OSHA Inspection: AXIS STEEL, INC.

Issued

Sep 20, 2012

Abate by

Oct 5, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,080 · Current $648 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(b)(2)(iii):  Workers and other persons adjacent to the welding area were not protected from the rays by noncombustible or flameproof screens or shields:  (a)  Axis Steel Inc at 802 E 2nd Place, Craig, CO 81626:  On and before April 2, 2012, workers and other persons adjacent to the outdoor welding area in the warehouse were not protected from the rays by welding screens.  This condition potentially exposes employees to injurious light radiation.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Sep 20, 2012

Abate by

Oct 5, 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)  Axis Steel Inc at 802 E 2nd Place, Craig, CO 81626:  On and before April 2, 2012, 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.  Employees conducting torch-cutting on steel wore half-mask elastomeric respirators.  These employees had not received medical evaluations, fit tests, or respiratory protection training.  This condition exposes employees to the physiological hazards of wearing a respirator without the evaluation of a physician or other licensed healthcare professional.    Abatement Note:  The employer shall include in the program the following provisions of 29 CFR 1910.134 as applicable:  (1)  Procedures for selecting respirators for use in the workplace;  (2)  Medical evaluations of employees required to use respirators;  (3)  Fit testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators;  (4)  Procedures for proper use of respirators in routine and reasonably foreseeable emergency situations;  (5)  Procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and otherwise maintaining respirators;  (6)  Procedures to ensure adequate air quality, quantity, and flow of breathing air for atmosphere-supplying respirators;  (7)  Training of employees in the respiratory hazards to which they are potentially exposed during routine and emergency situations;  (8)  Training of employees in the proper use of respirators, including putting on and removing them, any limitations on their use, and their maintenance; and,  (9)  Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program.  Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Sep 20, 2012

Abate by

Oct 5, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(iii):  The employer did not identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace which includes a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazards and identification of the contaminants chemical state and physical form:  (a)  Axis Steel Inc at 802 E 2nd Place, Craig, CO 81626:  On and before April 2, 2012, the employer did not identify and evaluate the respiratory hazards in the workplace.  Employees perform tasks such as, but not limited to, welding on stainless steel, galvanized steel, and primed and powder-coated materials.  These tasks potentially expose employees to respiratory hazards associated with welding fumes.    (a)  Axis Steel Inc at 802 E 2nd Place, Craig, CO 81626:  On and before April 2, 2012, the employer did not identify and evaluate the respiratory hazards in the workplace.  Employees conduct priming.  This potentially exposes employees to respiratory hazards associated with paint.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Sep 20, 2012

Abate by

Oct 5, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(4):  Portable fire extinguishers were not maintained in a fully charged and operable condition:  (a)  Axis Steel Inc at 802 E 2nd Place, Craig, CO 81626:  On and before April 4, 2012, a portable fire extinguisher in the western indoor fabrication shop had not been maintained in a fully charged and operable state.  This condition potentially exposes an employee to a fire hazard.  Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Sep 20, 2012

Abate by

Oct 5, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii):  Unused openings in cabinets, boxes, and fittings were not effectively closed:  (a)  Axis Steel Inc at 802 E 2nd Place, Craig, CO 81626:  On and before April 4, 2012, an electrical panel located in the main warehouse along the south wall had open breakers.  The panel is accessed for lights, shear, and band saw.  This potentially exposed employees to an electrical hazard.  (b)  Axis Steel Inc at 802 E 2nd Place, Craig, CO 81626:  On and before April 4, 2012, a junction box located near the outdoor fabrication area was not effectively closed.  The junction box had multiple missing knockouts.  This potentially exposed employees to an electrical hazard.  Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Sep 20, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(l)(1)(i):  The employer who has a workplace in which there is a potential exposure to airborne lead at any level did not inform employees of the content of Appendices A and B of this regulation:  (a)  Axis Steel Inc at 802 E 2nd Place, Craig, CO 81626:  On and before April 2, 2012, the employer did not inform employees of the content of Appendices A and B of 29 CFR 1910.1025.  Employees conducting torch-cutting on steel are potentially exposed to airborne lead.  The condition exposes employees to chemical hazards associated with lead.  Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is not required for this item.

Issued

Sep 20, 2012

Abate by

Oct 5, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5):  The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged, or marked with the identity and appropriate hazard warnings regarding the chemicals contained therein:  (a)  Axis Steel Inc at 802 E 2nd Place, Craig, CO 81626:  On and before April 4, 2012, the employer did not ensure that a container of milk, cutting fluid, was labeled with the identity and health warnings associated with the chemical.  This condition exposes employees to a chemical hazard.  Abatement Note:  Each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace must be labeled with the following information:  (1)  Identity of the hazardous chemical(s); and,  (2)  Appropriate hazard warnings with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical(s).  Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).