OSHA Inspection: RHEM, LLC

Issued

Nov 7, 2014

Abate by

Dec 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(b)(1):  Spray booths shall be substantially constructed of steel, securely and rigidly supported, or of concrete or masonry except that aluminum or other substantial noncombustible material may be used for intermittent or low volume spraying. Spray booths shall be designed to sweep air currents toward the exhaust outlet.    (a)        RHEM, LLC / EJ Bartells @ 3950 Nome Street, Unit H. Denver CO 80239:   On or before June 11, 2014, the employer provided a converted tractor-trailer to be used as a spray-paint booth.  The trailer was lined with particle board walls and wooden flooring.  This condition exposed employees to fire hazards.

Issued

Nov 7, 2014

Abate by

Dec 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(b)(3):  The floor surface of a spray booth and operator's working area, if combustible, shall be covered with noncombustible material of such character as to facilitate the safe cleaning and removal of residues.      (a)        RHEM, LLC / EJ Bartells @ 3950 Nome Street, Unit H. Denver CO 80239:   On or before June 11, 2014, the employer provided a converted tractor-trailer to be used as a spray-paint booth.  The inside of the trailer consisted of particle board walls and wooden flooring.  The employer did not make efforts to cover the combustible wall and flooring with noncombustible materials.  This condition exposed employees to fire hazards.

Issued

Nov 7, 2014

Abate by

Dec 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(c)(4): Electrical wiring and equipment shall conform to the provisions of this paragraph and shall otherwise be in accordance with subpart S of this part.       (a)        RHEM, LLC. @ 3950 Nome Street, Unit H.  Denver CO 80239:  On or before August 21, 2014, the employer did not ensure electrical wiring and equipment conformed to the provisions of subpart S in that an extension cord was used to power the electric exhaust fan located approximately 6 feet from spraying operations inside the paint booth.  This is condition exposed employees to a fire hazard.

Issued

Nov 7, 2014

Abate by

Dec 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(d)(5): Electric motors driving exhaust fans shall not be placed inside booths or ducts.   (a)        RHEM, LLC / EJ Bartells @ 3950 Nome Street, Unit H. Denver CO 80239:   On or before June 11, 2014, the employer installed an electric fan inside a paint booth to provide exhaust ventilation for spray-painting operations.  This condition exposed employees to a fire hazard.

Issued

Nov 7, 2014

Abate by

Dec 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv): Unless specifically permitted otherwise in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section, flexible cords and cables may not be used:    (A): As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure;    (a)        RHEM, LLC. @ 3950 Nome Street, Unit H.  Denver CO 80239:  On or before August 21, 2014, the employer did not ensure extension cords were prevented from being used in place of permanent wiring for the electric exhaust fan that was installed inside the paint booth.  This condition exposed employees to a fire hazard.

Issued

Nov 7, 2014

Abate by

Dec 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c): This paragraph requires the employer to develop and implement a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures and elements for required respirator use. The program must be administered by a suitably trained program administrator.    (a)        RHEM, LLC / EJ Bartells @ 3950 Nome Street, Unit H. Denver CO 80239:   On or before June 11, 2014, the employer provided employees with a respirator to wear during spray-painting operations.  The employer did not develop and implement a written respiratory protection program prior to issuing the respirator. This condition exposed employees to respiratory hazards.

Issued

Nov 7, 2014

Abate by

Dec 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): General. The employer shall provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace. The employer may discontinue an employee's medical evaluations when the employee is no longer required to use a respirator.    (a)        RHEM, LLC / EJ Bartells @ 3950 Nome Street, Unit H. Denver CO 80239:   On or before June 11, 2014, the employer did not provide employees with a medical evaluation prior to issuing the respirator for use during spray painting operations. This condition potentially exposed employees to respiratory hazards.

Issued

Nov 7, 2014

Abate by

Dec 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(2)(i): Appropriate surveillance shall be maintained of work area conditions and degree of employee exposure or stress. When there is a change in work area conditions or degree of employee exposure or stress that may affect respirator effectiveness, the employer shall reevaluate the continued effectiveness of the respirator.    (a)        RHEM, LLC / EJ Bartells @ 3950 Nome Street, Unit H. Denver CO 80239:   On or before June 11, 2014, the employer did not evaluate respirator effectiveness and/or cartridge break-through when employees complained of symptoms related to paint inhalation while using a respirator.  This condition created a potential for over-exposure to volatile organic vapors during painting operations.

Issued

Nov 7, 2014

Abate by

Dec 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(h)(2)(i): All respirators shall be stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals, and they shall be packed or stored to prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve.      (a)        RHEM, LLC / EJ Bartells @ 3950 Nome Street, Unit H. Denver CO 80239:   On or before June 11, 2014, the employer did not provide proper instructions for maintenance and storage of respirators to employees.   A used respirator was left on the painting workbench inside the paint booth with no cover to protect the respirator from additional contamination.  This condition potentially exposed employees to respiratory hazards.

Issued

Nov 7, 2014

Abate by

Dec 5, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k):  This paragraph requires the employer to provide effective training to employees who are required to use respirators. The training must be comprehensive, understandable, and recur annually, and more often if necessary.  The training shall include the following:                     (i): Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator;      (a)        RHEM, LLC / EJ Bartells @ 3950 Nome Street, Unit H. Denver CO 80239:   On or before June 11, 2014, the employer did not provide effective training on the proper fit, usage, and maintenance of the respirator that was issued to employees.   Employees were unaware of the requirements for cartridge change-out schedule to prevent chemical break-through and did not maintain the respirator in a sanitary condition as required by this standard.  This condition exposed employees to a respiratory hazard.