OSHA Inspection: ELM-CAP INDUSTRIES, INC.

Issued

Sep 19, 2014

Abate by

Nov 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(2): Every runway was not be guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) on all open sides 4 feet or more above floor or ground level:  Mixer Area:  On, or about, August 15, 2014, fall protection such as, but not limited to, a guardrail system or personal fall restraint/arrest system, was not provided for use when employees accessed the mixer to clean out concrete and to coat the interior of the mixer with release agent.

Issued

Sep 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(d):  Fixed stairways did not have a minimum width of 22 inches:  Mixer Area:  On, or about, August 15, 2014, the fixed stairs provided on the concrete mixer were measured to be 21 inches wide.  In addition, a guard provided on the side of the mixer encroached on the headroom of the stairs.

Issued

Sep 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(h): Standard railings were not provided on the open sides of all exposed stairways and stair platforms:  Mixer Area:  On, or about, August 15, 2014, a handrail was not provided on the left side, descending of the fixed stairs leading to the elevated work platform.  A gap was left between the stairs and machine frame that was large enough for an employee to fall into.

Issued

Sep 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(2)(ii)(b)(2): The quantity of liquid that was located outside of an inside storage room or storage cabinet in any one fire area of a building exceeded 120 gallons of Category 2, 3, or 4 flammable liquids in containers:   Epoxy Prep/Storage Area:  On, or about, August 15, 2014, approximately 230 gallons of Category 3 and Category 4 flammable liquids (Unidex Plus Part 1, Unidex Plus Part 2 and Sherwin Williams Paint Thinner) were stored outside of a properly designed flammable storage room or flammable storage cabinets.

Issued

Sep 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(i):  Adequate precautions were not taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors:   Epoxy Prep/Storage Area:  On, or about, August 15, 2014, drums and containers of Category 3 and Category 4 flammable liquids (Unidex Plus Part 1, Unidex Plus Part 2 and Sherwin Williams Paint Thinner) were not grounded.   Abatement Note:  Containers of flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 degrees F must be bonded to secondary containers and tanks during dispensing/transferring.

Issued

Sep 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(2)(iv)(a): Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 degrees F (37.8  degrees C), were not kept in covered containers when not actually in use:  Epoxy Storage/Prep Area:  On, or about, August 15, 2014, a five gallon plastic bucket that was used to soak coating accessories such as brushes, paint roller handles and the mixer attachment was not kept covered.  The accessories were soaked in Sherwin Williams lacquer thinner, a Category 2 flammable liquid.

Issued

Sep 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(9)(iii): Combustible waste material and residues in a building or unit operating area were not kept to a minimum, stored in covered metal receptacles and disposed of daily:  Epoxy Storage/Prep Area:  On, or about, August 15, 2014, rags that were used to clean epoxy coating accessories such as rollers that had been soaked in Sherwin Williams Lacquer Thinner, a Category 2 flammable liquid, were thrown into an open, plastic trash receptacle.

Issued

Sep 19, 2014

Abate by

Nov 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(g)(2): Employees were permitted to consume food or beverage in a toilet room:  Break Room:  A drinking fountain was provided in close proximity to a urinal.  Abatement Note:  An enclosure or other means to assure privacy should be provided around the urinal.

Issued

Sep 19, 2014

Abate by

Nov 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:    Mixer Area:  On, or about, August 15, 2014, the concrete mixer was not de-energized and locked out when employees accessed the mixer to clean and coat the interior to prepare the machine for mixing operations.        Abatement Note:  If the raised bucket will be used as part of the fall protection system for employees working on the platform, the lockout procedure must include how the skip hoist arms will be braced from falling in the event of a failure in the hydraulic system.

Issued

Sep 19, 2014

Abate by

Nov 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(e)(1): Alloy steel sling(s) did not have permanently affixed durable identification stating size, grade, rated capacity, and reach:   Pouring Floor:  On, or about, August 15, 2014, the following chain alloy lifting slings were not provided with an identification tag:  A.     Two legged sling used to lift the cement bucket. B.     Four legged sling used to lift vault covers.

Issued

Sep 19, 2014

Abate by

Nov 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(e)(3)(i): A thorough periodic inspection of alloy steel chain slings was not made on a regular basis and/or were done at intervals greater than once every 12 months:  Pouring Floor:  On, or about, August 15, 2014, the following chain alloy lifting slings were not provided with annual, documented inspections:  A.     Two legged sling used to lift the cement bucket. B.     Four legged sling used to lift vault covers.

Issued

Sep 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:  A.  Epoxy Storage/Prep Area:  On, or about, August 15, 2014, an extension cord was used to energize an overhead light, battery charger for a Bobcat loader and a large Master fan.  B.  Maintenance Shop:  On, or about, August 15, 2014, an extension cord and relocatable power tap were used to energize a refrigerator, coffee maker and battery chargers.

Issued

Sep 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(ii): There was a defect or evidence of damage that could have exposes an employee to injury and the defective or damaged item was not removed from service:  Epoxy Storage/Prep Area:  On, or about, August 15, 2014, the ground pin was missing from the extension cord that was used to energize the Master floor fan.

Issued

Sep 19, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2): The employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces:  Mixer Area:  On, or about, August 15, 2014, the following confined spaces were not marked with a sign or placard:  A.     Cement silo. B.     Sand hopper. C.     Stone hopper.

Issued

Sep 19, 2014

Abate by

Nov 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5)(i): The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the identity of the hazardous chemical(s) contained therein:  Epoxy Storage/Prep Area:  On, or about, August 15, 2014, the following containers of chemicals were not provided with labels that identified the contents of each container:  A.  Two black plastic buckets that contained a mixture of Redcote Release Agent and mineral spirits, a Category 3 flammable liquid.  B.  A metal chemical sprayer that contained a mixture of Redcote Release Agent and mineral spirits, a Category 3 flammable liquid.  C.  A plastic bucket used to soak brushes, a mixer attachment and roller handles that contained Lacquer Thinner, a Category 2 flammable liquid.

Issued

Sep 19, 2014

Abate by

Nov 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the appropriate hazard warnings:  Epoxy Storage/Prep Area:  On, or about, August 15, 2014, the following containers of chemicals were not provided with labels that provided the appropriate hazard warning for the contents of each container:  A.  Two black plastic buckets that contained a mixture of Redcote Release Agent and mineral spirits, a Category 3 flammable liquid.  B.  A metal chemical sprayer that contained a mixture of Redcote Release Agent and mineral spirits, a Category 3 flammable liquid.  C.  A plastic bucket used to soak brushes, a mixer attachment and roller handles that contained Lacquer Thinner, a Category 2 flammable liquid.

Issued

Sep 19, 2014

Abate by

Nov 6, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(iv): Employee training did not include the details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, including an explanation of the labeling system and the material safety data sheet, and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information:   Plant:  The company had not provided training to employees regarding the new labeling systems and revised safety data sheet format for chemicals under the Globally Harmonized System.