OSHA Inspection: RASI LABORATORIES, INC.

Issued

Feb 19, 2013

Abate by

Jun 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,960 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): A continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in 29 CFR 1910.95 (c) through (n) was not instituted, when employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels:     a) Rasi Laboratories, Inc./Somerset, NJ site - Production Room: The employer did not provide a continuing effective Hearing Conservation Program for employees exposed to noise levels above 85 dBA. Employee working in the production area was exposed to continuous noise levels of 89.47 dBA (machine operator, capsule room #10) for an 8-hour TWA, which is equivalent to dose of  92.98%.  This level exceeded OSHA Action Level of 85 dBA. Sampling time was 360 minutes and zero exposure was assumed for all unsampled time periods.    Condition observed on or about August 30, 2012.

Issued

Feb 19, 2013

Abate by

Jun 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1): A representative monitoring program was not developed and implemented when information indicated that an employee's exposure may equal or exceed and 8 hour time weighted average of 85 dBA:    a) Rasi Laboratories, Inc./Somerset, NJ site - Production Area: The employer did not monitor noise exposure for the employees working in the production area and exposed to continuous noise levels of 89.47 dBA (machine operator in capsule room #10) for an 8-hour TWA, which is equivalent to dose of  92.98%.  This level exceeded OSHA Action Level of 85 dBA. Sampling time was 360 minutes and zero exposure was assumed for all unsampled time periods.    Condition observed on or about August 30, 2012.

Issued

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(1): The employer did not make hearing protectors available to all employees exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or greater at no cost to the employees:       a) Rasi Laboratories, Inc./Somerset, NJ site - Production Room: The employer did not provide hearing protectors to employees exposed to noise levels above 85 dBA. Employee working in the production area was exposed to continuous noise levels of 89.47 dBA (machine operator, capsule room #10) for an 8-hour TWA, which is equivalent to dose of  92.98%.  This level exceeded OSHA Action Level of 85 dBA. Sampling time was 360 minutes and zero exposure was assumed for all unsampled time periods.    Condition observed on or about August 30, 2012.

Issued

Feb 19, 2013

Abate by

Jun 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95(k). The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:      a) Rasi Laboratories, Inc./Somerset, NJ site - Production Area: The employer did not provide a training program for all employees working in the production area and exposed to continuous noise levels of 89.47 dBA (machine operator in capsule room #10) for an 8-hour TWA, which is equivalent to dose of  92.98%.  This level exceeded OSHA Action Level of 85 dBA. Sampling time was 360 minutes and zero exposure was assumed for all unsampled time periods.    Condition observed on or about August 30, 2012.

Issued

Feb 19, 2013

Abate by

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(2)(iv)(d): Flammable or combustible liquids were not drawn from or transferred into vessels, containers, or portable tanks within a building only through a closed piping system, from safety cans, by means of a device drawing through the top, or from a container or portable tanks by gravity through an approved self-closing valve:    a) Rasi Laboratories, Inc./Somerset, NJ facility- Flammable Storage Room: Employer did not provide proper dispensing device such as self-closing valve for transferring flammable liquid. Employee transfers isopropanol from a 55 gal metal drum to a secondary 5 gal plastic bucket.    Condition observed on or about August 30, 2012.

Issued

Feb 19, 2013

Abate by

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(9)(i): Maintenance and operating practices did not control leakage and prevent accidental escape of flammable or combustible liquids:    a) Rasi Laboratories, Inc./Somerset, NJ facility- Flammable Storage Room: Employer did not establish procedures to control leakage and prevent the accidental escape of flammable liquids. Isopropanol is spilled during the transfer and not cleaned up promptly.    Condition observed on or about August 30, 2012.

Issued

Feb 19, 2013

Abate by

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed, the date(s) of the hazard assessment, and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment:    a) Rasi Laboratories, Inc./Somerset, NJ Facility: The employer did not have a written certification of the hazard assessment for employees who were exposed to chemical hazards while handling (i.e. transporting, pouring, cleaning, mixing etc.) chemicals such as, but not limited to: hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, ethyl acetate, methanol, and isopropyl alcohol. The employer did not have each affected employee wear appriopriate protection for hands to protect them from chemical hazards.    Condition observed on/or about August 30, 2012.

Issued

Feb 19, 2013

Abate by

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): Protective eye equipment was not required where there was a reasonable probability of eye or face injury from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation, that could be prevented by such equipment:     a) Rasi Laboratories, Inc./Somerset, NJ Facility- Production area: The employer did not ensure that each affected employee used appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from liquid chemicals and vapors. Employee is transferring isopropyl alcohol without eye protection.    Condition observed on/or about August 30, 2012.

Issued

Feb 19, 2013

Abate by

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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.    a) Rasi Laboratories, Inc./Somerset, NJ Facility- Production area: The employer did not provide chemical resistant gloves which were appropriate for use to protect employees from chemical burns while using chemicals,  such as but not limited to: hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, potassium bromide, methanol, and isopropyl alcohol.      Condition observed on/or about August 30, 2012.

Issued

Feb 19, 2013

Abate by

Jun 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,940 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1): The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative:  a) Rasi Laboratories, Inc./Somerset, NJ facility - Production Area: The company did not establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that employees performing servicing or maintenance are trained in safe operation of the equipment such as but not limited to:    1) High Speed Filler (Bosch, GKF 1500),  2) Semi Automatic Encapsulator (Elanco, Model 8S),   3) Coating Pan (Stokes).  Condition noted on/or about August 30, 2012.

Issued

Feb 19, 2013

Abate by

Jun 10, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls are acquired by employees:     a) Rasi Laboratories, Inc./Somerset, NJ - Production Area: the employer did not provide training to all employees authorized and/or affected by lockout/tagout procedures of the equipment such as but not limited to:       Condition noted on/or about August 30, 2012.

Issued

Feb 19, 2013

Abate by

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:    a) Rasi Laboratories, Inc./Somerset, NJ Facility: Employer did not provide suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body for employees exposed to corrosive materials:    1) Warehouse: A quick drenching facility was not provided in a battery filling area, where employees were exposed to corrosive material such as but not limited to sulfuric acid.    2) QC Lab:  Eye wash facility was not provided to employees working with chemicals, including but not limited to hydrochloric acid and nitric acid.    Condition observed on/or about August 30, 2012.

Issued

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator was 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) Rasi Laboratories, Inc./Somerset, NJ Facility- Warehouse: Powered industrial truck operator was not trained and evaluated by the employer to ensure that proper operation and safety guidelines were followed.     Condition observed on/or about August 30, 2012.

Issued

Feb 19, 2013

Abate by

Feb 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,450 Reduced

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) Rasi Laboratories, Inc./Somerset, NJ Facility- Throughout the facility: A written Hazard Communication Program was not provided where employees are exposed to chemicals, including but not limited to:  1) hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, ethyl acetate, methanol, and acetonitrile (in Quality Control lab).  2) isopropanol (in production area).    Condition observed on/or about August 30, 2012.

Issued

Feb 19, 2013

Abate by

Apr 5, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h): Employees were not provided effective information and training as specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1) and -2 on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard was introduced:   a) Rasi Laboratories, Inc./Somerset, NJ Facility- Throughout the facility: The employer did not provide employees 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 was introduced into their work area.  Employees are exposed to chemicals, including but not limited to:  1) hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, ethyl acetate, methanol, and acetonitrile (in Quality Control lab).  2) isopropanol (in production area).    Condition observed on/or about August 30, 2012.