OSHA Inspection: CANSTO COATINGS, LTD

Issued

Oct 3, 2012

Abate by

Nov 30, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(a)(2): The employer did not establish and maintain a respiratory protection program which included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.134(c):     On or about July 26, 2012, the mixer working in the mixing area was exposed to toluene vapors at 235.89 ppm which is appoximately 1.18 times the permissable exposure limit of 200 ppm; exposure calculations included a zero increment for 27 minutes not sampled. At this time employees are being exposed to levels above the PEL and the employer shall require mandatory use of a respirator until feasible engineering controls can be put in place. At the time of the inspection the mixers were wearing half face respirators when mixing paints and varnishes however a program did not exist.

Issued

Oct 3, 2012

Abate by

Jan 31, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(c): An employee was exposed to (toluene vapors) in excess of the 8-hour time weighted average limits of (200 ppm) listed in Table Z-3:    On or about July 26, 2012, the mixer working in the mixing area was exposed to toluene vapors at 235.89 ppm which is approximately 1.18 times the permissible exposure limit of 200 ppm; exposure calculations included a zero increment for 27 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Oct 3, 2012

Abate by

Jan 31, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(e): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not determined and implemented to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d):    On or about July 26, 2012, the mixer working in the mixing area was exposed to toluene vapors at 235.89 ppm which is approximately 1.18 times the permissible exposure limit of 200 ppm; exposure calculations included a zero increment for 27 minutes not sampled.  At the time of the inspection, feasible administrative and engineering controls were not implemented.    General methods of control include, but are not limited to:    1. Install a vapor control appratus on mixers.    2. Use an exhaust ventilation system to capture vapors.     Abatement Steps     STEP 1:  Effective respirators shall be provided and used by all employee(s) as an interim measure.  Abatement must be completed by (5 working days).      STEP 2:  Submit to the Area Director a written detailed plan of abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measures to control employee exposures as referenced in this citation.  This plan shall include, at a minimum, target dates for the following actions which must be consistent with the dates required by this citation.     a)  Evaluation of the extent and location of the hazard source.     b)  Evaluation of control measure options.     c)  Selection of optimum control method(s).     d)  Determination of control measure design.     e)  Ordering and delivery of equipment and material(s).     f)  Installation of control measures.     g)  Training of employees in proper operation and maintenance of newly-implemented control measures.     h)  Assurance of effective performance of control measures.     All proposed control measures shall be evaluated for each particular use by a technically qualified person.  Abatement must be completed by (15 working days).     STEP 3:  Correction should have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls and their effectiveness in achieving compliance.  Abatement must be completed by (30 working days).

Issued

Oct 3, 2012

Abate by

Oct 13, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 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    On or about June 6, 2012, the company did not implement and maintain a written hazard communication program at the site. Employees work with hazardous chemicals such as, but not limited to varnishes and coatings that contain xylene, toluene, ethyl benzene, isobutyl acetate, and battery acid.

Issued

Oct 3, 2012

Abate by

Oct 13, 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:    On or about June 6, 2012, the employer did not provide training or information to employees working with hazardous chemicals such as, but not limited to varnishes and coatings that contain xylene, toluene, ethyl benzene, isobutyl acetate, and battery acid.