OSHA Inspection: KIMBER MFG., INC.

Issued

Oct 7, 2013

Abate by

Dec 31, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 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 adequate precautions were not taken to  eliminate hazards associated with handling and processing of metal powders.     a) Metal Injection Molding (MIM) Mixing Area: Employees added components including but not limited to Carbonyl Iron Powder OM, which was determined to be explosible, into the MIM Feedstock mixing machines and operated the mixers but the mixer did not have deflagration vents and there were not barriers or other means for protection of personnel in the event of an explosion, on or about May 6, 2013.     b) MIM Mixing Area:  The employees were exposed to the hazard of fire or explosion while working near the MIM Feedstock mixing machines which mixed explosible powders, including but not limited to Carbonyl Iron Powder OM, preventative maintenance such as, but not limited to, periodic continuity testing to ensure the system was conductive had not been done, on or about May 6, 2013.    c) MIM Mixing Area:  Employees added components including but not limited to Carbonyl Iron Powder OM, which was determined to be explosible, to the MIM Feedstock mixing machines, but the bucket used was not electrically conductive nor was it made of spark-resistant materials on or about May 6, 2013.

Issued

Oct 7, 2013

Abate by

Nov 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Application. 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.    a) MIM Mixing Area: Employees added components including but not limited to Carbonyl Iron Powder OM into the MIM Feedstock mixing machines, but employees were not provided NFPA Compliant non-static generating clothing where combustible metal dust was handled, on or about May 6, 2013.

Issued

Oct 7, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,000 Reduced

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:      a) MIM Mixing Area: Employees who added components including but not limited to Carbonyl Iron Powder OM into the MIM Feedstock mixing machines were required to use a respirator during that process, but a medical evaluation was not provided, on or about April 10, 2013.

Issued

Oct 7, 2013

Abate by

Nov 9, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(ii): Employee training did not include the physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area:    a) MIM Mixing Area: Employees added components including Carbonyl Iron Powder OM into the Metal Injection Molding Feedstock mixing machines and operated the mixers but the employees were not aware of necessary precautions to take to prevent a fire or an explosion, on or about May 6, 2013.

Issued

Oct 7, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(1): The employer did not ensure that employees required to use a tight-fitting facepiece respirator passed the appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT):  a) MIM Mixing Area: Employees added components including Carbonyl Iron Powder OM into the Metal Injection Molding Feedstock mixing machines and operated the mixers in the rooms and were required to wear tight-fitting respirators, but there was no fit-test prior to use, on or about April 10, 2013.

Issued

Oct 7, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k): The employer did not provided effective training to employees who are required to use respirators:  a) MIM Mixing Area: Employees added components including Carbonyl Iron Powder OM into the Metal Injection Molding Feedstock mixing machines and operated the mixers in the rooms and were required to wear tight-fitting respirators, but there was no training prior to use, on or about April 10, 2013.

Issued

Oct 7, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i): The employer shall not permit respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face:  a) MIM Mixing Area: Employees added components including Carbonyl Iron Powder OM into the Metal Injection Molding Feedstock mixing machines and operated the mixers in the rooms and were required to wear tight-fitting respirators, but an employee had facial hairwhich interfered with face to facepiece seal, on or about April 10, 2013.