OSHA Inspection: SOLMET SERVICES, INC.

Issued

Jan 30, 2013

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $1,020 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(6):     At least annually after obtaining the baseline audiogram, the employer did not obtain a new audiogram for each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels :    On December 19, 2012, a dosimeter (sn: NLH090056) was placed on an employee working in the grinding area for a total of 397 minutes. The employee was exposed to noise at 165.7% of the permissible daily noise exposure level, with an equivalent time-weighted average sound level of 92.6 dBA. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 83 minutes not sampled.    On or about December 19, 2012, company employees had not received audiograms on an annual basis since 2009.

Issued

Jan 30, 2013

Abate by

Mar 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1):     One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:    a. On or about November 29, 2012, LeBlond lathe #5 did not have a chuck guard, exposing employees to hazards created by rotating parts.    b. On or about November 29, 2012, LeBlond lathe #7 did not have a chuck guard, exposing employees to hazards created by rotating parts.    c. On or about November 29, 2012, a Lodge & Shipley Profit Turn 50 CNC Lathe did not have a chuck guard, exposing employees to hazards created by rotating parts.    d. On or about November 29, 2012, an interlock switch on the company's Johnford TC-75 CNC Lathe #4 was not functioning, allowing employees to open the door for observation while the chuck is rotating.    e. On or about November 29, 2012, an interlock on the company's LeBlond CNC Lathe had been removed, allowing doors to be opened for observation while the chuck is rotating.    f. On or about December 19, 2012, company employees were exposed to hazards associated with an ingoing nip point on an unguarded chain and sprocket chip conveyor system on a Daito GA320 Bandsaw.

Issued

Jan 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,156 · Current $694 Reduced

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 November 27, 2012, the peripheral member of a large floor mounted grinder in the grinding and cutting area was approximately 1.75 inches from the wheel periphery.

Issued

Jan 30, 2013

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:    Employees are required to wear half mask air purifying respirators while performing grinding operations. On or about November 27, 2012, the company had not established and implemented a written respiratory protection program.

Issued

Jan 30, 2013

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1):     The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:    On and before November 27, 2012, company employees were required to wear half mask air purifying respirators prior to receiving a medical evaluation.

Issued

Jan 30, 2013

Abate by

Mar 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2):     Employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator:    On and before November 27, 2012, company employees were required to wear half mask air purifying respirators prior to receiving a fit test.

Issued

Jan 30, 2013

Abate by

Mar 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k):     The employer did not provide comprehensive, understandable training which did not occur annually and/or more often if necessary:    On or about November 27, 2012, employees that were required to wear half mask air purifying respirators while performing grinding operations had not received training.

Issued

Jan 30, 2013

Abate by

Feb 19, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2):     Portable fire extinguishers were not visually inspected at least monthly:    The company maintained portable fire extinguishers throughout the facility for use with incipient stage fires. On or about November 27, 2012, no evidence of monthly visual inspections was available.