OSHA Inspection: SPECIALTY SUPPORT SYSTEMS, INC.

Issued

Apr 3, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $900 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1): When information indicated that any employee's exposure equaled or exceed the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program:   a)  Specialty Support Systems - A working foreman who performs welding and fitting was exposed to continuous noise at 72.59% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an eight hour time weighted average of 87.6 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 468 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 12 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not develop and implement a representative monitoring program for those employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about January 13, 2014.      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 that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.      ABATEMENT NOTE:  Employees shall be informed of the following:  1. The effects of noise on hearing.  2. The purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care.  3. The purpose of audiometric testing and an explanation of the test procedures.

Issued

Apr 3, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:   a)  Specialty Support Systems - A working foreman who performs welding and fitting was exposed to continuous noise at 72.59% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an eight hour time weighted average of 87.6 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 468 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 12 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not provide audiometric testing for an employee exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about January 13, 2014.      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 that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 3, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 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)  Specialty Support Systems - A working foreman who performs welding and fitting was exposed to continuous noise at 72.59% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an eight hour time weighted average of 87.6 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 468 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 12 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not institute a training program for employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about January 13, 2014.        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 that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 3, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $900 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2150

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(2): The educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting was not provided to all employees upon initial employment, and at least annually thereafter:   a)  Specialty Support Systems - Employees utilizes Brite Zinc, an aerosol galvanizing compound that contains flammable constituents such as propane and acetone to touch up welds and the employer did not provide an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting, on or about January 13, 2014.  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 that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.    ABATEMENT NOTE: By this date the employer must either correct the alleged violation or implement a Fire Safety Policy, as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.38(a) and (b) which included the evacuation requirement of 29 CFR 1910.157(b).

Issued

Apr 3, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l):  a)  Specialty Support Systems - On or about January 13, 2014, an employee was operating a propane powered forklift to move steel beams and the employer did not ensure that the powered industrial truck operator was competent to operate the forklift safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation as specified in paragraph (l):     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 that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 3, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(m)(5)(iii): When the operator of an industrial truck was dismounted and within 25 feet of the truck still in his view, the load engaging means were not fully lowered, controls neutralized, and the brakes set to prevent movement:  a)  Specialty Support Systems - On or about January 13, 2014, an employee dismounted a lift truck after entering the building with an elevated load, and prior to dismounting did not set the brakes and fully lower the load engaging means.     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 that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 3, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7): Industrial trucks were not examined before being placed in service:     a)  Specialty Support Systems - On or about January 13, 2014, an employee was operating a propane powered forklift to move steel beams and the employer did not ensure that the forklift was examined prior to use and at least daily thereafter.      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 that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 3, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4): Work rest(s) on grinding machinery were not adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one eighth inch:   a)  Specialty Support Systems - On or about January 13, 2014, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards from a bench grinder that did not have the work rest adjusted to within 1/8" of the abrasive grinding wheel.  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 that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 3, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9):  Guard for abrasive wheel machine where the operator stands in front of the machine was not constructed so that the peripheral protecting member could be adjusted to the constantly decreasing diameter of the wheel:   a)  Specialty Support Systems - On or about January 13, 2014, employees were exposed to hazards of flying particles from a bench grinder on the production floor that did not have a peripheral member at the top that could be adjusted to within 1/4" to the wheel periphery.  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 that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Apr 3, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $900 Reduced

Hazardous substances 004015202150

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement and maintain at the workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g) and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met:  a)  Specialty Support Systems - Employees use various chemicals, including but not limited to, various welding wires and solvent based coatings, and the employer did not develop, implement and maintain at the workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g) and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met, on or about January 13, 2014.    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 that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.    ABATEMENT NOTE: A written program shall include descriptions of how the criteria for the following will be met: 1.  Labeling, pictograms, and other forms of warning; 2.  Safety Data Sheets; 3.  Employee information and training.    Additionally, a list of hazardous chemicals known to be present in the workplace must be compiled.  Methods used to inform employees of the hazards associated with non-routine tasks and the informing of contractors of workplace hazards, including a description of the labeling system used in the facility and of the availability of material safety data sheets, must also be addressed.  The written program must be made available upon request.

Issued

Apr 3, 2014

Abate by

Apr 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 21502590Z100

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)  Specialty Support Systems - Employees use various chemicals, including but not limited to, various welding wires and solvent based coatings, and the employer did not provided effective information and training as specified by the elements under 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1) through (h)(3) on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard was introduced into their work area, on or about January 13, 2014.    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 that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.    ABATEMENT NOTE: Employees shall be informed of the following: 1. The requirements of this section; 2. Any operations where hazardous chemicals are present; 3. The location and availability of the written Hazard Communication Program, list(s) of hazardous chemicals and Safety Data Sheets.    Employee training shall include at least: 1. Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of hazardous chemical in the work area. 2. The physical, health, simple asphyxiation, combustible dust, and pyrophoric gas hazards, as well as hazards not otherwise classified, of the chemicals in the work area. 3. The measures employees can take to protect themselves such as specific procedures and personal, protective equipment to be used. 4. The details of the employer's Hazard Communication Program including an explanation of the labels received on shipped containers and the workplace labeling system used by the employer; Safety Data Sheets, including the order of information and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information.