OSHA Inspection: WEST HARTFORD STAIRS & CABINETS, INC.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,170 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(6): At least annually after obtaining the baseline audiogram, the employer did not obtain a new audiogram for each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels :  Milling Area: On or about May 24, 2014, and at times prior to, the employer failed to ensure that employees exposed to or above the 8-hour time weighted average of 85 decibels received an annual audiogram after obtaining a baseline audiogram.  On July 23, 2014, an employee working in the milling area was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 82.35% of the permissible exposure level (PEL) dose. The equivalent dBA for 82.35% of the dose is approximately 88.5 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level. The monitoring was conducted for 458 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 22 minutes of the day.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Dec 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,170 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

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:    Milling Area: On or about July 23, 2014, and at times prior to, the employer failed to train employees exposed at or above the 8-hour time weighted average of 85 decibels on the following:    (i) The effects of noise on hearing,  (ii) The purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various  types, and instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care; and  (iii)The purpose of audiometric  testing, and an explanation of the test procedures.     On July 23, 2014, an employee working in the milling area was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 82.35% of the permissible exposure level (PEL) dose. The equivalent dBA for 82.35% of the dose is approximately 88.5 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level. The monitoring was conducted for 458 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 22 minutes of the day.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Nov 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,302 Reduced

Hazardous substances C326

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):   Stair Department - On or about July 23, 2014, and at times prior to, the employer failed to complete a hazard assessment to determine the proper personal protective equipment  for employee use when employees worked with chemicals such as, but not limited to, Scotch-Weld, EASY 250, which contains p,p'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and is used to glue returns on the treads of steps.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Nov 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances C326

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): The employer did not select and require employee(s) to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands were exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasion; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.  Stair Department - On or about July 23, 2014, the employer failed to require employees who worked with Scotch-Weld, EASY 250, which contains p,p'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and is a heated treatment used to glue returns on to the treads of steps, to wear hand protection that protected employees from the chemical and thermal hazard of the chemical.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Nov 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,170 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(d)(2): The employer did not perform initial monitoring to determine each employee's exposure to methylene chloride:  Cabinet Department: On or about June 12, 2014, and at times prior to, the employer failed to perform initial monitoring to determine each employees exposure to methylene chloride, when employees used 3M Scotch-Weld Hi-Strength Non- Flammable 98NF Cylinder Spray Adhesive, which contains methylene chloride, to bond together wood cabinets parts.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Nov 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,736 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(i)(2): It was reasonably foreseeable that an employee's eyes may contact solutions containing 0.1 percent or greater methylene chloride and the employer did not provide appropriate eyewash facilities within the immediate work area for emergency use:  Cabinet Department: On or about June 12, 2014, and at times prior to, the employer failed to make available an appropriate eyewash facility within the immediate work area for emergency use when employees sprayed 3M Scotch-Weld Hi-Strength Non- Flammable 98NF Cylinder Spray Adhesive, which contains methylene chloride, to bond together wood cabinets parts.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Nov 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,170 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(k)(1)(iii): The employer did not include methylene chloride in the hazard communication program established to comply with hazard communication standard (HCS) (1910.1200) and did not ensure each employee was trained in accordance with the requirements of HCS and paragraph (l) of this section:  Cabinet Department: On or about June 12, 2014, and at times prior to, the employer failed to include methylene chloride in the hazard communication program and ensure each employee exposed to methylene chloride was trained on the hazards associated with methylene chloride, when employees used 3M Scotch-Weld Hi- Strength Non- Flammable 98NF Cylinder Spray Adhesive, which contains methylene chloride, to bond together wood cabinets parts.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Nov 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(l)(1): The employer did not provide information and training for each affected employee prior to or at the time of initial assignment to a job involving potential exposure to methylene chloride:  Cabinet Department: On or about June 12, 2014, and at times prior to, the employer failed to train each employee exposed to methylene chloride on the hazards associated with methylene chloride, when employees used 3M Scotch-Weld Hi- Strength Non- Flammable 98NF Cylinder Spray Adhesive, which contains methylene chloride, to bond together wood cabinets parts.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Nov 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances C326

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(ii): Employee training did not include the physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area:  Stair Department: On or about July 23, 2014, and at times prior to, the employer failed to train employees on the physical and health hazards of  Scotch-Weld, EASY 250, which contains p,p'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and is used to glue returns on the treads of steps.

Issued

Sep 30, 2014

Abate by

Nov 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1730

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:  Facility - On or about June 12, 2014, and at times prior to, the employer failed to train employees on the new pictograms and associated hazards found on chemicals and their associated safety data sheet. This training was required to be completed by December 10, 2013. Employees worked with chemicals, including, but not limited to, p,p'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI)and methylene chloride.