OSHA Inspection: TIGERFLEX CORP.

Issued

Jun 25, 2013

Abate by

Jul 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): Floor(s) of workroom(s) were not maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition:  a) On or about May 8, 2013, Tigerflex Corporation did not ensure that floors were maintained in a dry condition.  Floors near lines 4 and 12 were wet throughout the third shift, and employees continued to walk through the water without cleaning it up.  The water persisted in these areas throughout the shift change.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jun 25, 2013

Abate by

Jul 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:   a) On or about May 7, 2013, Tigerflex Corporation did not ensure that exit routes were kept free and unobstructed.  The exit on the south side of the building, nearest the research and development area had clutter including cardboard, PVC hose, and boxes on pallets that would impede employee exit of the building in case of an evacuation.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jun 25, 2013

Abate by

Jul 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(e): The employer did not ensure that employees were not using defective or damaged personal protective equipment in the workplace.  a) On or about May 7, 2013, Tigerflex Corporation did not ensure that employees were not using damaged personal protective equipment in the workplace.  Employees utilized gloves during their workshift that were frayed and contained holes in the fingers.  These gloves are required to be used when changing hot parts.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jun 25, 2013

Abate by

Jul 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(b): The employer did not base selection of appropriate hand protection on an evaluation of the performance characteristics of the hand protection relative to the tasks to be performed, conditions present, duration of use, and the hazards and potential hazards identified:  a) On or about May 7, 2013, Tigerflex Corporation did not select appropriate hand protection based on the performance characteristics of the hand protection relative to the tasks that were performed.  Employee(s) wore cotton gloves that were not designed to be heat resistant to remove hot parts from hose making machines.  Employee(s) were observed wearing two pairs of gloves to mitigate the hazards from the heat.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jun 25, 2013

Abate by

Jul 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,260 Reduced

Hazardous substances 14301903

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(ii): The employer did not establish and implement those elements of a written program necessary to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily was medically able to use that respirator, and that the respirator was cleaned, stored, and maintained so that its use does not present a health hazard to the user:   (a) On or about May 7, 2013, Tigerflex Corporation did not establish and implement the elements of a written respiratory program to ensure that employee(s) that utilized Moldex 7000 series half-mask, negative-pressure respirators with Moldex 7600 cartridges were medically able to use the respirator, and that the respirator was cleaned and maintained so that its use did not present a health to the user.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jun 25, 2013

Abate by

Jul 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,260 Reduced

Hazardous substances 14301903

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d):  The employer did not evaluate respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace, identify relevant workplace and user factors, and base respirator selection on these factors:  a) On or about May 7, 2013, Tigerflex Corporation did not evaluate respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace, identify workplace and user factors, and base respirator selection on these factors.  Respirators were purchased by Tigerflex Corporation, and respirators and cartridges were selected based upon the protection provided by the cartridge, and not an evaluation of the workplace hazards.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jun 25, 2013

Abate by

Jul 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,260 Reduced

Hazardous substances 14301903

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 allowed to use the respirator in the workplace:   (a) On or about May 7, 2013, Tigerflex Corporation did not provide medical evaluations to employee(s) utilizing Moldex 7000 series half-mask, negative-pressure respirators with Moldex 7600 cartridges before the employee(s) were allowed to use the respirator in the workplace.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jun 25, 2013

Abate by

Jul 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,260 Reduced

Hazardous substances 14301903

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A): Respirators with tight-fitting facepieces were worn by employees who had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interfered with valve function:     (a) On or about May 7, 2013, employee(s) of Tigerflex Corporation wore Moldex 7000 series half-mask, negative-pressure respirators with Moldex 7600 cartridges with facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face which would not allow for a tight seal.       In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jun 25, 2013

Abate by

Jul 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 14301903

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1): The employer did not provide respirator training that would ensure each employee could demonstrate knowledge of items in section (i)-(vii):    a) On or about May 7, 2013, Tigerflex Corporation did not provide employee(s) wearing Moldex 7000 series half-mask, negative-pressure respirators with Moldex 7600 cartridges effective training that ensured that the employee(s) could demonstrate the knowledge of items in 29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1)(i)-(vii).    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jun 25, 2013

Abate by

Jul 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,940 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(2): Guard(s) on machine(s) were not affixed to the machine or secured elsewhere when attachment to the machine was not possible:  (a) On or about May 7, 2013, Tigerflex Corporation did not ensure guard(s) on machine(s) were affixed to the machine.  Guards were removed from the mechanical cutting machine on line 3.  Employee(s) were exposed to amputation hazards from exposed blades due to the removal of the guards.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jun 25, 2013

Abate by

Jul 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Point(s) of operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s):  (a) On or about May 7, 2013, Tigerflex Corporation did not ensure that point(s) of operation of machinery were guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone during the operating cycle.  Guards were removed from the mechanical cutting machine on line 3.  Employee(s) were exposed to amputation hazards from exposed blades due to the removal of the guards.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jun 25, 2013

Abate by

Jul 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,260 Reduced

Hazardous substances 14301903

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) Tigerflex Corporation, the employer did not develop or implement a written hazard communication program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1) that would describe or include at least the following:  1) Requirement for labeling of containers of hazardous chemicals; 2) Material safety data sheet availability; 3) Training of employees; 4) A complete list of hazardous chemicals known to be in the workplace; 5) Methods to inform employees of the hazards on non-routine tasks; and 6) Methods to inform other employer(s) of material safety data sheet availability; the labeling system; and any precautionary measures to protect employees.  Employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals during the heating of plastic pellets of PVC ploymers with hazardous components, including, but not limited to: PVC, vinyl chloride, chlorine, hydrogan chloride, and oxides of nitrogen.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jun 25, 2013

Abate by

Jul 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,260 Reduced

Hazardous substances 14301903

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:  a) On or about May 7, 2013, Tigerflex Corporation did not provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemical in their work area.  Employees were exposed during their work shift to hazardous chemicals during the heating of plastic pellets of PVC polymers with hazardous chemical ingredients, including, but not limited to: PVC, vinyl chloride, chlorine, hydrogan chloride, and oxides of nitrogen.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jun 25, 2013

Abate by

Jul 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 which included the requirements as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2):  (a) On or about May 7, 2013, Tigerflex Corporation did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed through a written certification.  The employer required personal protective equipment for select job operations such as changing hot parts, but a certification that certified that each job process was evaluated for hazards was not completed.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).