OSHA Inspection: PRO METAL RECYCLING INC.

Issued

Sep 27, 2012

Abate by

Oct 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $840 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall:  	  a.  On or about July 26, 2012, in the facility, employees were exposed to sharp objects, eye and skin hazards including, but not limited to, sulfuric acid when handling scrap metals and batteries.  The employer failed to perform a hazard assessment to determine which hazards necessitated the use of personal protective equipment.

Issued

Sep 27, 2012

Abate by

Oct 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1):  The employer shall provide training to each employee who is required by this section to use PPE. Each such employee shall be trained to know at least the following:    a.  On or about July 26, 2012, in the facility, employees were exposed to sharp objects, eye and skin hazards including, but not limited to, sulfuric acid when handling scrap metals and batteries.  The employer failed to provide training for employees who were exposed to the hazards on what personal protective equipment was necessary, when it was necessary and the limitations of the personal protective equipment.

Issued

Sep 27, 2012

Abate by

Nov 9, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i):  The employer shall ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l).    a.  On or about July 26, 2012, in the facility, employees were required to operate powered industrial vehicles and front end loaders on a daily basis.  The employees did not receive proper formal and practical training on the safe operation of the equipment, thereby exposing employees to struck by and crushing hazards.

Issued

Sep 27, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(d)(2):  Initial determination. Each employer who has a workplace or work operation covered by this standard shall determine if any employee may be exposed to lead at or above the action level.    a.  On or about July 31, 2012, in the facility, employees were exposed to lead while performing assigned tasks including, but not limited to, crushing radiators.  The employer had not performed employee exposure assessments to determine employee exposure to lead.

Issued

Sep 27, 2012

Abate by

Oct 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(1): Provision and use. If an employee is exposed to lead above the PEL, without regard to the use of respirators or where the possibility of skin or eye irritation exists, the employer shall provide at no cost to the employee and assure that the employee uses appropriate protective work clothing and equipment such as, but not limited to:    a.  On or about July 31, 2012, in the facility, employees were exposed to skin or eye irritation from lead exposure while performing assigned tasks such as, but not limited to, compacting radiators.  The employer had not provided coveralls or similar full body work clothing to prevent or reduce skin irritation from lead exposure.

Issued

Sep 27, 2012

Abate by

Oct 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(h)(2)(ii):  Shoveling, dry or wet sweeping, and brushing may be used only where vacuuming or other equally effective methods have been tried and found not to be effective.      a.  On or about July 31, 2012, in the facility, in the radiator compacting area, employees were exposed to lead.  Employees performed dry sweeping and shoveling daily to remove dust containing lead from the floor.

Issued

Sep 27, 2012

Abate by

Oct 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(l)(1)(ii): The employer shall train each employee who is subject to exposure to lead at or above the action level, or for whom the possibility of skin or eye irritation exists, in accordance with the requirements of this section. The employer shall institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program.      a.  On or about July 31, 2012, in the facility, employees were exposed to skin or eye irritation from lead exposure while performing assigned tasks including, but not limited to, compacting radiators.  The employer did not institute a lead training program.

Issued

Sep 27, 2012

Abate by

Nov 9, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employers shall 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.  On or about July 26, 2012, in the facility, employees were exposed to hazardous materials including, but not limited to, sulfuric acid, propane and heavy metals.  The employer failed to develop and implement a written hazard communication program.

Issued

Sep 27, 2012

Abate by

Nov 9, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(i):  The employer shall provide each employee with the information contained in Appendix D of the standard 29 CFR 1910.134 before permitting employees to use respirators in the workplace.     a.  On or about July 26, 2012, in the facility, the employer allowed employees to use filtering face piece respirators during daily duties. The employer had not provided the employees using respirators with the information contained in Appendix D as required by this standard.

Issued

Sep 27, 2012

Abate by

Nov 9, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1027(m)(4)(i):  The employer shall train each employee who is potentially exposed to cadmium in accordance with the requirements of this section. The employer shall institute a training program, ensure employee participation in the program, and maintain a record of the contents of such program.    a.  On or about July 31, 2012, in the facility, employees were required to work in the facility and were exposed to cadmium when handling scrap metals.  The employer did not institute a training program for employees with potential exposure to cadmium.