OSHA Inspection: ACE IRON & METAL COMPANY

Issued

Nov 18, 2014

Abate by

Dec 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $3,234 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(c)(1): The employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to lead at concentrations greater than fifty micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 ug/m(3)) averaged over an 8-hour period.      a) On August 26, 2014, a Torcher, using a propane and oxygen torch to cut ferrous metal, was exposed to lead at an 8-hour time weighted average of 160.0 micrograms per cubic meter. This exposure was approximately 3.2 times the permissible exposure limit of 50.0 micrograms of lead per cubic meter. The 8-hour time weighted average was measured over a period of 426 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the 54 minutes not sampled.     b) On August 26, 2014, a Torcher using a propane and oxygen torch to cut ferrous metal, was exposed to lead at an 8-hour time weighted average of 177.0 micrograms per cubic meter. This exposure was approximately 3.5 times the permissible exposure limit of 50.0 micrograms of lead per cubic meter. The 8-hour time weighted average was measured over a period of 471 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the 9 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Nov 18, 2014

Abate by

Dec 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $3,234 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(e)(1)(i): Where any employee is exposed to lead above the permissible exposure limit for more than 30 days per year, the employer shall implement engineering and work practice controls (including administrative controls) to reduce and maintain employee exposure to lead in accordance with the implementation schedule in Table I below, except to the extent that the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible. Wherever the engineering and work practice controls which can be instituted are not sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the permissible exposure limit, the employer shall nonetheless use them to reduce exposures to the lowest feasible level and shall supplement them by the use of respiratory protection which complies with the requirements of paragraph (f) of this section.    a) On August 26, 2014, two Torchers, using propane and oxygen torches to cut ferrous metal, were exposed to lead at an 8-hour time weighted average that was approximately 3.2 to 3.5 times the permissible exposure limit of 50.0 micrograms per cubic meter of lead. The employer did not have a written and implemented lead compliance program to reduce exposures to or below the permissible exposure limit for lead.

Issued

Nov 18, 2014

Abate by

Dec 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $3,234 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(1): Provision and use. If an employee is exposed to lead above the PEL, without regard to the use of respirators or where the possibility of skin or eye irritation exists, the employer shall provide at no cost to the employee and assure that the employee uses appropriate protective work clothing and equipment such as, but not limited to:    29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(1)(i): Coveralls or similar full-body work clothing;    a) On August 26, 2014, two Torchers, using propane and oxygen torches to cut ferrous metal, were exposed to lead at an 8-hour time weighted average that was approximately 3.2 to 3.5 times the permissible exposure limit of 50.0 micrograms of lead per cubic meter air. The torchers provided their own clothing that included, but was not limited to, blue jeans, tee shirt, fire resistant coat, and welding leathers that were worn or taken home at the end of the work day exposing employees to lead hazards.

Issued

Nov 18, 2014

Abate by

Dec 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(1): Provision and use. If an employee is exposed to lead above the PEL, without regard to the use of respirators or where the possibility of skin or eye irritation exists, the employer shall provide at no cost to the employee and assure that the employee uses appropriate protective work clothing and equipment such as, but not limited to:  29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(1)(ii): Gloves, hats, and shoes or disposable shoe coverlets; and  a) On August 26, 2014, two Torchers, using propane and oxygen torches to cut ferrous metal, were exposed to lead at an 8-hour time weighted average that was approximately 3.2 to 3.5 times the permissible exposure limit of 50.0 micrograms of lead per cubic meter. The torchers provided their own head covers and boots that were worn or taken home at the end of the work day exposing employees to lead hazards.

Issued

Nov 18, 2014

Abate by

Dec 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(1): Provision and use. If an employee is exposed to lead above the PEL, without regard to the use of respirators or where the possibility of skin or eye irritation exists, the employer shall provide at no cost to the employee and assure that the employee uses appropriate protective work clothing and equipment such as, but not limited to:  29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(1)(iii): Face shields, vented goggles, or other appropriate protective equipment which complies with 1910.133 of this Part.  a) On August 26, 2014, two Torchers, using propane and oxygen torches to cut ferrous metal, were exposed to lead at an 8-hour time weighted average that was approximately 3.2 to 3.5 times the permissible exposure limit of 50.0 micrograms of lead per cubic meter air. A torcher was not provided a face shield exposing the employee to the possibility of skin or eye irritation caused by exposure to lead fumes.

Issued

Nov 18, 2014

Abate by

Dec 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $3,234 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(i)(1): The employer shall assure that in areas where employees are exposed to lead above the PEL, without regard to the use of respirators, food or beverage is not present or consumed, tobacco products are not present or used, and cosmetics are not applied, except in change rooms, lunchrooms, and showers required under paragraphs (i)(2) - through (i)(4) of this section.    a) On August 26, 2014, a Torcher, using a propane and oxygen torch to cut ferrous metal, was exposed to lead at an 8-hour time weighted average that was approximately 3.5 times the permissible exposure limit of 50.0 micrograms of lead per cubic meter air. The employee ate lunch in their personal vehicle parked at the worksite exposing the employee to lead contamination.      b) On August 26, 2014, a Torcher, using a propane and oxygen torch to cut ferrous metal, was exposed to lead at an 8-hour time weighted average that was approximately 3.2 times the permissible exposure limit of 50.0 micrograms of lead per cubic meter air. The employee ate lunch and smoked a cigarette while sitting on the ground at the work site exposing the employee to lead contamination.

Issued

Nov 18, 2014

Abate by

Dec 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $3,234 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

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.    a) At the establishment, employees exposed to lead when using propane and oxygen torches to cut ferrous metal, had not been informed of the content of 1910.1025 Appendix A and B.

Issued

Nov 18, 2014

Abate by

Dec 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(l)(1)(ii): The employer shall train each employee who is subject to exposure to lead at or above the action level, or for whom the possibility of skin or eye irritation exists, in accordance with the requirements of this section. The employer shall institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program.  a) At the establishment, the employer had not ensured that employees exposed to skin and eye irritation from cutting fumes containing lead, when using propane and oxygen torches to cut ferrous metal, had received training on the lead standard 29 CFR 1910.1025.

Issued

Nov 18, 2014

Abate by

Dec 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,310 · Current $1,386 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(d)(2)(i): The employer shall perform initial monitoring to determine the 8-hour TWA exposure for each employee on the basis of a sufficient number of personal breathing zone air samples to accurately characterize full shift exposure on each shift, for each job classification, in each work area. Where an employer does representative sampling instead of sampling all employees in order to meet this requirement, the employer shall sample the employee(s) expected to have the highest chromium (VI) exposures.    a) On August 26, 2014, a Torcher, using a propane and oxygen torch to cut stainless steel, was exposed to chromium VI at an 8-hour time weighted average of 0.001 milligrams per cubic meter air that was approximately 20 percent of the permissible exposure limit of 0.005 milligrams per cubic meter air. The employer had not performed initial monitoring to determine employee exposure to Chromium VI.

Issued

Nov 18, 2014

Abate by

Dec 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,310 · Current $1,386 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employers shall provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area. Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (e.g., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and material safety data sheets.    a) At the facility an employee was exposed to chromium VI at an 8-hour time weighted average of 1.0 microgram per cubic meter air that was approximately 20 percent of the permissible exposure limit of 5.0 micrograms per cubic meter air. The employee had not received the training and information required to protect themself from the hazards of the chemicals.

Issued

Nov 18, 2014

Abate by

Dec 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(l)(2)(i): The employer shall ensure that each employee can demonstrate knowledge of at least the following:  29 CFR 1910.1026(l)(2)(i)(A): The contents of this section; and  a) At the facility an employee was exposed to chromium VI at an 8-hour time weighted average of 1.0 microgram per cubic meter air that was approximately 20 percent of the permissible exposure limit of 5.0 micrograms per cubic meter air. The employee had not received the training and information on 29 CFR 1910.1026 required to protect him from the hazards of the chemical.

Issued

Nov 18, 2014

Abate by

Dec 21, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(l)(2)(i): The employer shall ensure that each employee can demonstrate knowledge of at least the following:  29 CFR 1910.1026(l)(2)(i)(B): The purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program required by paragraph (k) of this section.  a) At the facility an employee was exposed to chromium VI at an 8-hour time weighted average of 1.0 microgram per cubic meter air that was approximately 20 percent of the permissible exposure limit of 5.0 micrograms per cubic meter air. The employee had not received the training and information on the medical surveillance program required to protect him from the hazards of the chemicals.