OSHA Inspection: SMC ALUMINUM FOUNDRY, LLC

Issued

Oct 10, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. For purposes of the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with appendix A and Table G-16a, and without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment.    a. SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about May 30, 2012, the employer did not ensure an effective hearing conservation program was implemented which consisted of audiometric testing, hearing conservation training, and personal noise monitoring.

Issued

Oct 10, 2012

Abate by

Oct 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $980 Reduced

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.    a.  SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about May 30, 2012, the employer did not ensure flame retardant clothing was provided for the torso and the legs to employees performing molten aluminum pouring operations.    b.  SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about May 30, 2012, the employer did not ensure flame retardant clothing was provided for the torso and the legs to employees performing furnace tending and charging operations.    c.  SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about May 30, 2012, the employer did not ensure flame retardant clothing was provided for the torso and the legs to employees removing mold jackets adjacent to molten aluminum pouring operations.

Issued

Oct 10, 2012

Abate by

Oct 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee used appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.    a.  SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about May 30, 2012, the employer did not ensure face shields were worn by employees performing molten aluminum pouring operations.    b.  SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about May 30, 2012, the employer did not ensure face shields were worn by employees performing furnace tending and charging operations.    c.  SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about May 30, 2012, the employer did not ensure face shields were worn by employees removing mold jackets adjacent to molten aluminum pouring operations.    d.  SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about May 30, 2012, the employer did not ensure face shields were worn by an employee using the band saws to cut aluminum castings.    e.  SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about May 30, 2012, the employer did not ensure safety glasses were worn by employees removing mold jackets adjacent to molten aluminum pouring operations.

Issued

Oct 10, 2012

Abate by

Oct 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.135(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee wore a protective helmet when working in areas where there was a potential for injury to the head from falling objects.    a.  SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about May 30, 2012, the employer did not ensure hard hats were worn by employees performing molten aluminum pouring operations.    b.  SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about May 30, 2012, the employer did not ensure hard hats were worn by employees performing furnace tending and charging operations.    c.  SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about May 30, 2012, the employer did not ensure hard hats were worn by employees removing mold jackets adjacent to molten aluminum pouring operations.

Issued

Oct 10, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $980 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.332(b)(1): Employees were not trained in and familiar with the safety-related work practices required by 1910.331 through 1910.335 that pertain to their respective job assignments.    a.  SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about July 19, 2012, the employer did not ensure a maintenance employee performing troubleshooting activities in the main 480 volt electrical panel was properly trained on what electrical protective equipment was required when exposed to electrical hazards.

Issued

Oct 10, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.333(a):  Safety-related work practices were not employed to prevent electric shock or other injuries resulting from either direct or indirect electrical contacts, when work was performed near or on equipment or circuits which are or may be energized. The specific safety-related work practices shall be consistent with the nature and extent of the associated electrical hazards.    a.  SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about July 19, 2012, the employer did not ensure a maintenance employee performing troubleshooting activities in the main 480 volt electrical panel implemented electrical safety work practices by wearing electrical protective equipment for the head, face, hands, and body when exposed to electrical hazards.

Issued

Oct 10, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $980 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i): Employees working in areas where there was a potential electrical hazards were not provided with, and did not use, electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed.     a.  SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about July 19, 2012, the employer did not ensure a maintenance employee performing troubleshooting activities in the main 480 volt electical panel wore electrical protective equipment for the body and hands when exposed to electrical hazards.

Issued

Oct 10, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(iv): Employees did not wear nonconductive head protection wherever there was a danger of head injury from electric shock or burns due to contact with exposed energized parts.    a.  SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about July 19, 2012, the employer did not ensure a maintenance employee performing troubleshooting activities in the main 480 volt electrical panel wore electrical protective equipment for the head when exposed to electrical hazards.

Issued

Oct 10, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(v): Employees did not wear protective equipment for the eyes or face wherever there was a danger of injury to the eyes or face from electric arcs or flashes or from flying objects resulting from electrical explosion.    a.  SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about July 19, 2012, the employer did not ensure a maintenance employee performing troubleshooting activities in the main 480 volt electrical panel wore electrical protective equipment for the face when exposed to electrical hazards.

Issued

Oct 10, 2012

Abate by

Oct 24, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $700 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employers 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:    a. SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about May 30, 2012, the employer did not ensure a written hazard communication program was developed and implemented.  Employees working in the foundry are exposed to crystalline silica dust, aluminum dust, and welding fumes on a daily basis.

Issued

Oct 10, 2012

Abate by

Oct 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employers did not provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area. Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (e.g., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and material safety data sheets.    a. SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about May 30, 2012, the employer did not ensure employees were provided with information and training on the physical and health effects of crystalline silica dust produced in the molding department and the aluminum dust generated in the tumbleblast operation.

Issued

Oct 10, 2012

Abate by

Oct 17, 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 had been performed through a written certification that identified the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation had been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identified the document as a certification of hazard assessment.    a.  SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about May 30, 2012, the employer did not ensure the hazard assessments for the melting and pouring operations were documented.

Issued

Oct 10, 2012

Abate by

Oct 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.145(c)(3): Safety instruction signs were not used when there was a need for general instructions and suggestions relative to safety measures.    a. SMC Aluminum Foundry, LLC located in North Baltimore, OH:  On or about May 30, 2012, the employer did not ensure signs were posted in the finishing room warning of the hazards of combustible aluminum dust.