OSHA Inspection: NATIONAL PLASTICS MFG CO., INC.

Issued

May 23, 2012

Abate by

Jun 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1):     Open-sided floors or platforms 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) on all open sides:    a) Cumberland Grinder Platform: Employees were feeding the Cumberland grinder from the platform approximately 69 inches above the ground level and the guardrail system did not  cover all areas of the platform and was missing a midrail, on or about April 11, 2012.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 23, 2012

Abate by

Jun 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(1):     Every flight of stairs having four or more risers was not equipped with standard stair railings or standard handrails as specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (v) of this section:    a) Cumberland Grinder Platform: The flight of stairs leading to the Cumberland grinder platform had five risers and a standard stair railing or handrail was not installed, on or about April 11, 2012.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 23, 2012

Abate by

Sep 20, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1):     When employees were subjected to sound exceeding those listed in Table G-16, feasible administrative or engineering controls were not utilized:    a) Production Area: An employee, Machine Operator, operating the Cumberland grinder line was exposed to continuous noise at 470.3% of the permissible exposure level of 90 dBA or an eight-hour time-weighted average of 101.2 dBA. This exposure was observed over a 477 minute sampling period on April 18, 2012. A zero exposure was assumed for the 3 minutes not sampled. Feasible engineering or administrative controls were not utilized to reduce employees' exposures, on or about April 18, 2012.    b) Production Area: An employee, Machine Operator, operating the Cumberland grinder line was exposed to continuous noise at 338.2% of the permissible exposure level of 90 dBA or an eight-hour time-weighted average of 98.8 dBA. This exposure was observed over a 478 minute sampling period on April 18, 2012. A zero exposure was assumed for the 2 minutes not sampled. Feasible engineering or administrative controls were not utilized to reduce employees' exposures, on or about April 18, 2012.    c) Production Area: An employee, Machine Operator, operating the ReTech shredder line was exposed to continuous noise at 286.8% of the permissible exposure level of 90 dBA or an eight-hour time-weighted average of 97.6 dBA. This exposure was observed over a 479 minute sampling period on April 18, 2012. A zero exposure was assumed for the 1 minute not sampled. Feasible engineering or administrative controls were not utilized to reduce employees' exposures, on or about April 18, 2012.    d) Production Area: An employee, Machine Operator, operating both lines was exposed to continuous noise at 316.5% of the permissible exposure level of 90 dBA or an eight-hour time-weighted average of 98.3 dBA. This exposure was observed over a 463 minute sampling period on April 18, 2012. A zero exposure was assumed for the 17 minutes not sampled. Feasible engineering or administrative controls were not utilized to reduce employees' exposures, on or about April 18, 2012.    Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

May 23, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1):     When information indicated that any employee's exposure equaled or exceed the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program:    a) Production Area: An employee, Machine Operator, was exposed to continuous noise above the permissible exposure level of 85 dBA as an eight-hour time-weighted average. The employer did not develop or implement a monitoring program, on or about April 18, 2012. See Citation 1.2 for full description.    b) Production Area: An employee, Machine Operator, was exposed to continuous noise above the permissible exposure level of 85 dBA as an eight-hour time-weighted average. The employer did not develop or implement a monitoring program, on or about April 18, 2012. See Citation 1.2 for full description.    c) Production Area: An employee, Machine Operator, was exposed to continuous noise above the permissible exposure level of 85 dBA as an eight-hour time-weighted average. The employer did not develop or implement a monitoring program, on or about April 18, 2012. See Citation 1.2 for full description.    d) Production Area: An employee, Machine Operator, was exposed to continuous noise above the permissible exposure level of 85 dBA as an eight-hour time-weighted average. The employer did not develop or implement a monitoring program, on or about April 18, 2012. See Citation 1.2 for full description.    No abatement certification or documentation required.

Issued

May 23, 2012

Abate by

Jul 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1):     The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:    a) Production Area: An employee, Machine Operator, was exposed to continuous noise above the permissible exposure level of 85 dBA as an eight-hour time-weighted average. The employer did not establish or maintain an audiometric testing program, on or about April 18, 2012. See Citation 1.2 for full description.    b) Production Area: An employee, Machine Operator, was exposed to continuous noise above the permissible exposure level of 85 dBA as an eight-hour time-weighted average. The employer did not establish or maintain an audiometric testing program, on or about April 18, 2012. See Citation1.2 for full description.    c) Production Area: An employee, Machine Operator, was exposed to continuous noise above the permissible exposure level of 85 dBA as an eight-hour time-weighted average. The employer did not establish or maintain an audiometric testing program, on or about April 18, 2012. See Citation 1.2 for full description.    d) Production Area: An employee, Machine Operator, was exposed to continuous noise above the permissible exposure level of 85 dBA as an eight-hour time-weighted average. The employer did not establish or maintain an audiometric testing program, on or about April 18, 2012. See Citation 1.2 for full description.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 23, 2012

Abate by

Jun 22, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1):     The employer did not train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95(k). The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:    a) Production Area: An employee, Machine Operator, was exposed to continuous noise above the permissible exposure level of 85 dBA as an eight-hour time-weighted average. The employer did not institute an effective noise training program, on or about April 18, 2012. See Citation 1.2 for full description.    b) Production Area: An employee, Machine Operator, was exposed to continuous noise above the permissible exposure level of 85 dBA as an eight-hour time-weighted average. The employer did not institute an effective noise training program, on or about April 18, 2012. See Citation 1.2 for full description.    c) Production Area: An employee, Machine Operator, was exposed to continuous noise above the permissible exposure level of 85 dBA as an eight-hour time-weighted average. The employer did not institute an effective noise training program, on or about April 18, 2012. See Citation 1.2 for full description.    d) Production Area: An employee, Machine Operator, was exposed to continuous noise above the permissible exposure level of 85 dBA as an eight-hour time-weighted average. The employer did not institute an effective noise training program, on or about April 18, 2012. See Citation 1.2 for full description.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 23, 2012

Abate by

Jun 22, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(1):     An educational program was not provided for all employees to familiarize them with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting:    a) Warehouse: Employees were not provided training to familiarize them with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting, on or about April 18, 2012.    ABATEMENT NOTE: By this date the employer must either correct the alleged violation or implement a Fire Safety Policy, as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.38(a) and (b) which included the evacuation requirement of 29 CFR 1910.157(b).    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 23, 2012

Abate by

Jun 22, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(iii):     An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operators performance was not conducted at least once every 3 years    a) Warehouse: Employees who received forklift training approximately 5 years ago were not re-evaluated at least every three years, on or about April 18, 2012.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 23, 2012

Abate by

Jun 7, 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) Warehouse: Employees were trained in the operation of the forklift but a certification of the training was not provided, on or about April 18, 2012.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 23, 2012

Abate by

Jun 22, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 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) Company-wide: Employees use cleaning products, maintenance chemicals and propane and a written hazard communications program was not developed or implemented, on or about April 11, 2012.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 23, 2012

Abate by

Jun 22, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(1):     The employer did not have a material safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical in use:    a) Company-wide: Employees use propane and other maintenance chemical.  Material safety data sheets were not readily accessible for these products, on or about April 11, 2012.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 23, 2012

Abate by

Jul 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1):     Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:    a) Company-wide: Employees use cleaning products, maintenance products and propane and training on the hazards associated with the products was not provided to employees at the time of their initial assignment, on or about April 11, 2012.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 23, 2012

Abate by

Jun 22, 2012

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.4(a):  The employer did not record each work-related fatality, injury or illness case that resulted in the general recording criteria on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent:    a) Company-wide: An employee sustained a back injury on January 9, 2012 and required medical attention beyond first aid. The employer did not maintain an OSHA 300 log or equivalent form, on or about April 18, 2012.    b) Company-wide: An employee sustained an injury to the left hand which required stitches on January 20, 2012 and one day away from work. The employer did not maintain an OSHA 300 log or equivalent form, on or about April 11, 2012.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 23, 2012

Abate by

Jun 22, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.29(b)(2):     The employer did not complete an OSHA 301 Incident Report form, or an equivalent form, for each recordable injury or illness entered on the OSHA 300 Log:    a) Company-wide: An employee sustained a back injury on January 9, 2012 and required medical attention beyond first aid. The employer did not complete an OSHA 301 Incident Report or equivalent form, on or about April 18, 2012.    b) Company-wide: An employee sustained an injury to the left hand which required stitches on January 20, 2012 and one day away from work. The employer did not complete an OSHA 301 Incident Report or equivalent form, on or about April 11, 2012.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.