OSHA Inspection: DIXIE TANK COMPANY

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

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

Hazardous substances 90109130

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(i): Selection of appropriate respirators was not based on the respiratory hazard(s) to which the worker was exposed and user factors that affect respirator performance and reliability:    a.  On or about November 19, 2013, at the blasting area, two employees working together to blast a stainless steel pressure vessel with Starblast, an agent that contained 3% silica, went inside the tank to shovel the blasting agent out of the tank using a half face tight fitting respirator with Moldex 7600 cartridges that offered protection against organic vapors, ammonia, methylamine, chlorine, hydrogen chloride, sulfur dioxide, OR hydrogen fluoride, OR chlorine dioxide, OR formaldehyde, and OR hydrogen sulfide.  The employer did not provide an air-purifying respirator equipped with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to protect against particulates.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

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

Hazardous substances 068990109130

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, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) was use, and at least annually thereafter:    a. On or about November 1, 2013, at Shop No. 5, an employee working as a welder was exposed to chromium (VI) at an 8-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) of 59.2 micrograms per cubic meter, 11.8 times the limit of 5.0 micrograms per cubic meter while welding inside a stainless steel pressure vessel.   The sampling was performed for 253 minutes during one shift.  While welding inside stainless steel and carbon steel pressure vessels employees were required to wear a half face tight fitting respirator and the employer did ensure that employees were fit tested annually thereafter.    b.  On or about November 1, 2013, at the paint shop, employees spray-painting pressure vessels and tanks were required to use a tight fitting full face respirator with cartridges and the employer did not ensure that employees were fit tested annually thereafter.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689246025909130

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. On or about November 1, 2013, at production shops, employees working as welders were required to use a tight fitting half face respirator while welding stainless steel and carbon steel pressure vessels and tanks to obtain protection against chromium (VI) and welding fumes, and the employer did not ensure that employees did not wear the respirators with facial hair that interfered with the seal of the respirator or the valve function.     b. On or about November 21, 2013, at the paint shop, employees working as painters and blasters were required to use a tight fitting full face respirator while spray-painting tanks and a half face respirator while shoveling blasting agent out of the tanks, and the employer did not ensure that employees did not wear the respirator with facial hair that interfered with the seal of the respirator or the valve function.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2590

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.  On or about November 19, 2013, at the paint shop, employees spray painting inside and outside tanks wore a head sock underneath the full face tight fitting respirator that interfered with the face-to-facepiece seal.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(i)(7): Oil lubricated compressor(s) used to supply breathing air did not have a high-temperature or carbon monoxide alarm(s) or both to monitor carbon monoxide levels.  When only high-temperature alarms were use, the employer did not monitored the air supply at intervals sufficient to prevent carbon monoxide levels in the breathing air to exceed 10 parts per million:    a. On or about November 19, 2013, at the blasting area, the breathing air provided to the employees while using an air-supplied blasting helmet came from an oil lubricated compressor that only had a high-temperature alarm and the employer did not monitor the air supply to ensure that carbon monoxide in the breathing air did not exceed 10 parts per million.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

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

Hazardous substances 068990109130

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1): The employer did not ensure that each employee can demonstrate knowledge of items in (i)-(vii):    a. On or about November 1, 2013, at the production shops, blast and paint areas, employees were required to use respirators while welding, blasting, and spray-paint inside pressure vessels and tanks and the employer did not ensure that employees could demonstrate knowledge of:    1. What are the limitations and capabilities of the respirator;  2. How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations in which the respirator malfunctions;  3. How to inspect the respirators;  4. What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator; and  5. The general requirements of the respiratory protection standard.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 068990109130

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(5): Respiratory protection retraining was not conducted annually:  a. On or about November 1, 2013, at the production shops, blast and paint areas, employees were required to use respirators while welding, blasting, and spray-paint inside pressure vessels and tanks and the employer did not ensure that training on respiratory protection was conducted annually.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

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

Hazardous substances 068990109130

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(l)(1): Evaluations of the workplace were not conducted to ensure the written respiratory protection program was being effectively implemented:    a. On or about November 1, 2013, at the production shops, blast and paint areas, employees were required to use respirators while welding, blasting, and spray-paint inside pressure vessels and tanks and the employer did not evaluated the respiratory protection program to ensure that it was being effectively implemented.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(a)(3)(i): Places of employment were not kept clean to the extent that the nature of the work allowed:    a. On or about November 1, 2013, at the production shop, the toilet facilities were not maintained in a sanitary condition in that the sinks, urinals and walls were covered with brown filth that accumulated with time due to lack of cleaning and maintenance.    b. On or about November 1, 2013, at the break room, the eating and drinking facility was not maintained in a sanitary condition that the outside and inside of the microwaves had accumulation of old food splatter and the walls and chairs were covered with brown filth that accumulated with time due to lack of cleaning and maintenance.    c. On or about November 1, 2013, the offices were not maintained in a sanitary condition in that there was presence of fungi growth in the ceiling tiles due to continuous leaks from the air conditioning ducts and the walls and floors were covered with brown filth that accumulated with time due to lack of cleaning and maintenance.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(g)(2): Employees were permitted to consume food or beverage in area(s) exposed to toxic materials:    a. On or about November 1, 2013, the employer allowed employees to consume beverages, smoke and chew tobacco or gum in areas where employees were exposed to Chromium (VI) while welding on stainless steel pressure vessels and skin and/or eye contact with chromium (VI) may occurred and in the paint shop where the employees handled hazardous paints and coatings.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 06890691

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(c): Employees were exposed to an airborne concentration of chromium (VI) which exceeded 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air, as an 8-hour time-weighted average:    a. On or about November 1, 2013, at Shop No. 5, an employee working as a welder was exposed to chromium (VI) at an 8-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) of 59.2 micrograms per cubic meter, 11.8 times the limit of 5.0 micrograms per cubic meter while welding inside a stainless steel tank.   The sampling was performed for 253 minutes during one shift.  The employer did not ensure that employees were not exposed to an airborne concentration that exceeded 5 micrograms per cubic meter as an 8-hour TWA.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jul 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(3)(i)(B)(1): The employer did not select a respirator for employee use that maintained the employee's exposure to the hazardous substance, when measured outside the respirator, at or below the maximum use concentration:     a.  On or about November 1, 2013, at Shop No. 5, an employee working as a welder was exposed to chromium (VI) at a Time Weighted Average (TWA) of 59.2 micrograms per cubic meter, 11.8 times the limit of 5.0 micrograms per cubic meter while welding inside a stainless steel pressure vessel.   The sampling was performed for 253 minutes during one shift.  The employer did not select a respirator that maintained the employee's exposure to chromium (VI) at or below the maximum use concentration when measured outside the respirator.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 06890691

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(f)(1)(i): Feasible engineering controls and work practices were not instituted to reduce and maintain employee exposures to chromium (VI) at or below the permissible exposure limit:  a. On or about November 1, 2013, at Shop No. 5, an employee working as a welder was exposed to chromium (VI) at an 8-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) of 59.2 micrograms per cubic meter, 11.8 times the limit of 5.0 micrograms per cubic meter while welding inside a stainless steel pressure vessel.   The sampling was performed for 253 minutes during one shift.  The employer did not institute feasible engineering controls and work practices to reduce and maintain employees' exposure to chromium (VI) at or below 5 microgram per cubic meter as an 8-hour TWA.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 06890691

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(d)(1): The employer with a workplace or work operation covered by this standard did not determine the 8-hour time-weighted average exposure for each employee exposed to chromium (VI):    a. On or about November 1, 2013, at Shop No. 5, an employee working as a welder was exposed to chromium (VI) at an 8-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) of 59.2 micrograms per cubic meter, 11.8 times the limit of 5.0 micrograms per cubic meter while welding inside a stainless steel pressure vessel.   The sampling was performed for 253 minutes during one shift.  The employer did not determine the 8-hour TWA exposure for each employee exposed to chromium (VI) either by conducting initial monitoring or using the performance-oriented option.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 06890691

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(k)(1)(i)(A): The employer did not make medical surveillance available for all employees who were or could be occupationally exposed to chromium (VI) at or above the action level for 30 or more days a year:    a. On November 1, 2013, an employee working as a welder was exposed to chromium (VI) at an 8-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) of 59.2 micrograms per cubic meter, 11.8 times the limit of 5.0 micrograms per cubic meter while welding inside and outside a stainless steel pressure vessel.   The sampling was performed for 253 minutes during one shift. The employer did not make medical surveillance available to those employees welding inside a stainless steel pressure vessel who were exposed to or could be occupationally exposed to chromium (VI) at the action level for 30 or more days a year.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

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

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(l)(1)(iii): The employer did not include chromium (VI) in the hazard communication program established to comply with the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), ensure that each employee had access to labels on containers of chromium (VI) and to safety data sheets, and was trained in accordance with the requirements of HCS and 29 CFR 1910.1026:     a.  On or about November 1, 2013, at Shop No. 5, employees were welding stainless steel pressure vessels and the employer did not trained the employees on:    1. The health hazards associated with chromium (VI) exposure;  2. The location, manner of use and release of chromium (VI);  3. Engineering controls and work practices associated with the employee's job assignment;  4. Emergency procedures; and  5. Measures employees were to take to protect themselves.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(l)(2)(i): The employer did not provide training and information to ensure that employees could demonstrate knowledge of the 29 CFR 1910.1026 Hexavalent Chromium standard, and the purpose and description of the medical surveillance program required under this standard:  a.  On or about November 1, 2013, at Shop No. 5, employees were welding stainless steel pressure vessels and the employer did not ensure that each employee could demonstrate knowledge of the contents of the hexavalent chromium standard nor the purpose and description of the medical surveillance program required under this standard.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(l)(2)(ii): The employer did not make a copy of the Chromium (VI) standard, 29 CFR 1910.1026, readily available to all employees who were exposed to chromium (VI):  a.  On or about November 1, 2013, at Shop No. 5, employees were welding and grinding stainless steel pressure vessels and the employer did not ensure that there was a copy of the hexavalent chromium standard readily available to all employees.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  a.  On or about November 1, 2013, at production shops, employees working as welders manufacturing carbon steel and stainless steel tanks were potentially being exposed to welding fumes, fluxes, electrodes and rods made of chromium, chromium alloys, iron oxide, and other hazardous components and the employer had not provided information and training on the health and physical hazards of these hazardous chemicals at the time of initial employment.  b. On or about November 1, 2013, at the blasting area, employees were expose to respirable silica dust while blasting the tanks with Starblast and the employer had not provided information and training on the health hazards of being exposed to silica and the contributing health effect factor of smoking.  c. On or about November 1, 2013, at the paint shop, employees working as painters used hazardous chemicals such as methyl ethyl ketone to clean the air guns, paints and thinners to spray-paint tanks and the employer had not provided information and training on the health and physical hazards of these hazardous chemicals.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(c)(1)(iv): The employer did not include the potentially hazardous materials employed in fluxes, coatings, coverings, and filler metals, all of which are potentially used in welding and cutting, in the program established to comply with Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) (sec. 1910.1200).  a.  On or about November 1, 2013, at production shops, employees working as welders manufacturing carbon steel and stainless steel tanks were potentially being exposed to welding fumes, fluxes, cleaners, covered electrodes and filler metals containing chromium, and chromium alloys, iron oxide, fluorides, manganese and/or manganese alloys, nickel, copper, zinc and/or zinc oxides, and other hazardous components and the employer had not provided information and training on the health and physical hazards of these hazardous chemicals at the time of initial employment.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(6): At least annually after obtaining the baseline audiogram, the employer did not obtain a new audiogram for each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels :  a. An employee working as a welder was exposed to a noise dose of 90.1%, or an equivalent dBA (decibels "A" scale) of 89.2 dBA.  The sampling was performed for 373 minutes during one work shift on November 19, 2013. The employer did not obtain a new audiogram for the welders and fitters that were exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels at least annually.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jun 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95(k). The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:    a. An employee working as a welder was exposed to a noise dose of 90.1%, or an equivalent dBA (decibels, "A" scale) of 89.2 dBA.  The sampling was performed for 373 minutes during one work shift on November 19, 2013.  The employer did not institute a training program or trained the employees on the effects of noise on hearing, the purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care, and the purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures.

Issued

Apr 22, 2014

Abate by

Jul 9, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 068981109010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1020(g)(1): The employer did not inform current employees upon first entering into employment, and at least annually thereafter, of (i) the existence, location, and availability of any employee exposure and medical records covered by this section; (ii) the person responsible for maintaining and providing access to these records; and (iii) each employee's rights of access to these records:    a. On or about November 1, 2010, the employer had not provided any informational training on (i) the existence, location, or availability of medical records and exposure information, such as air and noise monitoring, medical evaluations for the use of respirators, fit tests records, and audiograms, (ii) the person responsible for maintaining and providing access to these records; and (iii) each employees' rights to access to these records.