OSHA Inspection: HARD SURFACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Jun 29, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(b)(1):  Aisles and passageways were not kept clear and in good repair, with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard.    (a)  On or about February 27, 2012 a sunken trench in the concrete floor in the plating area, approximately six feet long and two and one half inches deep was filled in by pieces of two by four boards so carts could be rolled across it.      (b)  Permanent aisles where pedestrians walked and pushed carts of parts to tanks in the back of the facility and where fork lift traffic moved large metal parts between the chrome plating tanks and polishing area had stored pallets of parts, boxes, and containers of chemicals stored randomly along the traffic path.       In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 25, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1):  The employer did not ensure that each affected employee used 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)  Employees manually dipped parts in chromic acid and other caustic solutions where the possibility of splashing existed but eye and face protection was not required.    (b)  Eye protection was not required for employees who worked at grinding and polishing metal parts and were exposed to airborne metal particles and dust.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 25, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

1910.133(a)(2):  The employer did not ensure that each affected employee used eye protection that provided side protection when there was a hazard from flying objects.     (a)  Employees who worked at grinding and polishing metal parts and were exposed to airborne particles and dust, but eye protection with side shields was not required.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Jun 29, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(h)(1):  A hazard was present or was likely to be present from skin or eye contact with chromium (VI); however, the employer did not provide appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment at no cost to employees, and/or did not ensure that employees used such clothing and equipment:    (a)   The employer did not require the use of protective eyewear for employees who performed chrome plating because the glasses would fog up.      In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

May 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i):  The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator was competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in paragraph (l).    (a)  Employees were permitted to operate the Toyota and Clark fork lifts prior to completing training and an evaluation deeming them competent to do so.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

May 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $1,700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(d)(2)(v):  The employer used the scheduled monitoring option, and periodic monitoring indicated employee exposures to chromium (VI) to be below the action level; however, the employer discontinued periodic monitoring without confirmation by the result of another monitoring taken at least seven days later:    (a)  On or about September 30, 2008 monitoring was conducted for hexavalent chromium resulting in levels for one employee of 1.1 micrograms per cubic meter, which was below the action level of 2.5 ug/m3, but the employer did not repeat the sampling at least seven days later.       In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

May 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $1,700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(i)(2):  The employer did not ensure that change room facilities at a worksite with chromium (VI) exposures prevented cross-contamination:    (a)  For employees who worked in a chrome plating shop and were exposed to hexavalent chromium at an eight hour time weighted average of 3.0 ug/m3 for the 403 minute sampling period with a value of zero added for the 77 minutes not sampled on March 1, 2012, the employer did not provide change rooms with separate lockers for both clean street clothes and for contaminated personal protective equipment or uniforms.       In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 25, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(e):  Where employees were required by a particular standard to wear protective clothing because of the possibility of contamination with toxic materials, the employer did not provide change rooms equipped with storage facilities for street clothes:    (a)  For employees who worked in a chrome plating shop and were exposed to hexavalent chromium at an eight hour time weighted average of 3.0 ug/m3 for the 403 minute sampling period with a value of zero added for the 77 minutes not sampled on March 1, 2012, the employer did not provide change rooms with separate lockers for clean street clothes and contaminated personal protective equipment or uniforms.       In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 18, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $1,700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(i)(3)(ii):  The employer did not ensure that employees who had skin contact with chromium (VI) washed their hands and faces at the end of the work shift and prior to eating, drinking, smoking, chewing tobacco or gum, applying cosmetics, or using the toilet.    (a)  The employer did not have procedures in place or otherwise ensure that employees washed their hands and faces to remove surface Cr(VI) from their skin at the end of the work shift and prior to eating, drinking, smoking, chewing tobacco or gum, applying cosmetics, or using the toilet.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Jun 29, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(i)(4)(i):  Whenever the employer allowed employees to consume food or beverages at a worksite where chromium (VI) was present, the employer did not ensure that eating and drinking areas and surfaces were maintained as free as practicable of chromium (VI).    (a)  The employer did not maintain a housekeeping schedule for chrome plating employees where wipe samples taken on February 27 and March 1, 2012 indicated surface levels of Cr(VI) ranging from 0.09 micrograms to 23.01 micrograms in areas where employees consumed food and beverages.      In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Jun 29, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(i)(4)(ii):  The employer did not ensure that employees did not enter eating and drinking areas with protective work clothing or equipment unless surface chromium (VI) had been removed from the clothing and equipment by methods that do not disperse chromium (VI) into the air or onto an employee's body.    (a)   The employer did not have procedures in place or otherwise ensure that employees did not enter eating or drinking areas without removing surface Cr(VI) from their clothing.     (b)  Employees took breaks and ate lunch in their offices or personal vehicles, or in the break area shared with the other companies in the building, without removing any surface Cr(VI) from their uniforms.         In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Jun 29, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(i)(5):  The employer did not ensure that employees did not eat, drink, smoke, chew tobacco or gum, or apply cosmetics in regulated areas, or in areas where skin or eye contact with chromium (VI) occurred; or carry the products associated with these activities, or store such products in these areas.    (a)  The employer did not prevent employees from eating or drinking in areas where airborne exposure to hexavalent chromium was above the OSHA action level.    (b)  The employer did not prevent employees from eating or drinking in areas where wipe samples taken on March 1, 2012 indicated surface contamination from 0.82 micrograms to 23.01 micrograms of hexavalent chromium, as evidenced by the March 1 wipe sample results.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Jun 29, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(j)(1)(i):  The employer did not ensure that all surfaces were maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of chromium (VI):    (a)  A wipe sample of Clean locker #12 (shared locker room) taken on February 27, 2012 indicated a surface level of 0.06  micrograms of Cr(VI).     (b)  A wipe sample of the middle of the bench seat (shared locker room) taken on February 27, 2012 indicated a surface level of 2.07 micrograms of Cr(VI).    (c)  A wipe sample of dirty locker #13 (shared locker room) taken on February 27, 2012 indicated a surface level of 0.34 micrograms of Cr(VI).     (d)  A wipe sample of the top shelf inside the refrigerator in the shared break area taken on February 27, 2012 indicated a surface level of 0.09 micrograms of Cr(VI).    (e)   A wipe sample of the desk top (AG office) taken on 	March 1, 2012 indicated a surface level of 5.06 micrograms of   Cr(VI).    (f)  A wipe sample of the telephone handle/mouthpiece (AG office) taken on March 1, 2012 indicated a surface level of 1.09 micrograms of Cr(VI).     (g)  A wipe sample of the OSU shirt (AG office) taken on March 1, 2012 indicated a surface level of 7.17 micrograms of Cr(VI).    (h)  A wipe sample of the top shelf of the refrigerator in the polishing area taken on March 1, 2012 indicated a surface level of 2.49 micrograms of Cr(VI).    (i)  A wipe sample of the top of a 2 liter Pepsi bottle in the polishing area refrigerator taken on March 1, 2012 indicated a surface level of 0.42 micrograms of Cr(VI).    (j)  A wipe sample of Mt. Dew cardboard case in the polishing area refrigerator taken on March 1, 2012 indicated a surface level of 0.13 micrograms of Cr(VI).     (k) A wipe sample of the water fountain handle in the shop taken on March 1, 2012 indicated a surface level of 0.90 micrograms of Cr(VI).    (l)  A wipe sample of  the water fountain mouthpiece in the shop taken on March 1, 2012 indicated a surface level of 0.82 micrograms of Cr(VI).    (m)  A wipe sample of the shelf by an employee's thermos in (JA) work area in the plating area taken on March 1, 2012 indicated a surface level of 23.01 micrograms of Cr(VI).    (n)  A wipe sample of clean uniform locker #3  in the shop taken on March 1, 2012indicated a surface level of 7.98 micrograms of Cr(VI).    (o)  A wipe sample of a clean uniform shirt sleeve from (WB) locker in the shop taken on March 1, 2012 indicated a surface level of 0.88 micrograms of Cr(VI).    (p)  A wipe sample of the middle of the bench seat by the lockers in the shop taken on March 1, 2012 indicated a surface level of 11.57 micrograms of Cr(VI).    (q)  A wipe sample of (DR) Locker #5 wall in the shop taken on March 1, 2012 indicated a surface level of 2.72 micrograms of Cr(VI).    (r)  A wipe sample of the refrigerator door handle in the shared break area taken on February 27, 2012 indicated no detectable levels of Cr(VI).      In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Jun 29, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $1,700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(k)(1)(i)(A):  The employer did not make medical surveillance available for all employees who were or could be occupationally exposed to chromium (VI) at or above the action level for 30 or more days a year:    (a)  The employer had not provided medical surveillance for any of the eight employees who worked in the chrome plating and polishing shop, even though one employee who performed all of the jobs, was exposed to an eight hour time weighted average of 3.0 ug/m3 of CrVI in a 403 minute sampling period with a value of zero added for the 77 minutes not sampled.      In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 25, 2012

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1):  All places of employment, passageways, storerooms or service rooms were not kept clean and orderly or in a sanitary condition.    (a)  On or about February 27, 2011 the trash can in the masking/preparation area was overflowing and trash was piling up on the floor of the work area presenting a trip hazard.    (b)  On or about February 27, 2011 there was a pile of boxes, trash and recently delivered parts on the floor of the work area near the owner's desk in the production area and spreading out into the aisleway, which was used by pedestrian and fork lift traffic, presenting a trip and traffic hazard.         In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET)

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 25, 2012

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1):  The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present, or were likely to be present, which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment (PPE):      (a)  The employer did not conduct a PPE hazard assessment for employees working in a chrome plating and polishing shop who were exposed to Cr VI above the OSHA action level on March 1, 2012.      In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET)

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 18, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2):  The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed through written certification that identified the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation had been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, identified the document as a certification of the hazard assessment:    (a)  The employer did not keep certification records for a PPE hazard assessment for employees working in a chrome plating and polishing shop who were exposed to Cr VI above the OSHA action level on March 1, 2012.        In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET)

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 18, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(i):  Respirator users were not provided with the information contained in Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134 when the employer determined that any voluntary respirator use was permissible:    (a)  The employer did not provide the information in Appendix D of this standard to employees who were provided with Sperian Saf T Fit Plus N1115 N95 dust masks for voluntary use.      In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET)

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 18, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(ii):  The employer did not establish and implement those elements of a written program necessary to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily was medically able to use that respirator, and that the respirator was cleaned, stored, and maintained so that its use does not present a health hazard to the user:    (a)  The employer did not provide any physical evaluations or training for the one employee who wore a tight fitting facepiece respirator for voluntary use while working in chrome plating and polishing and was exposed to hexavelent chromium at an eight hour time weighted average of 3.0 ug/m3 for the 403 minute sampling period with a value of zero added for the 77 minutes not sampled on March 1, 2012    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET)

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

May 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $600

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1):   One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:    (a)  The NO-23 lathe located near the time clock and used to polish parts before plating, did not have guards to cover the spindle end, nut, and flange projections.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET)

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

May 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(b)(2):  Crank(s) or connecting rod(s) exposed to contact were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o) or by guardrail(s) as described in CFR 1910.219(o)(5)    (a)  The NO-23 lathe located near the time clock and used to polish parts before plating, did not have guards to cover the spindle end, nut, and flange projections.      In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET)

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 18, 2012

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5)(i):  The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the identity of the hazardous chemical(s) contained therein:    On or about February 27, 2012 many unlabeled containers of chemicals were noted throughout the facliity:     (a)  Several plastic containers varying in size from 200 millileters to over five gallons and located throughout the facility were not labeled with the identity of the chemical each contained, even though most of them contained solvent.    (b)  Two five gallon buckets without lids, one labeled "corrosive" and the other not labeled at all, contained oil left over from maintenance work and were sitting by the wall near the refirgerator in the shop.     (c)  An open beaker on the counter where lab analysis was run contained a blue substance that was either copper sulfate or Root Killer according to the employer.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET)

Issued

Apr 11, 2012

Abate by

Apr 18, 2012

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5)(ii):  The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the appropriate hazard warnings:    On or about February 27, 2012 many unlabeled containers of chemicals were noted throughout the facliity:     (a)  Several plastic containers varying in size from 200 millileters to over five gallons and located throughout the facility were not labeled with the identity of the chemical each contained, even though most of them contained solvent.    (b)  Two five gallon buckets without lids, one labeled "corrosive" and the other not labeled at all, contained oil left over from maintenance work and were sitting by the wall near the refirgerator in the shop.     (c)  An open beaker on the counter where lab analysis was run contained a blue substance that was either copper sulfate or Root Killer according to the employer.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET)