OSHA Inspection: NORTHSTAR METAL PRODUCTS, INC.

Issued

Sep 27, 2013

Abate by

Nov 1, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,940 · Current $4,158 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: 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 in that employees were exposed to explosion, deflagration, or other fire hazards while working at or near a wet-type dust collection system for metal dusts which was not properly designed, used, and maintained in a manner to prevent or minimize employee exposure to such hazards. Such conditions may lead to an accumulation of aluminum and/or other metal dusts at or above the minimum explosible concentration (MEC) and/or hydrogen gas at or above the lower explosive limit (LEL):     On or about April 1, 2013:      (a) The Filter-1 Hydrotron wet-type dust collector (model HWF-7-110-25AF) and associated ducting servicing the grinding room machinery and southeast wall welding bays was (1) used to collect potentially incompatible materials such as aluminum and other metal dusts (steel, stainless steel, copper) both simultaneously and in succession without thorough cleaning, (2) operated without a continuous supply of water to the unit, (3) operated without a means to prohibit upstream machinery / processes operation in the event that the collection unit's fan were to fail or the unit was stopped for maintenance, (4) operated without frequent inspection of the supply and exhaust venting for accumulations of aluminum dust, (5) operated without maintaining a frequent schedule for removing sludge produced from the collection of metal dusts, and (6) operated with a secondary dry filter downstream within the wet collector.     Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Sep 27, 2013

Abate by

Nov 1, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,970 · Current $2,079 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:     On or about 4/1/13, a written respiratory protection program with worksite specific procedures and complete records of medical evaluations, fit testing, and training for each employee in the grinding room was not established and implemented for required use of filtering facepieces.      Abatement certification is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Sep 27, 2013

Abate by

Nov 1, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,960 · Current $2,772 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.145(c)(3):     Safety instruction sign(s) were not used where there was a need for general instructions and suggestions relative to safety measure(s):     On or about 4/1/13, safety instruction signs were not used when there was the need to inform employees that grinding equipment connected to the wet-type dust collector should be used for processing aluminum metal only. Additional incompatible metals such as steel, stainless steel, and copper were processed with grinding machinery processing aluminum exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards.     Abatement certification is requires of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Sep 27, 2013

Abate by

Nov 1, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,960 · Current $2,772 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(d)(1):     Portable fire extinguishers were not selected based on the classes of anticipated workplace fires and on the size and degree of hazard that would affect their use:    On or about 4/1/13, an ABC Dry Chem fire extinguisher was incorrectly selected for use in the grinding room in the southeast corner of the plant; a Class D fire extinguisher is required for combustible metal working areas.    Abatement certification is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Sep 27, 2013

Abate by

Nov 1, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,960 · Current $2,772 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.243(c)(1):     Abrasive wheel(s) were used on portable grinder(s) which were not provided with safety guard(s) meeting the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.243(c)(1) through (c)(4)(a):     On or about 4/1/13, an employee in the grinding area was using an unguarded pneumatic hand grinder.     Abatement certification is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Sep 27, 2013

Abate by

Nov 1, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,960 · Current $2,772 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1):     Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:    On or about 4/1/2013, employees in the grinding room were not informed of or trained on the hazards associated with the combustible aluminum dust they create while grinding aluminum parts with portable and fixed grinding tools.    Abatement certification is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).