OSHA Inspection: ACME REFINING COMPANY

Issued

Jul 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 11, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact:  On or about June 3, 2014, in the facility, employees required to perform scrap metal oxy-fuel torch cutting were exposed to the hazard of burn injuries.  Protective equipment/clothing, such as fire-resistant head covering, apron, leggings and sleeves, was not provided and required to be used to protect against injury.

Issued

Jul 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 11, 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.  On or about June 3, 2014, in the facility, employees required to perform scrap metal oxy-fuel torch cutting were exposed to the hazard of burn injuries.  The employer did not verify, through a written certification, that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed.

Issued

Jul 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 11, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,800 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:  On or about June 3, 2014, in the facility, employees required to perform oxy-fuel torch cutting and spray painting were provided and used half-mask or full-face air-purifying respirators.  The employer did not establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures.

Issued

Jul 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 11, 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.  On or about June 3, 2014, in the facility, employees required to perform oxy-fuel torch cutting and spray painting were provided and used half-mask or full-face air-purifying respirators.  The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to each employee to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator.

Issued

Jul 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 11, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): The employer shall ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator is fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter:  On or about June 3, 2014, in the facility, employees required to perform oxy-fuel torch cutting and spray painting were provided and used half-mask or full-face tight-fitting air-purifying respirators.  The employer did not ensure that each employee was fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator and at least annually thereafter.

Issued

Jul 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 11, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1): The employer shall ensure that each employee can demonstrate knowledge of at least the following:  (i) Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator; (ii) What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are; (iii) How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions; (iv) How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator; (v) What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator; (vi) How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of the respirators; and (Vii) The general requirements of this section.  On or about June 3, 2014, in the facility, employees required to perform oxy-fuel torch cutting and spray painting were provided and used half-mask or full-face tight-fitting air-purifying respirators.  The employer did not ensure that each employee was provided with the required training.

Issued

Jul 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 11, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(g)(2): Eating and drinking areas. No employee shall be allowed to consume food or beverages in a toilet room nor in any area exposed to a toxic material:  On or about June 3, 2014, in the facility, employees required to perform scrap metal oxy-fuel torch cutting were allowed to consume food and/or beverages in yard shelters/huts where lead and other potentially toxic materials were present.

Issued

Jul 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 11, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(l)(1)(i): Each employer who has a workplace in which there is a potential exposure to airborne lead at any level shall inform employees of the content of Appendices A and B of this regulation:  On or about June 3, 2014, employees required to perform scrap metal oxy-fuel torch cutting were potentially exposed to airborne lead.  The employer did not inform each employee of the content of Appendices A and B of the regulation.

Issued

Jul 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 11, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(iv): Employers shall provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area.  Employee training shall include the details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, including an explanation of the labeling system and the material safety data sheet, and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information:  On or about June 3, 2014, employees required to perform oxy-fuel torch cutting and spray painting were potentially exposed to hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to, metal fumes and coatings.  Employees were not provided with updated training on new hazard information in safety data sheets (SDSs) and labels as described in the Revised Hazard Communication Standard HCS 2012.