cause a buildup of carbon monoxide or diesel exhaust.    (a) The employer did not initially train the forklift operators on the hazards associated with the use of propane forklifts in closed environments and their ability to cause a buildup of carbon monoxide where there is insufficient ventilation.

Issued

2012-05-09 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-05-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(iii): An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance shall be conducted at least once every three years.    (a) The employer did not conduct an evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance at least once every three years.