OSHA Inspection: BLUE RIDGE MANUFACTURING, LLC

Issued

May 2, 2014

Abate by

Jun 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,260 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.94(a)(3)(i)(e): Slit abrasive-resistant baffles were not installed in multiple sets at all small access openings where dust might escape, and  were not inspected regularly and replaced when needed:     Blue Ridge Manufacturing - Employees were abrasive blasting inside a room. The room had openings at the top of the walls and around the double doors where dust was escaping, on or about 3/11/14

Issued

May 2, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,940 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

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:     Blue Ridge Manufacturing - Employees working in the finishing/paint building were exposed to noise between 89-96 dbA. Initial noise monitoring to determine the noise levels employees were exposed to was not developed and implemented, on or about 3/11/14

Issued

May 2, 2014

Abate by

Jun 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

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) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing building, an employee abrasive blasting was exposed to noise levels at a time weighted average (TWA) of 94.1 dbA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 478 minutes. Audiometric testing was not performed, on or about 3/12/14.   b) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing building, an employee under coating was exposed to noise levels at a time weighted average (TWA) of 89.4 dbA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 466 minutes. Audiometric testing was not performed, on or about 3/12/14.   c) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing building, an employee powder coating was exposed to noise levels at a time weighted average (TWA) of 89.7 dbA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 443 minutes. Audiometric testing was not performed, on or about 3/12/14.   d) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing building, an employee performing prep work was exposed to an average noise level of 96.1 dbA. The exposure was derived from a reading taken over 58 minutes. Audiometric testing was not performed, on or about 3/12/14.

Issued

May 2, 2014

Abate by

May 29, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

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) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing building, an employee abrasive blasting was exposed to noise levels at a time weighted average (TWA) of 94.1 dbA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 478 minutes. A training program was not instituted, on or about 3/12/14.    b) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing building, an employee under coating was exposed to noise levels at a time weighted average (TWA) of 89.4 dbA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 466 minutes. A training program was not instituted, on or about 3/12/14.    c) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing building, an employee powder coating was exposed to noise levels at a time weighted average (TWA) of 89.7 dbA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 443 minutes.  A training program was not instituted, on or about 3/12/14.    d) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing building, an employee performing prep work was exposed to an average noise level of 96.1 dbA. The exposure was derived from a reading taken over 58 minutes.  A training program was not instituted, on or about 3/12/14.

Issued

May 2, 2014

Abate by

Aug 15, 2014

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(h)(12): Electrostatic spray area(s) were not provided with automatic sprinkler protection or other approved automatic extinguishing equipment     Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing/paint building, employees were powder coating. The powder coating booth was not equipped with an automatic sprinkler protection or other automatic extinguishing equipment, on or about 3/11/14.

Issued

May 2, 2014

Abate by

Jun 19, 2014

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(i)(8): The electrical equipment was not interlock with the ventilation of the spraying area that the equipment could not be operated unless the ventilation fans were in operation:    Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing/paint building, where employees were powder coating, the electrical equipment was not interlocked with the ventilation system, on or about 3/11/14.

Issued

May 2, 2014

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(l)(4)(iii): No Smoking signs in large letters on contrasting color background were not conspicuously posted at all powder coating areas and powder storage rooms:    Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing/paint building, where employees were powder coating, "No smoking" signs were not posted in the area, on or about 3/11/14.

Issued

May 2, 2014

Abate by

May 29, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,260 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE):     Blue Ridge Manufacturing - Employees working in the manufacturing of steel truck trailers handle hazardous substances such as, but not limited to, asphalt under coat, steel, welding gases, welding rods, degreaser and powder paint. A complete PPE hazard assessment of the workplace was not performed, on or about 3/11/14.

Issued

May 2, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): Protective eye equipment was not required where there was a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented by such equipment:   Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing/paint building, employees were spraying a degreaser containing sodium hydroxide, which was classified as corrosive. Chemical splash goggles were not provided and required, on or about 3/11/14.

Issued

May 2, 2014

Abate by

Jun 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(ii): The written respiratory protection program did not contain provisions for medical evaluations of employees required to use respirators:      a) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing/paint building, employees powder coating were required to use a half mask, negative pressure respirator for protection against dust. The written program did not contain provisions for medical evaluations, on or about 3/11/14.     b) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing/paint building, employees abrasive blasting were required to use an air supply blasting helmet for protection against dust. The written program did not contain provisions for medical evaluations, on or about 3/11/14.

Issued

May 2, 2014

Abate by

Jun 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(iii): The written respiratory protection program did not contain fit test procedures for tight-fitting respirators:   a) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing/paint building, employees powder coating were required to use a half mask, negative pressure respirator for protection against dust. Fit test procedures were not included in the written program, on or about 3/11/14.    b) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing/paint building, employees abrasive blasting were required to use an air supply blasting helmet for protection against dust. Fit test procedures were not included in the written program, on or about 3/11/14.

Issued

May 2, 2014

Abate by

Jun 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator:  a) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing/paint building, employees powder coating were required to use a half mask, negative pressure respirator for protection against dust. Fit testing was not conducted, on or about 3/11/14.     b) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing/paint building, employees abrasive blasting were required to use an air supply blasting helmet for protection against dust. Fit testing was not conducted, on or about 3/11/14.

Issued

May 2, 2014

Abate by

Jun 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(c): An employee(s) was exposed to nuisance dust in excess of the 8-hour time weighted average limits (TWA) of 15 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) listed in Table Z-3:   Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing/paint building, an employee powder coating was exposed to nuisance dust at 92.7 mg/m3, 6.2 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. The sample was taken over 445 minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of 35 minutes, on or about 3/12/14.

Issued

May 2, 2014

Abate by

Jan 27, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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):   Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing/paint building, an employee powder coating was exposed to nuisance dust at 92.7 mg/m3, 6.2 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not implemented to achieve compliance with the PEL, on or about 3/12/14.    General methods of control applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to the following:   1.  Increase ventilation inside the booth. 2.  Explore the possibility of having the employee powder coating outside of the spray booth.  However, other methods of abatement may be equally, or more appropriate.  Ultimate responsibility for determining the most appropriate abatement method rests with the employer given its superior knowledge of the specific conditions at its worksite.  Abatement Schedule Step 1 -   A written detailed plan of abatement shall be submitted to the Area Director outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measures to control employee exposures to hazardous substances 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: (4)  Testing and acceptance 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. 90-day progress reports are required during the abatement period. Step 2: Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and /or administrative controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance.

Issued

May 2, 2014

Abate by

Jun 19, 2014

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:     a) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing/paint building, employees powder coating were required to use a half mask, negative pressure respirator for protection against dust. A medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator was not performed, on or about 3/11/14.       b) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing/paint building, employees abrasive blasting were required to use an air supply blasting helmet for protection against dust. A medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator was not performed, on or about 3/11/14.

Issued

May 2, 2014

Abate by

Jun 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1): The employer did not ensure that each employee can demonstrate knowledge of items in (i)-(vii)   a) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing/paint building, employees powder coating were required to use a half mask, negative pressure respirator for protection against dust. The employer did not ensure that the employees demonstrated knowledge of the proper use, procedures for maintenance and storage, and how to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators among other information, on or about 3/11/14.   b) Blue Ridge Manufacturing - In the finishing/paint building, employees abrasive blasting were required to use an air supply blasting helmet for protection against dust. The employer did not ensure that the employees demonstrated knowledge of the proper use, procedures for maintenance and storage, and how to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators among other information, on or about 3/11/14.

Issued

May 2, 2014

Abate by

May 29, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,520 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:     Blue Ridge Manufacturing - Employees working in the manufacturing of steel truck trailers handle hazardous substances such as, but not limited to, asphalt under coat, steel, welding gases, welding rods, degreaser and powder paint. A written hazard communication program had not been developed and implemented, on or about 3/11/14.

Issued

May 2, 2014

Abate by

Jun 19, 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:   Blue Ridge Manufacturing - Employees working in the manufacturing of steel truck trailers handle hazardous substances such as, but not limited to, asphalt under coat, steel, welding gases, welding rods, degreaser and powder paint. Information and training in accordance with the standard was not conducted, on or about 3/11/14.