OSHA Inspection: MITSUI-SOKO (U.S.A.) INC.

Issued

Apr 30, 2012

Abate by

May 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,700 · Current $1,890 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a):     Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:    (a) Mitsui-Soko (U.S.A.) Inc. did not enforce the use of arm coverings in the form of lab coats, protective sleeves, etc. to prevent skin irritation from contact with powder during the sample preparation process.    Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Apr 30, 2012

Abate by

May 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:    (a) Mitsui-Soko (U.S.A.) Inc. conducted an incomplete hazard assessment and provided employees which conduct the powder sample preparation process with dust masks, gloves, and goggles, but failed to ensure the use of protective arm coverings in the form of sleeves, lab coats, etc.    Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Apr 30, 2012

Abate by

May 7, 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 has been performed through a written certification which included the requirements as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2):    (a) Mitsui-Soko (U.S.A.) Inc. failed to produce written certification of a workplace hazard assessment which should have identified the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation had been performed, the date(s) of the hazard assessment, and indentification on the document as a certification of the hazard assessment. Employees who carry out the powder sample preparation process have skin exposure on their arms as they reach into bags to scoop the powder.    Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Apr 30, 2012

Abate by

Jun 12, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,700 · Current $1,890 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1):     The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:    (a) Mitsui-Soko (U.S.A.) Inc. requires several employees to transfer various powders in the polyvinyl achohol family with varying percentages of other ingredients including but not limited to methanol and methyl acetate from bags to plastic containers by hand with a scoop. The employees were not trained on the hazards associated with the powders which include but are not limited to: irritation upon skin or eye contact, throat irritation and coughing through inhalation, and severe poisoning and or death from ingestion.    Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Apr 30, 2012

Abate by

May 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $630 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.29(a):     The employer did not use an OSHA 300, 301 and 300A Form or equivalent:    (a) Mitsui-Soko (U.S.A.) Inc. does not use an OSHA 300, 301 and 300A Form or equivalent to track and keep a record of the injuries and illnesses which occur to its warehouse employees. Injuries which would be recordable have occurred to these employees in the past. An injury involving a forklift operator occurred on January 18th, 2012 and was not recorded on the proper OSHA forms by Mitsui-Soko (U.S.A.).    Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Apr 30, 2012

Abate by

May 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(6):     The employer did not provide the basic advisory information on respirators, as presented in Appendix D of 29 CFR 1910.134, in written or oral format to employees who wear respirators when such use was not required by the employer:    (a) On or about March 2nd, 2012, warehouse employees who use dust masks (with and without exhalation valves) on a voluntary basis when handling powders during the sample preparation process were not provided the information presented in Appendix D of 29 CFR 1910.134.    Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Apr 30, 2012

Abate by

Jun 12, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6):     The employer did not certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by this paragraph (l):    a) Mitsui-Soko (U.S.A) Inc. did not certify in writing that each powered industrial vehicle operator in their employment has been trained and evaluated in the safe operation of a powered industrial vehicle. 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.    Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).