OSHA Inspection: EMPIRE HARD CHROME

Issued

Mar 22, 2013

Abate by

May 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.124(g)(1):  When employees work with liquids that may burn, irritate, or otherwise harm their skin, locker space or other storage space to prevent contamination of the employee's street clothes must be provided:     On or about February 12, 2013, in the facility, employees required to perform hard-chrome plating operations were exposed to the hazard of contact with chromic acid and other hazardous chemicals that may burn, irritate, or otherwise harm their skin.  Each affected employee was not provided with locker space or other storage space to prevent contamination of street clothes.

Issued

Mar 22, 2013

Abate by

May 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact:    On or about the period from August 23, 2012, thru February 12, 2013, each employee required to perform hard-chrome plating operations was not provided and/or required to use chemical-resistant boots to protect against skin contact and injury.

Issued

Mar 22, 2013

Abate by

May 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,470 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employers shall provide employees with effective information and training, as specified in paragraphs (h)(2) and (h)(3), on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees have not previuosly been trained about is introduced into their work area:    On or about the period from August 23, 2012, thru February 12, 2013, newly hired employees required to perform hard-chrome plating operations were not provided with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment.    Employees were not informed of:    (i) The requirements of this section;  (ii) The location and availability of the written hazard communication program, including the required list(s) of hazardous chemicals, and the material safety data sheets required by this section.    Employees were not trained on:    (i) The details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, including an explanation of the labeling system and the material safety data sheet, and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information.

Issued

Mar 22, 2013

Abate by

May 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5)(i):  The employer shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with the identity of the hazardous chemical(s) contained therein and appropriate hazard warning:    On or about February 12, 2013, in production areas where employees were required to perform hard chrome plating operations, containers of hazardous chemicals were not labeled, tagged or marked with the identity of the hazardous chemical(s) contained therein and appropriate hazard warning, including:    a) Drive-thru area: 55-gallon drums of hexavalent chromium waste water  b) Low-bay plating area: 55-gallon drum nitric ("spent")  c) Low-bay plating area: 55-gallon drum chromic acid (scubber system)  d) Aluminum pre-treatment area: Process tanks