OSHA Inspection: WAUPUN EQUIPMENT CO., INC.

Issued

Jun 25, 2014

Abate by

Oct 3, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

Hazardous substances C730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(i)(1): Concentration levels of carbon monoxide gas created by powered industrial truck operations exceeded the levels specified in 1910.1000:    (a) On January 22, 2014, an employee was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour time weighted average of 186.7 ppm which is 3.73 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm. This exposure was determined using a post-exposure carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) measurement.     (b) On January 22, 2014, an employee was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour time weighted average of 186.3 ppm which is 3.73 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm. This exposure was determined using a post-exposure carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) measurement.     (c) On January 22, 2014, an employee was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour time weighted average of 260.3 ppm which is 5.21 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm. This exposure was determined using a post-exposure carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) measurement.     (d) On January 22, 2014, an employee was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour time weighted average of 323.2 ppm which is 6.46 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm. This exposure was determined using a post-exposure carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) measurement.

Issued

Jun 25, 2014

Abate by

Oct 3, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances C730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(a)(2): Employee(s) were exposed to an airborne concentration of carbon monoxide listed in Table Z-1 in excess of the 8 hour time weighted average concentration of 50 ppm:     (a) On January 22, 2014, an employee was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour time weighted average of 186.7 ppm which is 3.73 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm. This exposure was determined using a post-exposure carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) measurement.     (b) On January 22, 2014, an employee was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour time weighted average of 186.3 ppm which is 3.73 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm. This exposure was determined using a post-exposure carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) measurement.     (c) On January 22, 2014, an employee was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour time weighted average of 260.3 ppm which is 5.21 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm. This exposure was determined using a post-exposure carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) measurement.     (d) On January 22, 2014, an employee was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour time weighted average of 323.2 ppm which is 6.46 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm. This exposure was determined using a post-exposure carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) measurement.

Issued

Jun 25, 2014

Abate by

Aug 15, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances C730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(e): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not determined and implemented to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d):    (a) On January 22, 2014, an employee was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour time weighted average of 186.7 ppm which is 3.73 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm. This exposure was determined using a post-exposure carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) measurement. Engineering and administrative controls were not implemented to prevent overexposure.     (b) On January 22, 2014, an employee was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour time weighted average of 186.3 ppm which is 3.73 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm. This exposure was determined using a post-exposure carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) measurement. Engineering and administrative controls were not implemented to prevent overexposure.     (c) On January 22, 2014, an employee was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour time weighted average of 260.3 ppm which is 5.21 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm. This exposure was determined using a post-exposure carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) measurement. Engineering and administrative controls were not implemented to prevent overexposure.     (d) On January 22, 2014, an employee was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour time weighted average of 323.2 ppm which is 6.46 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm. This exposure was determined using a post-exposure carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) measurement. Engineering and administrative controls were not implemented to prevent overexposure.     Abatement normally will be multistep as follows:    STEP 1:  Continuous air monitoring devices shall be provided and used by exposed employees as an interim protective measure until feasible engineering and/or administrative controls can be implemented, or whenever such controls fail to reduce employee exposure to within exposure limits.    Abatement due 30 days from issuance date:      STEP 2:  Submit to the Area Director a written detailed plan of abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and /or administrative measures to control employee exposure to hazardous substance as referenced in this Citation.  This plan shall include, at a minimum, target dates for the following actions which must be consistent with the abatement dates required by this Citation:    1.  Evaluation of engineering/administrative control options;    2.  Selection of optimum control methods and completion of design;    3.  Procurement, installation, and operation of selected control measures; and    4.  Testing and acceptable or modification/redesign of controls.    All proposed control measures shall be approved for each particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified person.    Abatement due 60 days from issuance date:     Step 3:  Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance.    Abatement due 90 days from issuance date:

Issued

Jun 25, 2014

Abate by

Jul 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(3)(ii)(H): Powered industrial truck operators did not receive training on the following work-place related topic: closed environments and other areas where insufficient ventilation or poor vehicle maintenance could cause a buildup of carbon monoxide or diesel exhaust:     On January 22, 2014, employees did not receive training on the hazards of carbon monoxide buildup in closed work environments.

Issued

Jun 25, 2014

Abate by

Aug 15, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):    On or about January 22, 2014, where employees are using and exposed to hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to: brake cleaner and carbon monoxide, the employer did not develop and implement a written hazard communication program.

Issued

Jun 25, 2014

Abate by

Oct 3, 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:    On January 22, 2014, employees were not provided training on hazardous chemicals such as carbon monoxide, starting fluid and brake cleaner, the hazards of which include, but are not limited to: asphyxiation.

Issued

Jun 25, 2014

Abate by

Jul 24, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7): Industrial trucks were not examined before being placed in service:    On or about February 11, 2014, employees did not perform inspections prior to operating the fork lift.

Issued

Jun 25, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.39(a): The employer did not orally report the death of an employee or the in-patient hospitalization of three or more employees because of a work-related incident:     On or about February 11, 2014, the employer failed to report to OSHA a work-related in-patient hospitalization of four employees due to carbon monoxide exposure.

Issued

Jun 25, 2014

Abate by

Jul 24, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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):  On or about February 11, 2014, employees operating the Clark fork lift were not provided training.