OSHA Inspection: GERE MARIE CORPORATION

Issued

Dec 5, 2013

Abate by

Apr 1, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,375 · Current $2,363 Reduced

Hazardous substances M110

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 employees were exposed to combustible aluminum polishing and sanding dust deflagration, explosion, or other fire hazards while working at or near dust collectors and associated upstream equipment which were not adequately located or designed to prevent or minimize employee exposure in the event of a deflagration or other fire event:  Gere Marie Corp.: On or about June 11 & August 21, 2013, employees were exposed to combustible dust deflagration, explosion, or other fire hazards while working at or near the:  a)  Donaldson Torit Cyclone (Model 20) and Filter Bags used to collect combustible dust from polishing on aluminum parts in the Polishing Department. The dry-type dust collector was located indoors.  b)  Donaldson Torit Downflo Oval (Model DFO 2-8) cartridge dust collector used to collect combustible dust from sanding on aluminum parts in the Finishing (Sanding) Department. The dust collector (1) was not provided with a means of explosion protection and (2) the system was not provided with a means of deflagration propagation protection (isolation) between the dust collector and the building containing the upstream aluminum sanding processes.  Among other methods, a feasible method to correct this hazard would be to follow National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 484 "Standard for Combustible Metals, 2012 Edition", Sections 8.7.3.5; 8.7.3.7.1; 8.7.3.13.1; and 8.7.3.19.5.2 and 14.8.3.22.5;  NFPA Standard 654 "Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids", 2013 Edition, Sections 7.13.1.1.1, 7.13.1.2.1, 7.1.6, and 7.1.7.  Specifically for (a), locate dry-type dust collectors outside of the building, provide a recognized method of explosion isolation protection between the outside collector on the upstream process equipment, ensure that there are no unused capped outlets/pockets/dead spaces that might allow accumulations of dust, and ensure all conductive system components, including the collection drums, are effectively bonded together and grounded. Specifically for (b), install deflagration venting to a safe outdoor location in accordance with NFPA 68, provide a recognized method of explosion isolation protection between the outside collector on the upstream process equipment in accordance with NFPA 69 and ensure all conductive system components, including the collection drums, are effectively bonded together and grounded.   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

Oct 24, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,700 · Current $1,890 Reduced

Hazardous substances A100

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) Gere Marie Corp., Polishing Department - Employees doing polishing on aluminum parts were required to wear 3M Model 6900 full facepiece respirators with P100 filters and they did not have a medical evaluation.   Note:  The employer may discontinue an employee's medical evaluations when the employee is no longer required to use a respirator.  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

Oct 24, 2013

Abate by

Dec 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances A100

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:  (a) Gere Marie Corp., Polishing Department - Employees in the polishing department are required to use 3M Model 6900 full facepiece respirators with P100 cartridges and they haven't been fit-tested.   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

Oct 24, 2013

Abate by

Dec 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances A100

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) Gere Marie Corp., Polishing Department - An employee performing polishing and required to wear a 3M Model 6900 full facepiece respirator had facial hair that came between the seal of the respirator and the face.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Oct 24, 2013

Abate by

Nov 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances A100

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(B): Respirators with tight-fitting facepieces were worn by employees with a condition that interfered with the face-to-facepiece seal or valve function:  (a) Gere Marie Corp., Polishing Department - An employee required to wear a 3M Model 6900 full facepiece respirator while polishing wore the hood of a tyvek suit under the straps of the respirator. This interfered with the face-to-facepiece seal.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).