OSHA Inspection: OCM L.L.C.

Issued

2013-12-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-01-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $3500.00

Hazardous substances 0560

General-duty citation text

The violations listed below are grouped together as a single violation because they describe different aspects of a particular hazard that may increase the potential for occupational illness resulting from exposure to a toxic material.         29 CFR 1926.20(b)(3): Machinery or equipment which was not in compliance with the applicable requirements of 29 CFR 1926 was not prohibited, and/or was not either identified as unsafe by tagging, or locking the controls to render them inoperable, or by physically being removed from its place of operation.       (a)  Big Y Supermarket, North Adams:  The MK Diamond propane-powered concrete saw, Model #2025SSP, produced greater than 180,000 ppm of carbon monoxide in its exhaust emissions and resulted in workers' exposure to carbon monoxide in excess of OSHA's Permissible Exposure Level (PEL).  The employer failed to take the saw out of service before the  workers suffered the excessive exposure.

Issued

2013-12-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-01-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 0560

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.55(b): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not implemented to reduce employee exposure to toxic substances:   (a)  Stock Clerks of Big Y Supermarkets working in areas adjacent to the operating MK Diamond Concrete Saw were exposed to carbon monoxide at concentrations in excess of the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit.  Exposures ranged up to 256 ppm of carbon monoxide as an 8 hour, time-weighted average.  OCM LLC did not implement feasible administrative or engineering controls to prevent the excessive exposures.  Feasible controls include the substitution of concrete saws that do not produce carbon monoxide such as electric, hydraulic, or pneumatically powered saws or the use of greater dilution ventilation in tandem with real time carbon monoxide monitoring to ensure workers are not excessively exposed.  These measures are not exclusive of other feasible engineering controls that would be effective in preventing excessive carbon monoxide exposures.

Issued

2013-12-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-01-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

The violations listed below are grouped together as a single violation because they describe different aspects of a particular hazard that may increase the potential for occupational illness resulting from exposure to a toxic material.         29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(i): The employee training for the Hazard Communication Standard did not include the methods and observations used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area: (Construction Reference: 1926.59)     (a)  The employees operating the propane-powered Concrete Saw were not trained in the symptoms of incipient carbon monoxide poisoning so that they would recognize when the saw is malfunctioning and producing excessive amounts of carbon monoxide.

Issued

2013-12-27 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-01-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 0560

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(iii): The employee training for the Hazard Communication Standard did not include the measures employees can take to protect themselves from chemical hazards, including specific procedures the employer had implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment to be used: (Construction Reference: 1926.59)    (a)  The employees operating the propane-powered concrete saw were not trained in the intricacies of vapor-withdrawal propane engines and the fact that attachment of the wrong type of propane cylinder can cause production of dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide.  They were not trained in the necessity of frequent engine tune-ups to keep production of carbon monoxide at safer levels.  Finally they were not trained that the use of the propane powered saw in interior locations is dangerous unless continuous carbon monoxide monitoring is being performed.