OSHA Inspection: BECKER SPECIALTY CORPORATION

Issued

Dec 19, 2014

Abate by

Jan 9, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,920 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(i): "General." Adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors. Sources of ignition include but are not limited to open flames; lightning; smoking; cutting and welding; hot surfaces; frictional heat; static, electrical, and mechanical sparks; spontaneous ignition, including heat-producing chemical reactions; and radiant heat.    Employees were exposed to burn hazards, while cleaning out paint batch tanks with solvent, due to the tank being propped up to allow the contents to drain during cleaning activities.  When the tanks are propped up during cleaning activities, it creates frictional heat between the tank lid and the shaft and the employer did not ensure adequate precautions were taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors.    Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Dec 19, 2014

Abate by

Jan 23, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(1): The employer did not ensure that employee(s) required to use a tight-fitting facepiece respirator passed the appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT):    Employees were exposed to pulmonary stress when required to wear a tight-fitting full face respirator, while cleaning out paint batch tanks with solvent, and the employer did not ensure the employee was fit tested to wear the tight-fitting full face respirator.       Abatement certification is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).