OSHA Inspection: GEROME TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Issued

Jan 17, 2013

Abate by

Feb 13, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that the employees were exposed to fire and explosion hazards resulting from ignition of flammable vapors in a tunnel oven:    a)  Slot Armor Area - On or about October 12, 2012, a tunnel oven (T-2) used for processes involving flammable chemicals, including but not limited to Astro Special 3166 Felt Saturant Resin, was not adequately designed, installed, and maintained to protect employees from fire and explosion hazards.

Issued

Jan 17, 2013

Abate by

Feb 13, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:    a)  Metal Shop - On or about October 15, 2012, Engineering Employees were required to wear North 5500 series half face air purifying respirators while working on the helical skimmer tubing and blades including applying Astro Special 3166 Felt Saturant Resin and sanding.

Issued

Jan 17, 2013

Abate by

Feb 13, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1): The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces:    a)  Slot Armor Area - On or about October 15, 2012, for the permit required confined spaces, including but not limited to, the tunnel ovens containing potential thermal and atmospheric hazards.

Issued

Jan 17, 2013

Abate by

Feb 13, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2): The employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces:    a)  Slot Armor Area - On or about October 15, 2012, for the permit required confined spaces, including but not limited to, the tunnel ovens containing potential thermal and atmospheric hazards.

Issued

Jan 17, 2013

Abate by

Feb 13, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4): When the employer decided that its employees would enter permit spaces, the employer did not develop and implement a written permit space entry program that complied with 29 CFR 1910.146:    a)  Slot Armor Area - On or about October 15, 2012, for the permit required confined spaces, including but not limited to, the tunnel ovens containing potential thermal and atmospheric hazards.  Maintenance employees are permitted to make entry for servicing or adjustments.

Issued

Jan 17, 2013

Abate by

Feb 13, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 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)  On or about October 16, 2012, for maintenance employees conducting service of equipment, including but not limited to, rotary sheeters and die cutters.

Issued

Jan 17, 2013

Abate by

Feb 13, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):     a)  On or about October 15, 2012 for the engineers and fabricator employees using chemicals such as, but not limited to, Astro Special 3166 Felt Saturant Resin (flammable) to build a helical skimmer.  A written hazard communication program was not developed and implemented for the employees.

Issued

Jan 17, 2013

Abate by

Feb 13, 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 in:    a)  On or about October 15, 2012 for the engineers and fabricator employees using chemicals such as, but not limited to, Astro Special 3166 Felt Saturant Resin (flammable) to build a helical skimmer.  Training was not provided to employees regarding chemical hazards.