OSHA Inspection: ABS METAL RECYCLING LLC

Issued

Aug 6, 2012

Abate by

Aug 15, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $720 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0871

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a):     Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered.    On or about 25 July 2012, and at times prior thereto, employees were required to work in an environment where Freon (dichlorodifluoromethane) gas and vapors occurred while cutting lines on scrapped air conditioning units, exposing the employees to inhalation 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 respiratory protection is provided and used by employees in processes or environments requiring such protection.

Issued

Aug 6, 2012

Abate by

Aug 15, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1):     The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).    On or about 25 July 2012, and at times prior thereto, employees were required to dismantle scrap air conditioning units within the yard without a job specific assessment (JSA) being done to identify and abate the hazards associated with the work, such as release of Freon, exposing the employees to inhalation 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 job specific assessments are conducted to identify the hazards of the work or task and to then select the PPE needed to abate the hazards.

Issued

Aug 6, 2012

Abate by

Aug 15, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $720 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(e)(1):     The employer was not responsible in the inspection, maintenance and testing of all portable fire extinguishers in the workplace.    On or about 25 July 2012, and at times prior thereto, the employer furnished portable fire extinguishers for use by employees in the case of small, incipient fires that were not maintained and charged, exposing the employees to hazards such as, but not limited to, burns, smoke inhalation, and asphyxiation.    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 portable fire extinguishers are maintained and ready for use in the case of an emergency.

Issued

Aug 6, 2012

Abate by

Aug 15, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $720 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(iii):     An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance was not conducted at least once every three years.    On or about 25 July 2012, and at times prior thereto, employees were allowed to operate a propane forklift without having refresher training within the last 3 previous years, exposing themselves and other employees in the scrap metal yard to the hazard of being struck by either the forklift or loads carried by the forklift.    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 operators are given refresher training at least every 3 years.

Issued

Aug 6, 2012

Abate by

Aug 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4):     Work rest(s) on grinding machinery were not adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one eighth inch.    On or about 25 July 2012, and at times prior thereto, employees used a floor-mounted bench grinder located in the shop to grind off the finish on metal parts to verify the type of metal being scrapped, where the work rest was adjusted to approximately 3/4ths of an inch from the wheel surface, exposing the employees to the hazard of having their hand or fingers pulled into the wheel and suffering an amputation injury.    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 machine grinders have the work rest adjusted to no more than 1/8th inch opening from the surface of the wheel.

Issued

Aug 6, 2012

Abate by

Aug 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9):     The distance between the abrasive wheel periphery(s) and the adjustable tongue or the end of the safety guard peripheral member at the top exceeded one fourth inch.    On or about 25 July 2012, and at times prior thereto, employees used a floor-mounted bench grinder located in the shop to grind off the finish on metal parts to verify the type of metal being scrapped, where the tongue guard was adjusted to approximately 1 inch from the wheel surface, exposing the employees to the hazard of having their hand or fingers pulled into the wheel and suffering an amputation injury.    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 machine grinders have the tongue guard adjusted no more than 1/4th inch opening from the surface of the abrasive wheel.