OSHA Inspection: TORRES ENTERPRISES INC

Issued

Aug 13, 2012

Abate by

Sep 11, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 01701030

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1):     The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present, or were likely to be present, which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment:    On or about 21 June 2012, the employer did not assess hazards associated with melting gold and cleaning jewelry.  No hazard assessment was performed for these operations to ensure that personal protective equipment, including but not limited to gloves and goggles were provided and used by jewelry fabricator(s) and polisher(s).     a) A jewelry polisher used an ultrasonic water bath filled with Chemetall Oakite BCR (contains Monoethanolamine 10-20%, pH=10.5); Majestic Extra Strength Ammonia (pH 11.0) and water.  An employee was observed dipping jewelry in the bath to clean off polishing residue then cleaning off the solution using steam (temperature equal to or greater than 100 degrees Celsius) without hand or eye protection against splashes.    b) A jewelry fabricator was observed melting gold in a crucible using an oxy-acetylene welding torch without hand protection against thermal hazards of the welding flame (temperature equal or greater than 3500 degrees Celsius).

Issued

Aug 13, 2012

Abate by

Sep 11, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 01701030

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1):     The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses 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) On or about 21 June 2012, the employer did not ensure that jewelry polisher(s) used   appropriate eye or face protection to protect against splashes when cleaning  jewelry using the vibrating water bath containing hazardous cleaning solution and when cleaning jewelry using steam.  A jewelry polisher used an ultrasonic water bath filled with Chemetall Oakite BCR (contains Monoethanolamine 10-20%, pH=10.5); Majestic Extra Strength Ammonia (pH 11.0) and water.  The employee was observed dipping jewelry in the bath to clean off polishing residue then cleaning off the solution using steam (temperature equal to or greater than 100 degrees Celsius) without eye protection against splashes.

Issued

Aug 13, 2012

Abate by

Sep 11, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 01701030

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a):     The employer did not select and require employee(s) to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands were exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasion; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.     On or about 21 June 2012, the employer did not select and require use of appropriate hand protection by jewelry fabricator(s) when melting gold and by polisher(s) when cleaning jewelry using the ultrasonic water bath and steam.      a) A jewelry polisher used an ultrasonic water bath filled with Chemetall Oakite BCR (contains Monoethanolamine 10-20%, pH=10.5); Majestic Extra Strength Ammonia (pH 11.0) and water.  An employee was observed dipping jewelry in the bath to clean off polishing residue then cleaning off the solution using steam (temperature equal to or greater than 100 degrees Celsius) without hand protection against splashes.    b) A jewelry fabricator was observed melting gold in a crucible using an oxy-acetylene welding torch without hand protection against thermal hazards of the welding flame with temperatures equal to or greater than 3500 degrees Celsius.

Issued

Aug 13, 2012

Abate by

Sep 25, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0170103014301860B141

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) On or about 11 June 2012, the employer did not develop or implement a written hazard communication program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1) that would describe or include at least the following:    1) Requirement for labeling of containers of hazardous chemicals;  2) Material safety data sheet availability;  3) Training of employees;  4) A complete list of hazardous chemicals known to be in the workplace;  5) Methods to inform employees of the hazards on non-routine tasks; and  6) Methods to inform other employer(s) of material safety data sheet availability; the labeling system; and any precautionary measures to protect employees.    Jewelry polisher(s) were exposed to hazardous chemicals including but not limited to Chemetall Oakite BCR (contains Monoethanolamine 10-20%, pH=10.5); Majestic Extra Strength Ammonia (pH 11.0) when cleaning jewelry using the ultrasonic water bath.  Jewelry Fabricator(s) were exposed to JSP and/or RioGrande (10k, 14k, 18k, 22k) Gold Testing Solution (contains Nitric [~63%] and Hydrochloric [~36.5%] Acids) and EuroTool AquiFlux (contains Boric Acid, Borax, Ammonium Phosphate) when testing jewelry for gold and soldering jewelry, respectively.

Issued

Aug 13, 2012

Abate by

Sep 25, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0170103014301860B141

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) On or about 11 June 2012, the employer did not ensure that a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each hazardous chemical in the workplace was available and readily accessible.  The employer did not have MSDS documents hazardous chemicals including but not limited to Chemetall Oakite BCR (contains Monoethanolamine 10-20%, pH=10.5); Majestic Extra Strength Ammonia (pH 11.0);  JSP and/or RioGrande (10k, 14k, 18k, 22k) Gold Testing Solution (contains Nitric [~63%] and Hydrochloric [~36.5%] Acids) and EuroTool AquiFlux (contains Boric Acid, Borax, Ammonium Phosphate).  These hazardous chemicals were used during several stages of jewelry fabrication, including: (a) testing jewelry for gold; (b) soldering; (c) cleaning; and (d) polishing jewelry.

Issued

Aug 13, 2012

Abate by

Sep 25, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0170103014301860B141

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) On or about 11 June 2011, the employer did provide employees with training regarding the hazards of the chemicals present in the work area.   Jewelry polisher(s) were exposed to hazardous chemicals including but not limited to Chemetall Oakite BCR (contains Monoethanolamine 10-20%, pH=10.5); Majestic Extra Strength Ammonia (pH 11.0) when cleaning jewelry using the ultrasonic water bath.  Jewelry Fabricator(s) were exposed to JSP and/or RioGrande (10k, 14k, 18k, 22k) Gold Testing Solution (contains Nitric [~63%] and Hydrochloric [~36.5%] Acids) and EuroTool AquiFlux (contains Boric Acid, Borax, Ammonium Phosphate) when testing jewelry for gold and soldering jewelry, respectively.  A written Hazard Communication program was not available for this facility.