OSHA Inspection: BISON LABORATORIES, INC.

Issued

2014-09-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-10-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2100.00 · Current $1050.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:    a.) Kohler Street Pool, Tonawanda, NY - On or about 8/13/14 a chemical delivery driver, delivering >330 gallons of sodium hypochlorite, a corrosive, to the chemical delivery system/storage system of the pool, sustained chemical burns when the valve of the 330 gallon tote broke off, releasing the sodium hypochlorite and exposing his feet, legs, and body to the sodium hypochlorite.  The appropriate protective equipment including goggles, face-shield, chemical resistant boots and gloves were not used when necessary wherever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered.    ABATEMENT CERTiFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

2014-09-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-10-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2100.00 · Current $1050.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not 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:    a.) Bison Laboratories, Inc. production area - On or about 8/18/14, Remedy Staffing temporary employees work in the production area handling chemicals, such as but not limited to, sodium hypochlorite, a corrosive, during the dispensing and filling operations.  Employees sustain minor burns on their arms and face.  The employer did not 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.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

2014-09-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-10-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2100.00 · Current $1050.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation:    a) Kohler Pool - On or about 8/13/14, an employee delivering and pumping out ~ 330 gallons of sodium hypochlorite, a corrosive, was splashed by the liquid when the valve broke on the tote.  The employee was not wearing goggles and/or a face shield with tight-fitting safety glasses at the time of the incident, which could lead to chemical burns to the eyes ad/or face.  The employer does not ensure that each affected employee uses the appropriate eye and/or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemical, acids of caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.    b.) Bison Laboratories, Inc. production - On or about 9/16/14, an employee was working in the production area filling containers with sodium hypochlorite.  The employees wears prescription glasses with a disposable plastic side shield that does not appropriately shield/protect his eyes from splashes of corrosive liquids.  The employer does not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye and/or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids of caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors or potentially injurious light radiation.    c.) Bison Laboratories, Inc. production area - Or oar about 9/16/14, an employee was working in the production area filling containers with sodium hypochlorite.  The employee wears prescription glasses, but removes the prescription glasses and wears a wrap-around safety glasses.  The employer does not require the employee uses an alternative that protects the employee's eyes while allowing the employee to wear his prescription glasses.  The employer does not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye and/or face protection when exposed to eye and/or face hazards fro flying particle, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acid or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

2014-09-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-10-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2100.00 · Current $1050.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:    a.) Bison Laboratories, Inc. delivery truck PPE storage - On or about 8/18/14. delivery truck drivers are provided and can wear half face, elastomeric respiratory protection with 'triple stack' cartridges for  acid gas, organic vapors, and particulates.  Employees deliver and are required to mitigate spills (HazMat) of chemicals, such as but not limited to: sodium hypochlorite.  The employer has not developed and implemented a written Respiratory Protection Program for employees who are provided and be required to use the respiratory protection.    b.) Bison Laboratories, Inc. production area - on or about 8/19/14, production employees are provided with and have worn half face, elastomeric respiratory protection with 'triple stack' cartridges for acid gas, organic vapors and particulates during the transfer of sodium hypochlorite into containers; bottles to 330 gallon totes.  The employer has not developed and implemented a written Respiratory Protection Program for employee who are provided and required to use the respiratory protection.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

2014-09-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-10-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2100.00 · Current $1050.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(6)(i): The employer did not obtain from the physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP)  a written recommendation regarding the employee's ability to use the respirator:    a) Bison Laboratories, Inc. - On or about 8/18/14, the employer provides elastomeric, half face respiratory protection for delivery truck drivers and production employees while they work with and fill/decant sodium hypochlorite.  The employer did not obtain a medical provider's written recommendation regarding the employee's ability to use a respirator.    b.) Bison Laboratories, Inc. - On or about 9/16/14, employees fill a variety of different containers with sodium hypochlorite solution and for which the employer provide and the employees wear half face respirators, especially in the cooler weather when doors are closed in the production area and the general ventilation is reduced.  The employer did not obtain a medical provider's written recommendation regarding the employees' ability to use a respirator.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

2014-09-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-10-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2100.00 · Current $1050.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(3): Training was not provided prior to requiring employees to use a respirator in the workplace:    a) Bison Laboratories, Inc. - On or about 8/18/14, employees such as chemical delivery truck drivers and production workers are provided and use on a periodic basis, a half face, elastomeric respirator with cartridges to use while working with and around chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite.  The employer had not provided training prior to employees using the respiratory protection.      ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

2014-09-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-11-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2100.00 · Current $1050.00 Reduced

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.) Bison Laboratories, Inc. - On or about 9/16/14,  temporary employees are used to help with production during the pre-summer and summer months and can be exposed to/have hazardous chemicals in their work area, such as sodium hypochlorite and quaternary ammonium solution.  All temporary employees working in production are 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 is introduced into their work area.     ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

2014-09-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-10-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $700.00 · Current $350.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.29(b)(1): 29 CFR 1904.29(b)(1):  The Log of all Work-Related Injures and Illnesses (OSHA Form 300) and/or the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (OSHA Form 300-A), and/or equivalent forms were not recorded in detail required by the respective forms.     a.) Bison Laboratories, Inc. - On or about 8/15/13, a temporary employee sustained a lower back strain that resulted in 73 days away from work, prescription(s) and restriction for work.  The employer had not recorded the injury on a 2013 OSHA 300 log.  The employer did not have an OSHA 300 log for the calendar year of 2013.    b.) Bison Laboratories, Inc.  - On or about 8/13/14, the employer had not developed a Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (OSHA 300A) for the calendar year 2013.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

2014-09-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-10-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.145(c)(3): Safety instruction sign(s) were not used where there was a need for general instructions and suggestions relative to safety measure(s):  a.) Bison Laboratories Production Area - On or about 8/18/14, employees work with corrosive liquids on a daily basis, filling containers, packaging the filled containers and moving product throughout the production and warehouse/shipping area.  The employer has a plumber safety emergency shower and eyewash  located behind the large storage tanks; however, its location is not clearly identified through the use of safety instruction signs.  b.) Bison Laboratories production Area - On or about 8/18/14, employees work with corrosive liquids on a daily basis, filling containers, packaging the filled containers and moving product throughout the production and warehouse/shipping area.  The employer has gravity-fed eyewash stations located in the production area, their locations are not clearly identified through the use of safety instruction signs.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

2014-09-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-10-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(iii): An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance was not being conducted at least once every three years:  a.) Bison Laboratories, Inc. - On or about 9/16/14, employees operate powered industrial trucks, such as the Clark, to move materials and product through the production and warehouse/shipping areas.  The employer last provided (documented) training in March 2011.  The employer has not provided refresher training/ an evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance within three years.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED