OSHA Inspection: SUPERIOR STEEL PRODUCTS, INC

Issued

Jan 26, 2015

Abate by

Feb 5, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,800 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(2)(iv)(a): Flammable liquids were not kept in covered containers when not in use:  a) In the west end of Shop 3, on or about August 4, 2014, MEK and Xylene were found in open and unlabeled containers overnight or when not in use.  Note: Abatement certification AND documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Jan 26, 2015

Abate by

Feb 5, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 10802590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(5)(i): Portable fire extinguishment and control equipment was not provided in such quantities and types as were needed for special hazards of operation and storage:  a) In Shop 4 (new spray paint area), on or about August 20, 2014, fire extinguishers were not in place while painting operations were performed using MEK; Xylene; Aliphatic Hydrocarbon solvent; Ethyl benzene; Methyl n-Propyl Ketone.  Note: Abatement certification AND documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Jan 26, 2015

Abate by

Feb 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(i): Adequate precautions were not taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors from sources such as open flames; lightning; smoking; cutting and welding; hot surfaces; frictional heat; static, electrical, and mechanical sparks; spontaneous ignition, including heat-producing chemical reactions; and radiant heat:  a)    On or about August 4 and August 20, 2014 and at times prior thereto, a gasoline powered paint sprayer was used in spray painting operations in Shops 3 & 4 where flammable vapors may exist.  Note: Abatement certification AND documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Jan 26, 2015

Abate by

Feb 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 10802590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(f)(6): "No Smoking" signs were not conspicuously posted where hazard from flammable liquid vapors is normally present:  a) On or about August 4, 2014 there were no "NO SMOKING" signs in the spray painting area of Shop #3  where operations were conducted that include MEK, Xylene, Aliphatic Hydrocarbon solvent, Ethyl benzene, Methyl n-Propyl Ketone were used.  b) On or about August 20, 2014 there were no "NO SMOKING" signs in Shop #4 (new spray painting area) where operations were conducted that include MEK, Xylene, Aliphatic Hydrocarbon solvent, Ethyl benzene, Methyl n-Propyl Ketone were used .  Note: Abatement certification AND documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Jan 26, 2015

Abate by

Feb 5, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 10802590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(c)(8): Portable lamp(s) were used in the spraying area(s) during spraying operations:  a) In shop 3, on or about August 4, 2014 and at times prior to, a halogen work lamp was found in the spray painting area  including inside tanks where MEK, Xylene, Aliphatic Hydrocarbon solvent, Ethyl benzene, Methyl n-Propyl Ketone were used.  b) In shop 4, on August 20, 2014 and at times prior to, a halogen work lamp was used in spray painting operations including inside tanks where MEK, Xylene, Aliphatic Hydrocarbon solvent, Ethyl benzene, Methyl n-Propyl Ketone were used.  Note: Abatement certification AND documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Jan 26, 2015

Abate by

Jun 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,500 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2590A102

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(iii): The employer did not identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace; including a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazards and identification of the contaminant's chemical state and physical form.   a)  In the painting areas in Shop 3 and 4, on or about August 4, 2014 and at times prior thereto, the employer had not adequately evaluated the respiratory hazards of spray painting operations when working inside of the tanks.  Employees work with chemicals such as Xylene and MEK.  The employer has not evaluated the health hazards of spray painting inside tanks. The employer requires spray painters to wear elastomeric respirators but has not evaluated and assessed the respiratory hazards in the work place.    b)  In the welding area in Shop 3, on or about August 4, 2014 and at times prior thereto, the employer had not adequately identified the respiratory hazards of welding operations when working inside of the tanks .  Employees weld on mild steel, stainless steel and aluminum.  The employer has not evaluated the health hazards of welding inside tanks. The employer requires welders to wear cartridge respirators but has not evaluated and assessed the respiratory hazards in the work place.  Note:  Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

Jan 26, 2015

Abate by

Mar 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1):  The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:  a) On or about August 4, 2014 and at times prior to, in the painting areas in Shop #3 and 4, employees performing spray painting work with chemicals such as Xylene and MEK.  The employer requires spray painters to wear tight-fitting elastomeric respirators but has not had these employees receive a medical evaluation.  b) On or about August 4, 2014 and at times prior to, in the welding area in Shop #3, employees perform welding operations weld on mild steel, stainless steel and aluminum.  The employer requires welders to wear P100 respirators but has not had these employees receive a medical evaluation.   Note:  Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

Jan 26, 2015

Abate by

Mar 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(1): The employer did not ensure that employee(s) required to use a tight-fitting facepiece respirator passed the appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT):  a) On or about August 4, 2014 and at times prior to, in the painting areas in Shop #3 and 4, employees work with chemicals such as Xylene and MEK.  The employer requires spray painters to wear elastomeric respirators but has not provided them with an appropriate fit test.  Note:  Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

Jan 26, 2015

Abate by

Mar 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i):  The employer permitted respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or interfered with valve function:  a)  On or about August 5, 2014 and at times prior to and on August 20, 2014 the employer permits spray painters that are required to wear tight-fitting elastomeric respirators to have facial hair.  Note: Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

Jan 26, 2015

Abate by

Feb 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) On or about August 5, 2014 and at times prior to, employees are required to wear tight-fitting elastomeric respirators during spray painting operations and they have not been adequately trained in the respiratory protection program of the employer.  Note: Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

Jan 26, 2015

Abate by

Mar 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(l)(1): Evaluations of the workplace were not conducted to ensure the written respiratory protection program was being effectively implemented.  a) On or about August 5, 2014 and at times prior to, the respiratory protection program of Superior Steel Products, Inc. states that the employer shall conduct medical evaluations, fit testing, and have employees be clean shaven while wearing tight-fitting respirators.  The employer has not effectively evaluated the workplace to ensure compliance with its own program.  Note: Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

Jan 26, 2015

Abate by

Jun 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,800 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(5)(ii)(F): The atmosphere within the spaces have not been periodically tested as necessary to ensure that the continuous forced air ventilation is preventing the accumulation of a hazardous atmosphere.   a)  In Shop 1 on or about August 4, 2014, and at times prior thereto, employees were welding inside new and used tanks.  Periodic testing of the atmosphere was not being performed.    b)  In Shop 3 on or about August 4, 2014, and at times prior thereto, employees were welding and spray painting inside new and used tanks. Periodic testing of the atmosphere was not performed.     c)  In Shop 4 on or about August 20, 2014, and at times prior thereto, employees were spray painting inside new tanks. Periodic testing of the atmosphere was not performed.     Note: Abatement certification AND documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Jan 26, 2015

Abate by

Mar 31, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(4)(viii): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not ensure that employees properly used rescue and emergency equipment needed to comply with 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(9):   a) On or about August 5, 2014 and at times prior to, in the DOT inspection repair area, employees were not required to pre-stage or assemble rescue equipment before entering the tank.   b) On or about August 5, 2014 and at times prior to, in the media blasting and tank painting area, employees were not required to pre-stage or assemble rescue equipment before entering the tank.   NOTE: Abatement certification AND documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Jan 26, 2015

Abate by

Mar 31, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(g)(1): The employer did not provide training so that all employees whose work was regulated by 29 CFR 1910.146 (permit required confined spaces) acquired the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned under 29 CFR 1910.146:   a) On or about August 4, 2014 and at times prior to, employees entering confined spaces and permit required confined spaces were not trained to recognize the hazards associated with working in the confined spaces such as a lack of oxygen, difficulties in communicating when an employee is inside a tank, welding and grinding inside a used tank, slips, trips and falls inside a tank, maneuvering around baffles in a tank.   Note: Abatement certification AND documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Jan 26, 2015

Abate by

Mar 31, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(k)(2)(ii): When persons other than the host employer's employees performed permit space rescue, the host employer did not provide the rescue service with access to all permit spaces from which rescue may be necessary so that the rescue service is aware of the hazards.   a) On or about August 4, 2014 and at times prior to, employer has not had Caldwell EMS rescue on site to determine needs or arrange a practice rescue.  Note: Abatement certification AND documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Jan 26, 2015

Abate by

Mar 31, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(k)(2)(iv): The employer did not ensure that affected employees practice making permit space rescues at least once every 12 months, by means of simulated rescue operations in which they remove dummies, manikins, or actual persons from the actual permit spaces or from representative permit spaces:  a) In Shop 1 (tank repair) on or about August 5, 2014 and at times prior thereto, affected employees did not conduct practice rescues at least once every 12 months.  b) In Shop 3 (spray paint area), on or about August 5, 2014 and at times prior thereto, affected employees did not conduct practice rescues at least once every 12 months.  Note: Abatement certification AND documentation are required for this item.