OSHA Inspection: HERITAGE-WTI, INC.

Issued

Sep 7, 2012

Abate by

Oct 15, 2012

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $6,300

Hazardous substances 022019452460

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a):     Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, were not provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it was 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:      On or before March 13, 2012, the employer required at least three employees working with Waste Stream 37447-38 to perform the work while wearing DuPont Tychem SL saranex suits.  The suits did not provide adequate protection from chemicals in Waste Stream 37447-38, including but not limited to aniline, toluene, m-mononitrotoluene, o-mononitrotoluene, and p-mononitrotoluene as evidenced by higher than normal methemoglobin levels found for each of the three employees.

Issued

Sep 7, 2012

Abate by

Oct 15, 2012

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 022019452460

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(i):     The employer did not select and have each affected employee use, the types of personal protective equipment that would protect the affected employee(s) from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment:  On or before March 13, 2012, the employer did not select appropriate personal protective equipment and did not ensure that each affected employee used personal protective equipment that would adequately protect them from the chemicals contained in Waste Stream 37447-38, which include but are not limited to, aniline, toluene, m-mononitrotoluene, o-mononitrotoluene, and p-mononitrotoluene.

Issued

Sep 7, 2012

Abate by

Oct 15, 2012

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $6,300

Hazardous substances 022019452460

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(2)(i):     The employer did not ensure that appropriate surveillance was maintained of work area conditions and degree of employee exposure or stress in order to reevaluate the continued effectiveness of the respirator    On or before March 13, 2012, the employer required at least three employees working with Waste Stream 37447-38 to perform the work while wearing 3M Full Facepiece Respirators (7000 Series) with combination cartridges that can be used with or without supplied air.  The employees were exposed to the chemicals in Waste Stream 37447-38, including but not limited to aniline, toluene, m-mononitrotoluene, o-mononitrotoluene, and p-mononitrotoluene as evidenced by higher than normal methemoglobin levels found for each of the three employees.  The employees were working in the roll off box in Bay 2 with the bay door partly down.  The employees work area conditions and degree of employee exposure or stress were not reevaluated to assess the effectiveness of the respirators.

Issued

Sep 7, 2012

Abate by

Oct 15, 2012

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,410 Reduced

Hazardous substances 022019452460

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a):     The employer did not select and require employee(s) to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands were exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasion; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.    On or before March 13, 2012, the employer required at least three employees working with Waste Stream 37447-38 to perform the work while wearing Stanzoil (style NL 34) neoprene gloves.  The gloves did not provide adequate protection from chemicals in Waste Stream 37447-38, including but not limited to aniline, toluene, m-mononitrotoluene, o-mononitrotoluene, and p-mononitrotoluene as evidenced by higher than normal methemoglobin levels found for each of the three employees.