OSHA Inspection: VISUAL PRODUCTS CORP

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Aug 15, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): In any workplace where respirators are necessary to protect the health of the employee or whenever respirators are required by the employer, the employer shall establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures. The program shall be updated as necessary to reflect those changes in workplace conditions that affect respirator use. The employer shall include in the program the following provisions of this section, as applicable:  (a) Visual Products Corp at 2930 W. 9th Ave., Denver, CO 80204: On and before January 29th, 2014, the employer did not ensure a written respiratory protection program with worksite specific procedures, as specified in subparagraphs (c)(1)(i) through (ix) of this section, was established and implemented when the use of respirators was required.  The employer provided and required the use Survivair, half face, air purifying respirators equipped with Sperian organic vapor cartridges with N95 pre-filters when conducting spray painting operations in paint booths.  This condition exposed employees to a respiratory hazard.                                                                                                 Abatement note: The written program shall include at least the following:                                                                                                                        (1)  Procedures for selecting respirators for use in the workplace;                                                                                                                         (2)  Medical evaluations of employees required to use respirators;                                                                                                                          (3)  Fit testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators;                                                                                                                                  (4)  Procedures for proper use of respirators in routine and reasonably foreseeable emergency situations;                                                                                                                                                                                                                    (5)  Procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and otherwise maintaining respirators;                                                                                                                          (6)  Procedures to ensure adequate air quality, quantity, and flow of breathing air for atmosphere-supplying respirators;                                                                                                                                                  (7)  Training of employees in the respiratory hazards to which they are potentially exposed during routine and emergency situations;                                                                                                                                       (8)  Training of employees in the proper use of respirators, including putting on and removing them, any limitations on their use, and their maintenance; and                                                                                                                 (9)  Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Sep 12, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): General. The employer shall provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace. The employer may discontinue an employee's medical evaluations when the employee is no longer required to use a respirator.    (a)   Visual Products Corp at 2930 W. 9th Ave., Denver, CO 80204: On and before January 29th, 2014, the employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employees ability to use a respirator, before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace.  The employer provided and required the use of half face air purifying respirators for employees conducting spray painting operations in the paint booths.  This condition may exacerbate an underlying medical condition.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Jul 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(1): The employer shall ensure that employees using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator pass an appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT) as stated in this paragraph.  (a)   Visual Products Corp at 2930 W. 9th Ave., Denver, CO 80204: On and before January 29th, 2014, the employer  did not ensure that fit tests were provided prior to the use of each type of respirators that were provided to employees.  The employer provided employees with tight fitting N95 (dust masks/filtering facepieces) and Survivair half face air purifying respirators equipped with Sperian organic vapor cartridges and N95 pre-filters.  This condition potentially exposed employees to a respiratory hazard due to improper fit of the respirator.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Jul 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1)(v): What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator;   (a)   Visual Products Corp at 2930 W. 9th Ave., Denver, CO 80204: On and before January 29th, 2014, the employer did not ensure that respirator training was provided to employees.  The employer provided employees with Survivair half face air purifying respirators equipped with Sperian organic vapor cartridges and N95 pre-filters discovered hanging from a nail in the paint mixing area.  The respirator was not in a protective bag or container to prevent contamination.  This condition exposed employees to a respiratory hazard.   Abatement Note:  The employer shall ensure that each employee can demonstrate knowledge of at least the following: (1)  Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator;  (2)  What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are; (3)  How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions; (4)  How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals for the respirator; (5)  What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator; (6)  How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators; and, (7)  The general requirements of this section.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Aug 15, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(d)(1)(i): Where MC is present in the workplace, the employer shall determine each employee's exposure by either:[A] taking a personal breathing zone air sample of each employee's exposure; or [B] taking personal breathing zone samples that are representative of each employee's exposure.  (a)   Visual Products Corp at 2930 W. 9th Ave., Denver, CO 80204: On and before January 29th, 2014, the employer had not conducted exposure monitoring for employees using Methylene Chloride to bond plastics when constructing lettering for signs. This condition poses a health hazard from exposure to a known carcinogen.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Sep 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(i)(2): If it is reasonably foreseeable that an employee's eyes may contact solutions containing 0.1 percent or greater MC (for example through splashes, spills or improper work practices), the employer shall provide appropriate eyewash facilities within the immediate work area for emergency use, and shall ensure that affected employees use those facilities when necessary.    (a)  Visual Products Corp at 2930 W. 9th Ave., Denver, CO 80204: On and before January 29th, 2014, the employer   did not ensure employees had suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body within the work area for immediate emergency use.  Employees use Methylene Chloride (MC) at concentrations above 0.1 percent MC when making signs.  This condition exposes employees to a chemical hazard.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Jul 31, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(l)(3)(i): The employer shall inform each affected employee of the requirements of this section and information available in its appendices, as well as how to access or obtain a copy of it in the workplace;  (a)   Visual Products Corp at 2930 W. 9th Ave., Denver, CO 80204: On and before January 29th, 2014, the employer did not ensure employees were properly trained and aware of the hazards associated with Methylene Chloride (MC).  On 5/30/2014, sampling was conducted for MC during sign fabrication and resulted in a short term exposure level of 73ppm for a 15 min exposure.  Although the permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 125ppm for a short term exposure, the sample validates an employee exposure to MC.  Should an employee spend more time using MC during a work shift there is potential for exposure above the PEL.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Sep 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.    (a) Visual Products Corp at 2930 W. 9th Ave., Denver, CO 80204: On and before January 29th, 2014, the employer   did not ensure through written verification that a workplace personal protective equipment (PPE) hazard assessment had been performed.  This condition potentially exposes employees to injuries to the eyes, face, and hands.