OSHA Inspection: PIEZO KINETICS, INC.

Issued

Jan 17, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,960 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): In any workplace where respirators were necessary to protect the health of the employee or whenever respirators were required by the employer, the employer did not establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures:     (a) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - The employer did not establish a written respiratory protection program for employees who were required to wear respirators, on or about August 29, 2013.     Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 17, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): The employer did not ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator was fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) was used, and at least annually thereafter:  (a) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - The employer did not ensure that an employee wearing disposable respirators was fit tested prior to initial use of the respirators, on or about September 13, 2013.   (b) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - The employer did not ensure that employees wearing half mask respirators were fit tested on an annual basis, on or about July 19, 2013.   Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 17, 2014

Abate by

Feb 22, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A): The employer permitted respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be 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) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - Employees who were required to wear respirators had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the respirator and their face, on or about August 29, 2013.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 17, 2014

Abate by

Aug 28, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(c)(1): The employer shall assure that no employee was exposed to lead at concentrations greater than fifty micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 ug/m(3)) averaged over an 8-hour period:      (a) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Powder Processing employee was exposed to lead at an eight (8) hour time weighted average (TWA) of 320 ug/M3, approximately 6.4 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 ug/M3, on or about September 19, 2013. The exposure level was derived from two samples collected over a 376 minute period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 104 minutes.      (b) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Powder Processing employee was exposed to lead at an eight (8) hour time weighted average (TWA) of 144 ug/M3, approximately 2.88 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 ug/M3, on or about September 19, 2013. The exposure level was derived from one sample collected over a 313 minute period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 167 minutes.      (c) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Powder Processing employee was exposed to lead at a nine (9) hour time weighted average (TWA) of 98 ug/M3, approximately 2.22 times the adjusted permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 44 ug/M3, on or about September 19, 2013. The exposure level was derived from one sample collected over a 505 minute period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 35 minutes.      (d) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Press Operator employee was exposed to lead at an eight (8) hour time weighted average (TWA) of  98 ug/M3, approximately 1.96 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 ug/M3, on or about September 19, 2013. The exposure level was derived from one sample collected over a 410 minute period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 70 minutes.   (e) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Press Operator employee was exposed to lead at an eight (8) hour time weighted average (TWA) of 61 ug/M3, approximately 1.22 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 ug/M3, on or about September 19, 2013. The exposure level was derived from one sample collected over a 388 minute period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 92 minutes.   (f) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Parts Cleaner employee was exposed to lead at an eight (8) hour time weighted average (TWA) of 140 ug/M3, approximately 2.8 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 ug/M3 as measured by air sampling performed by the employer on July 25, 2013. The exposure level was derived from one sample collected over a 420 minute period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 60 minutes.      (g) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Stacker employee was exposed to lead at an eight (8) hour time weighted average (TWA) of 179 ug/M3, approximately 3.58 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 ug/M3 as measured by air sampling performed by the employer on July 29, 2013. The exposure level was derived from one sample collected over a 410 minute period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 70 minutes.      Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 17, 2014

Abate by

Aug 28, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(e)(1)(i): Where any employee was exposed to lead above the permissible exposure limit for more than 30 days per year, the employer did not implement engineering and work practice controls (including administrative controls) to reduce and maintain employee exposure to lead at or below the permissible exposure limit of 50 ug/M3:  (a) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Powder Processing employee was exposed to lead at an eight (8) hour time weighted average (TWA) of 320 ug/M3, approximately 6.4 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 ug/M3, on or about September 19, 2013. The exposure level was derived from two samples collected over a 376 minute period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 104 minutes.      (b) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Powder Processing employee was exposed to lead at an eight (8) hour time weighted average (TWA) of 144 ug/M3, approximately 2.88 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 ug/M3, on or about September 19, 2013. The exposure level was derived from one sample collected over a 313 minute period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 167 minutes.      (c) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Powder Processing employee was exposed to lead at a nine (9) hour time weighted average (TWA) of 98 ug/M3, approximately 2.22 times the adjusted permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 44 ug/M3, on or about September 19, 2013. The exposure level was derived from one sample collected over a 505 minute period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 35 minutes.      (d) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Press Operator employee was exposed to lead at an eight (8) hour time weighted average (TWA) of  98 ug/M3, approximately 1.96 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 ug/M3, on or about September 19, 2013. The exposure level was derived from one sample collected over a 410 minute period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 70 minutes.    (e) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Press Operator employee was exposed to lead at an eight (8) hour time weighted average (TWA) of 61 ug/M3, approximately 1.22 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 ug/M3, on or about September 19, 2013. The exposure level was derived from one sample collected over a 388 minute period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 92 minutes.   (f) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Parts Cleaner employee was exposed to lead at an eight (8) hour time weighted average (TWA) of 140 ug/M3, approximately 2.8 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 ug/M3 as measured by air sampling performed by the employer on July 25, 2013. The exposure level was derived from one sample collected over a 420 minute period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 60 minutes.      (g) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Stacker employee was exposed to lead at an eight (8) hour time weighted average (TWA) of 179 ug/M3, approximately 3.58 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 ug/M3 as measured by air sampling performed by the employer on July 29, 2013. The exposure level was derived from one sample collected over a 410 minute period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 70 minutes.    ABATEMENT NOTE:    All proposed control measures shall be approved for each particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified person.  Ninety (90) day progress reports are required during the abatement period.    *STEP 1   Establish an effective respiratory protection program as an interim protective measure.    *STEP 2    Submit to the Area Director a written, detailed plan of abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measures to control employee exposure to hazardous substances as referenced in this citation.       This plan shall include, at a minimum,, target dates for the following actions which must be consistent with the abatement dates required by this citation: 1. Evaluation of engineering/administrative control options. 2. Selection of optimum control methods and completion of design. 3. Procurement, installation and operation of selected control measures; and 4. Testing and acceptance or modification/redesign of controls.    *STEP 3    Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance.   Date by Which Violation Must be Abated:    Step ? 1     90 days  Date by Which Violation Must be Abated:    Step ? 2     90 days  Date by Which Violation Must be Abated:    Step ? 3     365 days     Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 17, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,960 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(d)(2): Each employer who had a workplace or work operation covered by this standard did not determine if any employee was exposed to lead at or above the action level:    (a) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - The employer did not perform initial air monitoring to determine a Kiln Operator's exposure to lead, on or about August 29, 2013.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 17, 2014

Abate by

Jun 2, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(d)(6)(iii): When the initial monitoring revealed that employee exposure was above the permissible exposure limit, the employer did not repeat monitoring quarterly:  (a) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Press and Powder Mix employee's exposure level to lead exceeded the permissible exposure limit of 50 ug/M3 in the first quarter of the year on March 27, 2013, and the employer did not repeat the monitoring on a quarterly basis, on or about July 1, 2013.    (b) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Powder Production employee's exposure level to lead exceeded the permissible exposure limit of 50 ug/M3 in the first quarter of the year on March 27, 2013, and the employer did not repeat the monitoring on a quarterly basis, on or about July 1, 2013.    (c) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Powder Production employee's exposure level to lead exceeded the permissible exposure limit of 50 ug/M3 in the first quarter of the year on March 27, 2013, and the employer did not repeat the monitoring on a quarterly basis, on or about July 1, 2013.    (d) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - A Stacker employee's exposure level to lead exceeded the permissible exposure limit of 50 ug/M3 in the first quarter of the year on March 27, 2013, and the employer did not repeat the monitoring during the second quarter, on or about July 1, 2013.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 17, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,960 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(1): If an employee was exposed to lead above the PEL, without regard to the use of respirators or where the possibility of skin or eye irritation existed, the employer did not provide at no cost to the employee and assure that the employee used appropriate protective work clothing and equipment such as, but not limited to the items in paragraphs 1910.1025(g)(1)(i) through 1910.1025(g)(1)(iii):     (a) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - The employer did not assure that employees who were exposed to lead above the PEL wore hats and coveralls or other full-body work clothing instead of smocks, on or about September 19, 2013.       Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 17, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(2)(iv): The employer did not assure that all protective clothing was removed at the completion of a work shift only in change rooms provided for that purpose as prescribed in paragraph (i)(2) of this section:    (a) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - The employer did not assure that protective clothing was removed at the completion of the work shift only in the change rooms provided, on or about August 29, 2013.     Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 17, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(i)(3)(i): The employer did not assure that employees who worked in areas where their airborne exposure to lead was above the PEL, without regard to the use of respirators, showered at the end of the work shift:  (a) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - The employer did not assure that employees who worked in areas, such as Powder Production, Stacking, Parts Cleaning, Crucible Loading and Press and Powder Mix, showered at the end of the work shift, on or about August 29, 2013.   Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 17, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(i)(3)(iii): The employer did not assure that employees who were required to shower pursuant to paragraph (i)(3)(i) did not leave the workplace wearing any clothing or equipment worn during the work shift:   (a) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - The employer did not assure that employees who were required to shower did not leave the workplace wearing clothing worn during the work shift, on or about September 19, 2013.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 17, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,470 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(j)(3)(i)(B): The employer did not make available medical examinations and consultations to each employee covered under 1910.1025(j)(1)(i) of this section prior to assignment for each employee assigned for the first time to an area in which airborne concentrations of lead were at or above the action level:     (a) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - The employer did not make available medical examinations prior to assignment for employees assigned for the first time to areas where the lead exposure was above the action level, on or about August 29, 2013.     Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 17, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,470 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(l)(1)(iv): The lead training program was not repeated at least annually for each employee who was subject to lead exposure at or above the action level:     (a) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - The employer did not provide lead training on an annual basis to employees exposed to lead at or above the action level, on or about August 29, 2013.      Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(m)(2)(i): The employer did not post the following warning sign in each work area where the PEL was exceeded:  DANGER, LEAD MAY DAMAGE FERTILITY OR THE UNBORN CHILD, CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, DO NOT EAT, DRINK OR SMOKE IN THIS AREA:  (a) Powder Press and Mix Room - The employer did not post a lead warning sign at the entrance leading into the Powder Press and Mix Room from the warehouse, on or about August 29, 2013.    No abatement certification or documentation required.

Issued

Jan 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances R290

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) Poling Room - An employee using "Tech Kleen RECLAIM Stabilized N Propyl Bromide" to clean parts did not wear eye protection, on or about August 29, 2013.  No abatement certification or documentation required.

Issued

Jan 17, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(e)(3)(i): The employer did not establish and implement a written compliance program to reduce exposures to or below the permissible exposure limit, and interim levels if applicable, solely by means of engineering and work practice controls in accordance with the implementation schedule in paragraph (e)(1):  (a) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - The employer did not establish a written lead compliance plan which included a description of the specific means that would be employed to achieve compliance, including engineering plans and studies used to determine methods selected for controlling exposure to lead; a report of the technology considered in meeting the permissible exposure limit; and a detailed schedule for implementation of the compliance program, including documentation such as copies of purchase orders for equipment and construction contracts, on or about August 29, 2013.   Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 17, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(n)(1)(ii): The employer did not establish and maintain air monitoring records that included all of the information contained in sections 1910.1025(n)(1)(ii)(A) through 1910.1025(n)(1)(ii)(E):  (a) Piezo Kinetics, Inc. - The employer's air monitoring record did not include the type of respiratory protection worn by employees, on or about August 29, 2013.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.