OSHA Inspection: ERICKSON METALS OF COLORADO, INC.

Issued

Sep 27, 2012

Abate by

Oct 12, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1):  The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response), or equivalently, a dose of fifty percent:  (a)  Erickson Metals of Colorado Inc at 5045 Oakland Street, Denver, CO 80239:  On and before August 23, 2012, the employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response), or equivalently, a dose of fifty percent.  Two employees conducted saw operations on aluminum.  The employer did not establish a continuing, effective, hearing conservation program.  On August 28, 2012, one employee conducting sawing operations was exposed to noise at a dose in excess of the fifty percent dose action level.  The employee was exposed to noise at a dose of 101.9%.  This is 2.04 times the action level.  This condition exposed the employee to a hazardous noise dose.  Abatement Note:  A Hearing Conservation Program shall consist of:  (1)  Development and implementation of a noise monitoring program;  (2)  Notification of employees who are exposed to noise doses in excess of the action level (50% dose);   (3)  Baseline audiogram within six months of exposure at or above the action level with annual follow-up audiogram for purposes of tracking changes in employee hearing acuity;  (4)  Providing a variety of hearing protection and requiring its use where employees are exposed to noise above the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 100% dose, where employees are exposed to noise above the Action Limit (AL) of 50% dose and have not received a baseline audiogram or has experienced a standard threshold shift;   (5)  Annual training with regards to effects of noise upon hearing, use of hearing protection, and the purpose of the audiometric testing; and,  (6)  Retention of all records including audiometric testing results and noise monitoring results.  Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Sep 27, 2012

Abate by

Oct 12, 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):  (a)  Erickson Metals of Colorado Inc at 5045 Oakland Street, Denver, CO 80239:  On and before August 23, 2012, the employer had not assessed the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, for tasks such as, but not limited to, blowing scrap metal with compressed air, handling thin sheets of aluminum, and handling heavy pieces of aluminum.  These conditions expose employees to projectile hazards, lacerations, and struck-by hazards.    Abatement Note:  The employer shall verify that the required workplace assessment has been performed through a written certification that shall identify the following:  (1)  The workplace evaluated;  (2)  The person certifying that the evaluation has been performed;  (3)  The date(s) of the hazard assessment; and,  (4)  The document as a certification of hazard assessment.  Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Sep 27, 2012

Abate by

Oct 12, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b):  Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.:  (a)  Erickson Metals of Colorado Inc at 5045 Oakland Street, Denver, CO 80239:  On and before August 28, 2012, compressed air used for cleaning scrap metal around the 10 Inch saw was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.  The average p.s.i. measured was approximately 80.  This condition potentially exposes employees to projectile hazards from flying scrap metal.

Issued

Sep 27, 2012

Abate by

Oct 12, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i):  The Hazard Communication Program did not contain a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present:  (a)  Erickson Metals of Colorado Inc at 5045 Oakland Street, Denver, CO 80239:  On and before August 28, 2012, the employer did not maintain a list of hazardous chemicals known to be present in the shop.  These chemicals include, but are not limited to, isopropyl alcohol, Canmist lubricant, propane, aluminum, and grease.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Sep 27, 2012

Abate by

Oct 12, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8):  The employer did not maintain copies of the required material safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical in the workplace:  (a)  Erickson Metals of Colorado Inc at 5045 Oakland Street, Denver, CO 80239:  On and before August 28, 2012, the employer did not maintain a MSDS for each hazardous chemical used in the workplace.  Employees use chemicals such as, but not limited to, isopropyl alcohol, Canmist lubricant, and propane as part of their equipment operations.  This condition exposes employees to a chemical hazard.  Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Sep 27, 2012

Abate by

Oct 12, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1):  Employees were not provided with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new physical or health hazard that the employees have not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  (a)  Erickson Metals of Colorado Inc at 5045 Oakland Street, Denver, CO 80239:  On and before August 23, 2012, the employer did not provide effective information and training to employees on the physical and health hazards associated with chemicals used to operate and maintain equipment.  These chemicals include, but are not limited to, isopropyl alcohol and Canmist Precision-Applied High Performance Quantity Lubricant.  Employees were unaware of health hazards, material safety data sheets and their location.  This condition potentially exposes employees to chemical hazards.  Abatement Note:  Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (ie. flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals.  Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and material safety data sheets.  Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).