OSHA Inspection: PHOENIX TUBE COMPANY INC.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Sep 15, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,100 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1):     The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:     On or about May 9th, 2014, the employer failed to maintain a continuing and effective hearing conservation program:     (a) A Mill Operator employee was exposed to continuous noise at 84% of the permissible daily noise exposure (8 hour time weighted average sound level of 90 dBA) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 88.7 dBA during the 341 minute sampling period on 5/9/2014; exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 139 minutes not sampled.     (b) A Packing employee was exposed to continuous noise at 81.9% of the permissible daily noise exposure (8 hour time weighted average sound level of 90 dBA) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 88.5 dBA during the 338 minute sampling period on 5/9/2014; exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 142 minutes not sampled.    (c) A Packing / Clean Up employee was exposed to continuous noise at 73.3% of the permissible daily noise exposure (8 hour time weighted average sound level of 90 dBA) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 87.7 dBA during the 335 minute sampling period on 5/9/2014; exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 145 minutes not sampled.    (d) A Mill Operator employee was exposed to continuous noise at 104.7% of the permissible daily noise exposure (8 hour time weighted average sound level of 90 dBA) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 90.3 dBA during the 332 minute sampling period on 5/9/2014; exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 148 minutes not sampled.     Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Aug 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(2)(ii)(b)(2):     The quantity of Category 2, 3 or 4 flammable liquids in containers located outside of an inside storage room or storage cabinet in a building or in any one fire area of a building exceeded 120 gallons:    On or about January 1st, 2014 at least 330 gallons of Category 2 flammable liquids (liquid total includes 55-gallon drums of Toluene, Acetone, and Clear Tube Coating Lacquer) were stored outside of an inside storage room on a storage rack across from the tube mill.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Aug 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(j)(2):     The items listed in subparagraphs (j)(2)(i)-(vii) were not inspected for defects at intervals as defined in paragraph (j)(1)(ii) of this section or as specifically indicated, and all deficiencies were not carefully examined and a determination made as to whether they constituted a safety hazard:    On or about January 15th, 2014:    The employer did not complete frequent (monthly at minimum) inspections of its overhead cranes used to hoist raw material and/or bundles of finished tubes.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Aug 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(j)(3):   Complete inspections of the crane was not being performed at intervals as generally defined in paragraph (j)(1)(ii)(b) of this section:  On or about January 15th, 2014:  The employer did not complete periodic (yearly at minimum) inspections of its overhead cranes used to hoist raw material and/or bundles of finished tubes.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Sep 15, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1):     One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:     On or about January 15th, 2014:     Employees operating the tube mill were exposed to amputation hazards from in-going nip points where roller dies meet steel passing through to be formed.     Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Jul 16, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(b)(2)(iii):     Workers and other persons adjacent to the welding area were not protected from the rays by noncombustible or flameproof screens or shields:    On or about January 15th, 2014:    Mill operating employees near the welding area to join the two ends of steel to be processed into tubes were not protected from the rays by noncombustible or flameproof screens or shields. An employee that stands near the hoop cage panel while the welding occurs is not protected from the intense visible light.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2):     Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:    On or about May 9th, 2014:    A relocatable power tap behind the tube mill was used as a substitute for fixed wiring to provide power to lights above the tube mill.    Abatement certification is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(ii):     There was a defect or evidence of damage that could have exposes an employee to injury and the defective or damaged item was not removed from service:    On or about May 9th, 2014:    a) A chop saw's cord was spliced together and wrapped with electrical tape to repair a cut, compromising the insulation and outer sheath properties.    b) A reciprocating saw's cord was spliced together and wrapped with electrical tape to repair a cut, compromising the insulation and outer sheath properties.    Abatement certification is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Jul 16, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2):   The employer did not verify, through a written certification, that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed:  On or about January 15th, 2014:  The employer did not have a written certification to demonstrate that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed.  Abatement certification is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).