OSHA Inspection: XYCARB CERAMICS USA, INC.

Issued

Jul 31, 2012

Abate by

Aug 14, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1):     A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:     On or about June 6, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not implement and enforce their written respiratory protection program by requiring maintenance employees working in the acid room and grit blasting rooms to wear tight fitting full or half face respirators, exposing employees to acid vapors and silica.     Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that employees working in the grit blasting booth wear tight fitting respirators as required by the company's respiratory protection program.

Issued

Jul 31, 2012

Abate by

Aug 14, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1):     The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:    On or about June 6, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the employer required maintenance staff working in the acid and grit blasting rooms to wear respirators without implementing medical evaluations, exposing employees to acid vapors and silica.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that employees are provided with medical evaluations before using respirators.

Issued

Jul 31, 2012

Abate by

Aug 14, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2):     Employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator:    On or about June 6, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the employer required maintenance staff to wear respirators while working in the acid and grit blasting rooms without ensuring each employee is fit tested prior to use, exposing employees to the hazard of acid vapors and silica.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that all employees required to use a tight fighting respirator are fit tested.

Issued

Jul 31, 2012

Abate by

Aug 14, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(2):     The educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage firefighting was not provided to all employees upon initial employment, and at least annually thereafter:    On or about June 6, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not provide annual fire extinguisher training to employees authorized by the employer to fight incipient stage fires, exposing employees to the hazard of burns and smoke inhalation.     Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure fire extinguisher training is conducted annually for employees that are expected to fight fires.

Issued

Jul 31, 2012

Abate by

Aug 14, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,785 · Current $1,093 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(D):     Flexible cords and cables were attached to building surfaces:    On or about June 6, 2012, and at times prior thereto, extension cords in the hot work room and in the machine shop were affixed to building surfaces, exposing employees to shock and burn hazards.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that flexible cords are not affixed to building surfaces.

Issued

Jul 31, 2012

Abate by

Aug 14, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii):     Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief was provided that would prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws:    On or about June 6, 2012, at times prior thereto, the cord to the mig wire feed welder in the maintenance container room had exposed wires where the cord attaches to the plug, exposing employees to an electrical shock hazard.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that the strain reilef issue on the mig wire fed welder cord are fixed.

Issued

Jul 31, 2012

Abate by

Aug 14, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2):     The employer did not verify, through a written certification, the identity of the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation had been performed, and the date the hazard assessment was done:    On or about June 6, 2012, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not verify that a hazard assessment had been conducted through a written certification that identifies the work evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed, the dates of hazard assessment, and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that a written certification of a PPE assessment will be completed.