OSHA Inspection: JERITH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Abate by

Jan 3, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,678 · Current $1,874 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1460

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, were not 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. Painting Department, Paint Line Wash - The employer failed to select and assure that each employee wore appropriate personal protective clothing which protected the body from exposure to splashes from hazardous chemicals, such as Chemetall CrysCoat 2707, which could cause bodily injury.  Employees manually filled a five gallon plastic bucket with Chemetall CrysCoat 2707.  The pH of this chemical was less than 2.5.  Observed On or About August 27, 2013    b. Painting Department, Paint Line Wash - The employer failed to select and assure that each employee wore appropriate personal protective clothing which protected the body from exposure to splashes from hazardous chemicals, such as Chemetall Oakite OkemCoat 4500, which could cause bodily injury.  Employees manually filled five gallon plastic bucket with Chemetall OkemCoat 4500.  The pH of this chemical was less than 2.5.  One of the ingredients in Chemetall Oakite OkemCoat 4500 was hydrofluoric acid, a corrosive acid that rapidly penetrates the skin and causes destruction of underlying tissue and bone by the extraction of calcium. Observed On or About August 27, 2013

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Abate by

Jan 3, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1460

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee used appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.  a. Painting Department, Paint Line Wash - The employer failed to select and assure that each employee wore appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as, a full-face shield, which protected the face from exposure to splashes from hazardous liquid chemicals, such as Chemetall CrysCoat 2707.  Employees manually filled a five gallon plastic bucket with Chemetall CrysCoat 2707.  The pH of this chemical was less than 2.5.   Observed On or About August 27, 2013   b. Painting Department, Paint Line Wash - The employer failed to select and assure that each employee wore appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as, a full-face shield, which protected the face from exposure to splashes from hazardous liquid chemicals, Chemetall Oakite OkemCoat 4500.  Employees manually filled a five gallon plastic bucket with Chemetall OkemCoat 4500.  The pH of this chemical was less than 2.5.  One of the ingredients in Chemetall Oakite OkemCoat 4500 was hydrofluoric acid, a corrosive acid that rapidly penetrates the skin and causes destruction of underlying tissue and bone by the extraction of calcium.  Observed On or About August 27, 2013

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Abate by

Jan 3, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1460

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(b): In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which was used for the treatment of all injured employees, adequate first aid supplies were not readily available:  a. Painting Department, Paint Line Wash - The employer did not maintain first aid supplies of 2.5% calcium gluconate gel.  Employees manually filled a five gallon plastic bucket with Chemetall OkemCoat 4500 that was dispensed from a 330 gallon bulk tote container.  Chemetall Oakite OkemCoat 4500 contained hydrofluoric acid, a corrosive acid. Skin exposure to hydrofluoric acid is often treated with the topical application of 2.5% calcium gluconate gel to the affected skin area. Hydrofluoric acid rapidly penetrates the skin and causes destruction of underlying tissue and bone by the extraction of calcium. Calcium Gluconate gel, combines with the fluoride ions to form insoluble calcium fluoride, thus rendering the fluoride ion inactive and preventing further extraction of calcium from the body tissues and bones.

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Abate by

Jan 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1460

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where the body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use. [63 FR 33450, June 18, 1998]   a. Painting Department, Paint Line Wash - The employer did not require a safety shower where employees were potentially exposed to injurious corrosive chemicals, such as, hydrofluoric acid.  Employees manually filled a five gallon plastic bucket with Chemetall OkemCoat 4500 dispensed from 330 gallon bulk tote container.  Chemetall Oakite OkemCoat 4500 contained hydrofluoric acid, a corrosive acid.  The skin absorption of this chemical can cause deeply penetrating, severe burns with delayed symptoms. The pH for this chemical was less than 2.5.   Observed On or About August 27, 2013

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Abate by

Dec 26, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1460

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(2)(i): The employer did not provide information to the employees on the requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200:  a. Painting Department, Paint Line Wash - The employer did not provide employees with training about specific hazards and protections for hydrofluoric acid.  Employees manually filled a five gallon plastic bucket with Chemetall OkemCoat 4500.  Chemetall Oakite OkemCoat 4500 contained hydrofluoric acid, a corrosive acid.  Der­mal exposure to anhydrous (approximately 100%) or dilute solutions of HF can cause severe systemic flu­orosis resulting in electrolyte imbalances, such as hypocalcemia, hyperkalemia, and hypomagnesemia.   Observed On or About August 27, 2013

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Abate by

Dec 26, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1460

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): The employer did not ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator is fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter.  a. Powder Booth #121 - The employer did not ensure that employees were fit testing for their respirators prior to initial use of their respirators.  Employees, wearing Moldex 2200 N95 respirators (NIOSH Approval No. TC-84-0327), were potentially exposed to respiratory distress.  Observed On or About  August 27, 2013