OSHA Inspection: TIFTON ALUMINUM EXTRUSIONS, INC.

Issued

Jun 10, 2014

Abate by

Jul 7, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $3,600

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(2)(ii)(A): The employer did not ensure that hearing protectors are worn by any employee who is exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or greater and has not yet had a baseline audiogram established pursuant to 29 CFR 1910.95(g)(5)(ii):  a) In the Production Area, on or about February 19, 2014 and at times prior to, the employer did not ensure that hearing protection was utilized until a baseline audiogram was administered for a forklift operator who was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 87.9 dBA during the 424 minute sampling period, which is 1.51 times the Action Level of 85 dBA, resulting in progressive hearing loss hazard.

Issued

Jun 10, 2014

Abate by

Jul 7, 2014

Penalty

Initial $5,400 · Current $5,400

Hazardous substances E227

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(e)(3): Original containers of flammables liquids were not maintained closed and sealed when not in use:  a) Wet Paint Area, on or about and at times preceding to February 19, 2014, numerous open containers of flammable liquids were present in the paint booth area containing flammable liquids such as: Vertecbio Elrine 118.

Issued

Jun 10, 2014

Abate by

Jul 7, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $4,500

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:  (a) Along the aisle way adjacent to Press #2, on or about and at times preceding to February 19, 2014, employees were exposed to the extreme heat, up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, emitted from Press #2, exposing them to severe burn hazards.

Issued

Jun 10, 2014

Abate by

Jul 7, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $3,600

Hazardous substances 25909135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:   (a) Plant Facility, on or about and at times preceding to February 19, 2014, a written respiratory protection program had not been developed for the workplace required use of respirators in the powder coating booth and in the wet paint area. Deficiencies included: no cartridge change schedule was developed, improper respirator storage, facial hair was present preventing a proper seal, no fit testing was conducted, no medical evaluations were performed, and no respirator training.   Abatement Note:         A minimally acceptable respiratory protection program shall include all of the following requirements:         1.  Written standard operating procedures governing the selection and use of respirators shall be established.      2.  Only approved respirators shall be used.  Respirators shall be selected on the basis of hazards to which the worker is exposed.      3.  Respirators must be provided free-of-charge where respirators are needed to protect the health of the employees.      4.  Employers must provide (free-of-charge) a medical evaluation to determine each employee's fitness to wear a respirator before initial use.      5.  Before initial respirator use, fit testing is required for all employees using negative or positive pressure tight-fitting respirators where such respirators are required by OSHA or where the employer requires the use of such a respirator.      6.  The user shall be instructed and trained in the proper use of respirators and their limitations.     7.  Surveillance of work area conditions and degree of employee exposure or stress shall be conducted.      8.  Employer must ensure the use of respirators where respirators are needed to protect the health of the employees.      9.  Respirators shall be regularly cleaned and disinfected to keep them in a sanitary condition.      10. Respirators shall be stored in a clean and sanitary location to prevent damage and contamination.      11. Respirators shall be inspected during cleaning and repaired when necessary.      12. There shall be regular inspection and evaluation to determine the continued effectiveness of the program.

Issued

Jun 10, 2014

Abate by

Jul 7, 2014

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $6,300

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(5)(i): Locks, tags, chains, wedges, key blocks, adapter pins, self-locking fasteners, or other hardware were not provided by the employer for isolating, securing, or blocking of machines or equipment from energy sources:  (a) In the Plant Facility, on or about and at times preceding to January 16, 2014, employees performing maintenance on Press #2 were not provided locks or any other isolating hardware, Press #2 was left in automatic mode and activated, crushing operator's foot.

Issued

Jun 10, 2014

Abate by

Jul 7, 2014

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $6,300

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(i): A procedure was not utilized to afford the employees a level of protection equivalent to that provided by the implementation of a personal lockout or tagout device when servicing and/or maintenance was performed by a crew, craft:  (a) Plant Facility, on or about and at times proceeding to January 16, 2014, when performing maintenance and repair procedures on Press #2 by three individuals, each exposed employee was not equipped with an individual lock.

Issued

Jun 10, 2014

Abate by

Jul 7, 2014

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $6,300

Hazardous substances 2260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(o)(1): Load(s) on powered industrial truck(s) were not stable or safely arranged:  a) Caustic Room, on or about February 1, 2014, employee transporting a tote of sodium hydroxide did not have the load secured and the product spilled when backing down ramp.

Issued

Jun 10, 2014

Abate by

Jul 7, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2260

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) Plant Facility, on or about and at times proceeding to February 19, 2014, employees engaged in wet painting, powder coating, aluminum extrusion processes and caustic room activities had not been trained on the hazards of the chemicals that they were exposed to, such as but not limited to: sodium hydroxide, solvent paints, and powder coatings.

Issued

Jun 10, 2014

Abate by

Jul 7, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(iv):   The details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, did not include an explanation of the labels received on shipped containers and the workplace labeling system used by their employer; the safety data sheet, including the order of information and how employee could obtain and use the appropriate hazard information:  a) Plant Facility, on or about and at times proceeding to February 19, 2014, employees engaged in wet painting, powder coating, aluminum extrusion processes and caustic room activities had not been trained on the new pictograms, safety data sheets and labeling for the chemicals that they were exposed to, such as but not limited to: sodium hydroxide, solvent paints, and powder coatings.