OSHA Inspection: AMERICAN SOLDER & FLUX CO., INC.

Issued

Dec 22, 2014

Abate by

Jan 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $2,400

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(i): The employer did not select and have each affected employee use, the types of personal protective equipment that would protect the affected employee(s) from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment:  a) American Solder & Flux Inc. - Employees added toxic and corrosive liquids including hydrobromic acid 48%, aminoethylethanolamine, monoethanolamine 70%, hydrochloric acid, and zinc chloride 92% solution to product mixes.  The employer did not provide and ensure that employees donned protective clothing such as impervious coveralls, an impervious long sleeve gown, face shield,chemical tight goggles, appropriate chemical and acid resistant gloves, and protective boots, exposing employees to chemical hazards.  Observed on or about June 26, 2014.  b) American Solder & Flux Inc. - Employees added toxic and corrosive powders including zinc chloride anhydrous and fluoride containing chemicals to product mixes.  The employer did not provide and ensure that employees donned protective clothing including impervious coveralls, an impervious long sleeve gown, appropriate chemical resistant gloves, and protective boots, exposing employees to chemical hazards.  Observed on or about June 26, 2014.

Issued

Dec 22, 2014

Abate by

Jan 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) American Solder & Flux Inc. - Employees added corrosive and toxic liquids including hydrobromic acid, monoethanolamine, aminoethylethanolamine, hydrochloric acid, and zinc chloride solution to products during mixing and were exposed to chemical vapors.  The employer did not provide and ensure that employees used a face shield and chemical tight safety goggles exposing employees to chemical hazards.  Observed on or about June 26, 2014.

Issued

Dec 22, 2014

Abate by

Jan 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(b): The employer did not base the selection of the appropriate hand protection on an evaluation of the performance characteristics of the hand protection relative to the task(s) to be performed, conditions present, duration of use, and the hazards and potential hazards identified:  a) American Solder & Flux Inc. - Employees added toxic and corrosive liquids and powders including hydrobromic acid, monoethanolamine, aminoethylethanolamine, hydrochloric acid, zinc chloride solution, zinc chloride anhydrous, and fluoride containing powders to product mixes.  The employer did not provide and ensure that employees wore appropriate chemical and acid resistant gloves which can be disposed of after use if contaminated, exposing employees to chemical hazards.  Observed on or about June 26, 2014.

Issued

Dec 22, 2014

Abate by

Jan 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $1,200

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 implemented for required respirator use:  a) American Solder & Flux Inc. - A written respiratory protection program was developed but was not implemented by the employer when respirator use was required. Employees donned tight-fitting, elastomeric respirators when adding chemicals such as hydrobromic acid, monoethanolamine, aminoethylethanolamine, hydrochloric acid, zinc chloride solution, zinc chloride anhydrous, and fluoride to product mixes. Observed on or about June 26, 2014.

Issued

Dec 22, 2014

Abate by

Jan 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) American Solder & Flux Inc. - The employer did not provide medical evaluations to determine the employees ability to use a respirator before requiring employees to wear tight-fitting, elastomeric 3M 7500 half-mask and North 6008A full facepiece air purifying respirators when they added and mixed chemicals to product batches, exposing employees to potential health hazards.  Observed on or about June 26, 2014.

Issued

Dec 22, 2014

Abate by

Jan 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator:  a) American Solder & Flux Inc. - Employees were required to wear tight-fitting, elastomeric 3M 7500 half-mask and North 6008A full facepiece air purifying respirators when they added and mixed chemicals to product batches.  The employer did not provide fit-testing for employees, exposing employees to hazardous chemicals.  Observed on or about June 26, 2014.

Issued

Dec 22, 2014

Abate by

Jan 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A): Respirators with tight-fitting facepieces were worn by employees who had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interfered with valve function:  a) American Solder & Flux Inc. - Employees were required to wear tight-fitting, elastomeric 3M 7500 half-mask air purifying respirators and North 6008A full facepiece air purifying respirators when they added and mixed chemicals to product batches.  The employer did not ensure that employees were clean-shaven, exposing employees to hazardous chemicals.  Observed on or about June 26, 2014.

Issued

Dec 22, 2014

Abate by

Jan 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(h)(1)(i): Respirators issued for the exclusive use of an employee were not cleaned and disinfected as often as necessary to be maintained in a sanitary condition:  a) American Solder & Flux Inc. - The employer did not ensure that the North 6008A full facepiece air purifying respirator used by the production employee was maintained in a sanitary condition, potentially exposing the employee to hazardous chemicals added to the batches. Observed on or about June 24, 2014.

Issued

Dec 22, 2014

Abate by

Jan 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(h)(3)(i)(A): Respirators used in routine situations were not inspected before each use and during cleaning:  a) American Solder & Flux Inc. - The employer did not ensure that the tight-fitting, elastomeric North 66008 full facepiece air purifying respirator was inspected by the production employee before use.  The respirator was missing the cover on the exhalation valve at the front of the respirator, exposing the employee to hazardous chemicals.  Observed on or about June 26, 2014.

Issued

Dec 22, 2014

Abate by

Jan 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $2,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:    a) American Solder & Flux Inc. - Employees were exposed to corrosive chemicals such as hydrobromic acid, monoethanolamine, aminoethylethanolamine, hydrochloric acid, zinc chloride solution, zinc chloride anhydrous, and fluoride. The employer did not ensure suitable facilities for quick drenching of the eyes and body were provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.  Observed on or about June 26, 2014.