OSHA Inspection: A-1 SPECIALIZED SERVICES & SUPPLIES, INC.

Issued

Sep 2, 2014

Abate by

Sep 20, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,975 · Current $2,083 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:   a)  A-1 Specialized Services & Supplies - A chop saw operator working at the left chop saw station was exposed to continuous noise at 99.5% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 89.9 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 444 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 36 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not develop and implement a representative monitoring program for those employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about July 2, 2014.   b)  A-1 Specialized Services & Supplies - A plasma cutter operator working at an outside plasma cutting station labeled #2 was exposed to continuous noise at 101.6% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 89.9 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 430 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 50 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not develop and implement a representative monitoring program for those employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about July 2, 2014.      Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.      ABATEMENT NOTE:  Employees shall be provided copies of 29 CFR 1910.95 standard and post a copy in the workplace.   Employees shall be informed of the following:  1. The effects of noise on hearing.  2. The purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care.  3. The purpose of audiometric testing and an explanation of the test procedures.

Issued

Sep 2, 2014

Abate by

Sep 20, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

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)  A-1 Specialized Services & Supplies - A chop saw operator working at the left chop saw station was exposed to continuous noise at 99.5% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 89.9 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 444 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 36 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not provide audiometric testing for an employee exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about July 2, 2014.  a)  A-1 Specialized Services & Supplies - A plasma cutter operator working at an outside plasma cutting station labeled #2 was exposed to continuous noise at 101.6% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 89.9 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 430 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 50 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not provide audiometric testing for an employee exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about July 2, 2014.     Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Sep 2, 2014

Abate by

Sep 20, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:   a)  A-1 Specialized Services & Supplies  A chop saw operator working at the left chop saw station was exposed to continuous noise at 99.5% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 89.9 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 444 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 36 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not institute a training program for employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about July 2, 2014.     b)  A-1 Specialized Services & Supplies  A plasma cutter operator working at an outside plasma cutting station labeled #2 was exposed to continuous noise at 101.6% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 89.9 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 430 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 50 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not institute a training program for employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about July 2, 2014.     Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Sep 2, 2014

Abate by

Sep 20, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,975 · Current $2,083 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(c): Employees were exposed to an airborne concentration of chromium (VI) which exceeded 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air, as an 8-hour time-weighted average:   a)  A-1 Specialized Services - A plasma torch operator burning on catalytic converters was exposed to an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) airborne concentration of 18.3 micrograms per cubic meter of air of hexavalent chromium (CrVI), on or about July 18, 2014.  This level is 3.66 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.  This exposure occurred over a 378 minute sampling period for which zero exposure was assumed for the 102 minutes not sampled to complete the 480 minutes of an 8-hour TWA.     Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Sep 2, 2014

Abate by

Jan 3, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(f)(1): The employer did not use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to chromium (VI) to or below the permissible exposure limit:  a)  A-1 Specialized Services  A plasma torch operator burning on catalytic converters at work station #5 attached to dust collector #3 was exposed to an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) airborne concentration of 18.3 micrograms per cubic meter of air of hexavalent chromium (CrVI), on or about July 18, 2014.  This level is 3.66 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.      Feasible means of abatement include but are not limited to :      1.  Provide increased rates of ventilation at the torch cutting stations to capture more welding fumes.     2.  Use work practice controls to increase distance employees are from cutting point of the torch.      ABATEMENT NORMALLY WILL BE MULTISTEP AS FOLLOWS:

Issued

Sep 2, 2014

Abate by

Sep 20, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 06890691

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(d)(1): The employer with a workplace or work operation covered by this standard did not determine the 8-hour time-weighted average exposure for each employee exposed to chromium (VI):    a)  A-1 Specialized Services  A plasma torch operator burning on catalytic converters was exposed to an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) airborne concentration of 18.3 micrograms per cubic meter of air of hexavalent chromium (CrVI), on or about July 18, 2014.  This level is 3.66 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.  The employer did not conduct initial monitoring to determine the 8-hour TWA of hexavalent chromium (CrVI) for each employee, on or about July 18, 2014.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Sep 2, 2014

Abate by

Sep 20, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,975 · Current $2,083 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(e)(1): The employer did not establish a regulated area wherever an employee's exposure to airborne concentrations of chromium (VI) was, or could be reasonably be expected to be, in excess of the permissible exposure limit:   a)  A-1 Specialized Services  A plasma torch operator burning on catalytic converters was exposed to an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) airborne concentration of 18.3 micrograms per cubic meter of air of hexavalent chromium (CrVI), on or about July 18, 2014.  This level is 3.66 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.  The employer did not establish a regulated area as required.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Sep 2, 2014

Abate by

Sep 20, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,975 · Current $2,083 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0691

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(k)(1)(i)(A): The employer did not make medical surveillance available for all employees who were or could be occupationally exposed to chromium (VI) at or above the action level for 30 or more days a year:   a)  A-1 Specialized Services - A plasma torch operator burning on catalytic converters was exposed to an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) airborne concentration of 18.3 micrograms per cubic meter of air of hexavalent chromium (CrVI), on or about July 18, 2014.  This level is 3.66 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.  This exposure occurred over a 378 minute sampling period for which zero exposure was assumed for the 102 minutes not sampled to complete the 480 minutes of an 8-hour TWA.     b)  A-1 Specialized Services  On or about July 18, 2014, a plasma torch operator burning on catalytic converters was exposed to an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) airborne concentration of 4.6 micrograms per cubic meter of air of hexavalent chromium (CrVI).  This level is 1.8 times the Action level of 2.5 micrograms per cubic meter, and the employer did not conduct medical surveillance when employees were at or above the action level 30 days or more per year.     Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Sep 2, 2014

Abate by

Sep 20, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,975 · Current $2,083 Reduced

Hazardous substances 06890691

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(l)(2)(i):  The employer did not provide training and information to ensure that employees could demonstrate knowledge of 29 CFR 1910.1026, and the purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program:   a)  A-1 Specialized Services  On or about July 18, 2014, plasma torch operators were exposed to hexavalent chromium (CrVI) and the employer did not provide information and training of the contents of the hexavalent chromium standard to include, but not limited to monitoring, regulated work areas, health hazards, medical surveillance, and hygiene practices.       Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement

Issued

Sep 2, 2014

Abate by

Sep 20, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,975 · Current $2,083 Reduced

Hazardous substances 06891520P211

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:      a)  A-1 Specialized Services & Supplies - Employees are exposed to toxic metal fumes, such as but not limited to, hexavalent chromium, iron oxide, and platinum while plasma cutting catalytic converters, and the employer did not develop, implement and maintain at the workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g) and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met, on or about June 27, 2014.         Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.       ABATEMENT NOTE: A written program shall include descriptions of how the criteria for the following will be met:    1.  Labeling, pictograms, and other forms of warning;  2.  Safety Data Sheets;  3.  Employee information and training.         Additionally, a list of hazardous chemicals known to be present in the workplace must be compiled.  Methods used to inform employees of the hazards associated with non-routine tasks and the informing of contractors of workplace hazards, including a description of the labeling system used in the facility and of the availability of material safety data sheets, must also be addressed.  The written program must be made available upon request.

Issued

Sep 2, 2014

Abate by

Sep 20, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 06891520P211

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(1): The employer did not have a material safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical in use:   a)  A-1 Specialized Services & Supplies - Employees are exposed to toxic metal fumes, such as but not limited to, hexavalent chromium, iron oxide, and platinum while plasma cutting catalytic converters, and the employer did not have a safety data sheet for metals upon which they burn, on or about June 27, 2014.      Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Sep 2, 2014

Abate by

Sep 20, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 06891520P211

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)  A-1 Specialized Services & Supplies - Employees are exposed to toxic metal fumes, such as but not limited to, hexavalent chromium and platinum while plasma cutting catalytic converters, and the employer did not provided effective information and training as specified by the elements under 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1) through (h)(3) on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard was introduced into their work area, on or about June 27, 2014.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.    ABATEMENT NOTE: Employees shall be informed of the following: 1. The requirements of this section; 2. Any operations where hazardous chemicals are present; 3. The location and availability of the written Hazard Communication Program, list(s) of hazardous chemicals and Safety Data Sheets.    Employee training shall include at least: 1. Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of hazardous chemical in the work area. 2. The physical, health, simple asphyxiation, combustible dust, and pyrophoric gas hazards, as well as hazards not otherwise classified, of the chemicals in the work area. 3. The measures employees can take to protect themselves such as specific procedures and personal, protective equipment to be used. 4. The details of the employer's Hazard Communication Program including an explanation of the labels received on shipped containers and the workplace labeling system used by the employer; Safety Data Sheets, including the order of information and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information.