OSHA Inspection: ALVIN CHEMICAL, INC.

Issued

2012-06-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-08-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4200.00 · Current $2730.00 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, when the employer failed to develope and institute a hose inspection program in accordance with the manufacturers instructions, exposing employees to chemical burns, asphyxiation, fires and explosion hazards due to loss of containment. This condition was most recently observed at Alvin Chemical, Inc, in Alvin, TX, when employees were using frayed or kinked hoses that had not been inspected and tested prior to use. Employees connect and disconnect transfer hoses while adding, transferring and or mixing chemicals.

Issued

2012-06-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-07-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2400.00 · Current $1560.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(d)(7)(iv):     "Water reactive materials." The employer did not ensure that materials which will react with water was not be stored in the same room with flammable or combustible liquids.    This condition was most recently observed at Alvin Chemical, Inc, in Alvin, TX, Building 5, when the employer did not ensure that water reactive material, was not stored along with flammables and combustibles in the warehouse.

Issued

2012-06-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-07-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3000.00 · Current $1950.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(i):     "General." The employer did not ensure that adequate precautions were taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors. Sources of ignition include but are not limited to open flames; lightning; smoking; cutting and welding; hot surfaces; frictional heat; static, electrical, and mechanical sparks; spontaneous ignition, including heat-producing chemical reactions; and radiant heat.                                                                     -In the Alternative-    1910.304(g)(6)(iv)(D)  Exposed noncurrent-carrying metal parts of fixed equipment that may become energized shall be grounded If in a hazardous (classified) location;      This condition was most recently observed at Alvin Chemical, Inc, in Alvin, TX when the employer did not take adequate precautions to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors in the tank located in the mixing area, as a result of the tank not being grounded and bonded.

Issued

2012-06-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-08-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3600.00 · Current $2340.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2):     The employer did not verify, through a written certification, that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed:      This condition was most recently observed at Alvin Chemical, Inc, in Alvin, TX where the employer did not have a written hazard assessment for the facility that determined if hazards are present that necessitate the use of personal protective equipment in the following areas:    a.	Blending area (Warehouse 2)  b.	Mixing/Blending Area (Isotank)  c.	Transfer Area  d.	Shipping and Receiving from tank trucks

Issued

2012-06-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4200.00 · Current $2730.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c):     The employer did not ensure that 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.  [63 FR 33450, June 18, 1998]    This condition was most recently observed at Alvin Chemical, Inc, in Alvin, TX where the employer did not ensure that employees were provided means of quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body in the mixing area.

Issued

2012-06-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-08-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3600.00 · Current $2340.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(ii):     Prior to permitting an employee to operate a powered industrial truck (except for training purposes), the employer did not ensure that each operator has successfully completed the training required by this paragraph (l), except as permitted by paragraph (l)(5).    This condition was most recently observed at Alvin Chemical, Inc, in Alvin, TX where the employer did not ensure that employees operating the forklift had successfully completed training required prior to operating the forklifts, therefore exposing the employees to hazards such as struck-by.

Issued

2012-06-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-08-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6):     Certification. The employer did not certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by this paragraph (l). The certification shall include the name of the operator, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation.    This condition was most recently observed at Alvin Chemical, Inc, in Alvin, TX where the employer did not certify that each forklift operator had been trained and evaluated in operating the forklifts at the facility.

Issued

2012-06-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $510.00 · Current $332.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.1(a)(2):     The employer did not maintain OSHA injury and illness records at the facility after having more than ten (10) employees at any time during the last calendar year.     This condition was most recently observed at Alvin Chemical, Inc in Alvin, TX when the employer failed to maintain an OSHA injury and illness records for the facility.

Issued

2012-06-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-07-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $600.00 · Current $390.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1):     The employer did not develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met, and which also includes the following:    This condition was most recently observed at Alvin Chemical, Inc, in Alvin, TX where the employer failed to develop and implement a written hazard communication program, to meet the training needs of the employees working in the facility.