OSHA Inspection: STERLING SEATING, INC

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Apr 22, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,695 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(e)(2): The quantity of flammable liquids or liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C) kept in the vicinity of spraying operations shall be the minimum required for operations and should ordinarily not exceed a supply for 1 day or one shift:    a) Spray Finishing Area: Storage of flammable chemicals, including but not limited to, 51-13 ounce aerosol cans of Mohawk Tone Finish Toner-M101-0227, and a five gallon container of lacquer thinner, were stored in the vicinity of spray finishing operations, on or about, 2/5/15.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Apr 22, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(e)(9): Whenever flammable liquids or liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C) are transferred from one container to another, both containers shall be effectively bonded and grounded to prevent discharge sparks of static electricity.    a) Spray Finishing: Employees transfer flammable chemicals, including but not limited to, lacquer thinner, Sher-Wood White Varnish Sanding Sealer, and Sher-Wood Dye Stain. Employees transfer flammable chemicals from five gallon metal containers directly into spray gun devices and the containers were not bonded and grounded, on or about 2/5/15.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Jul 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(f)(3): Sprinklers protecting spraying areas were not kept as free from deposits as practical by cleaning daily if necessary.  a) Spray Finishing Shop: The sprinkler head installed inside a powered-ventilated spray finishing booth, used for spraying flammable and combustible chemicals, was present with overspray residue, on or about, 2/5/15.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Jul 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,310 · Current $1,617 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): The employer did not select and require employee(s) to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands were exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances:    a) Stock Table Shop: Employees used rags soaked with paint thinner, containing hazardous substances, including but not limited to, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, acetone, and methyl ethyl ketone to remove marks and other imperfections from benches and the employer did not provide hand protection to protect against dermal contact, on or about 2/5/15.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Jul 31, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,310 · Current $1,617 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning. Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning purposes except where reduced to less than 30 p.s.i. and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment.    a) Wood Shop: An employee was observed using compressed air from the plant to remove sawdust from clothing and the workstation. The pressure at the nozzle end was measured in excess of 60 p.s.i., on or about 2/5/15.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Jul 7, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,695 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:    a) Wood Shop: An air heater classified as "Household Use Only" used to provide thermal comfort for employees, was located in an area where a potential breach of wood processing equipment and a Grizzly enclosureless dust collector, were present. Wood working equipment generates combustible dust classified as a Class II explosive dust, and presents a potential fire hazard, on or about, 2/15/15.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Jul 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,695 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): Each outlet box in completed installations did not have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy:    a) Assembly Shop: A light switch receptacle used to provide lighting in the work area was missing a cover, on or about, 2/5/15.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Apr 22, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $3,773 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(j)(1)(i): The employer did not make medical surveillance available for employees who were or potentially were exposed to methylene chloride at or above the action level on 30 or more days per year, or above the 8-hour time weighted average permissible exposure limit or the short term exposure limit on 10 or more days per year:    a) Upholstery Shop: Employees were spraying an adhesive, Premier Bond PB980N, which contained 50-65% of methylene chloride, on to foam and wood. The employees were exposed to airborne concentrations of methylene chloride in excess of OSHA's Action Level of 12.5 parts per million. The employer did not make medical surveillance available to affected employees, on or about, 4/16/15.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Aug 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,700 · Current $5,390 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200

General-duty citation text

Section (5)(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to dust deflagration, explosion or other fire hazard:     a) Wood Shop: Grizzly Enclosureless Dust Collectors were located inside the building and used for collecting dust produced from wood cutting process equipment of various wood types, including but not limited to, plywood and flakeboard. The required fire and deflagration prevention mechanisms were not in place, on or about 1/7/15, and 2/5/15.     b) Wood Shop: An Oneida Direct Drive Cyclone Dust Collector, was located inside the building and used for collecting dust produced from wood cutting process equipment of various wood types, including but not limited to, plywood and flakeboard. The required fire and deflagration prevention mechanisms were not in place, on or about 1/7/15, and 2/5/15.     STERLING SEATING, INC, was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 314674474, citation number 1, item number 1, and was affirmed as a final order on January 20, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at North Arlington, New Jersey.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Jul 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,160 · Current $4,312 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 °F (37.8 °C), shall be kept in covered containers when not actually in use.    a) Spray Finishing Area: Containers of flammable class 1B chemicals, including but not limited to, lacquer thinner, Denatured alcohol, Sher-wood wiping stain cherry, Sherwin Williams EEP reducer-R6K35, Sherwin Williams Butyl Acetate R6K18, were left open, when not in use, on or about, 2/5/15.    STERLING SEATING, INC, was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.106(e)(2)(IV)(A), which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 314674474, Citation Number 1, Item Number 3, and was affirmed as a final order on January 20, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at North Arlington, New Jersey.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Aug 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,160 · Current $4,312 Reduced

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) Spray Finishing Shop: The employer requires employees to wear Binks Millennium 3000 elastomeric dual cartridge half-mask respirators during spray finishing operations. The employer did not provide a medical evaluation for affected employees to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, on or about 2/5/15.    b) Wood Shop: The employer requires employees to wear 3M N95 filtering facepiece masks, while servicing enclosureless dust collectors. The employer did not provide a medical evaluation for affected employees to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, on or about 2/5/15.    STERLING SEATING, INC, was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1), which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 314674474, Citation Number 1, Item Number 7, and was affirmed as a final order on January 20, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at North Arlington, New Jersey.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Aug 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(1): The employer shall ensure that employees using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator pass an appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT) as stated in this paragraph:  a) Spray Finishing Shop: The employer requires the use of negative pressure tight-fitting respirators during spray finishing operations. Employees spray with chemicals which includes, but not limited to, sealants, hardeners, lacquer thinner and catalysts, and the employer did not ensure that employees completed fit testing, on or about, 2/5/15.  STERLING SEATING, INC, was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.134(f)(1), which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 314674474, Citation Number 1, Item Number 6B, and was affirmed as a final order on January 20, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at North Arlington, New Jersey.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Aug 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,160 · Current $4,312 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) Spray Finishing Shop: Employees are required to wear Binks Millennium 3000 elastomeric dual cartridge half-mask respirators during spray finishing operations. Employees had not received training on the proper use of respirators, on or about, 2/5/15.    b) Wood Shop: Employees are required to wear 3M N95 filtering facepiece dust masks while servicing Grizzly enclosureless dust collectors and an Oneida Direct Drive cyclone dust collector. Employees had not received training on the proper use of respirators, on or about, 2/5/15.    STERLING SEATING, INC, was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.134(k)(3), which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 314674474, Citation Number 1, Item Number 8, and was affirmed as a final order on January 20, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at North Arlington, New Jersey.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Aug 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $10,780 · Current $7,546 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(d)(1)(i)(B): Where methylene chloride was present in the workplace, the employer did not determine each employees exposure by taking personal breathing zone air samples that were representative of each employee's exposure:    a) Upholstery Shop: The Employer did not determine exposure to concentrations of methylene chloride, for employees who conducted spray painting, using the chemical, Premier Bond PB980N, which contains 50-65% Methylene Chloride, on or about 3/18/15.    STERLING SEATING, INC, was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.1052(d)(1)(i)(B), which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 314674474, Citation Number 1, Item Number 12B, and was affirmed as a final order on January 20, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at North Arlington, New Jersey.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Aug 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,160 · Current $4,312 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(h)(1): Where needed to prevent methylene chloride induced skin or eye irritation, the employer did not provide clean protective clothing and equipment resistant to methylene chloride, at no cost to the employee, and/or did not ensure that each affected employee used it:    a) Upholstery Shop: Employees who spray an adhesive, Premier Bond PB980N, which contains 50-65% methylene chloride, were not provided with suitable hand, eye protection, and protective clothing that is resistant to methylene chloride, on or about, 2/5/15.    STERLING SEATING, INC, was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.1052(h)(1), which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 314674474, Citation Number 1, Item Number 13, and was affirmed as a final order on January 20, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at North Arlington, New Jersey.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Aug 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,700 · Current $5,390 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(i)(2): If it is reasonably foreseeable that an employee's eyes may contact solutions containing 0.1 percent or greater Methylene Chloride (for example through splashes, spills or improper work practices), the employer shall provide appropriate eyewash facilities within the immediate work area for emergency use, and shall ensure that affected employees use those facilities when necessary as required under the Methylene Chloride Standard in 29 CFR 1910.1052.    a) Upholstery Shop: An employee who sprays an adhesive, Premier Bond PB980N, which contains 50-65% methylene chloride, was not provided with a suitable flushing facility within the immediate work area, on or about, 2/5/15.    STERLING SEATING, INC, was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.1052(i)(2), which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 314674474, Citation Number 1, Item Number 10B, and was affirmed as a final order on January 20, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at North Arlington, New Jersey.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Aug 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,700 · Current $5,390 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(l)(1): The employer shall provide information and training for each affected employee prior to or at the time of initial assignment to a job involving potential exposure to Methylene Chloride:    a) Upholstery Shop: Employees who spray Premier Bond (PB980N) adhesive, which contains 50-65% of methylene chloride, on to foam and wood, were exposed to concentrations of methylene chloride in excess of OSHA's Action Level of 12.5 parts per million, and were not informed of the hazards associated with methylene chloride, on or about, 3/18/15.    b) Spray Finishing Shop: Employees who conduct spray finishing inside a powered ventilated spray paint booth were exposed to concentrations of methylene chloride in excess of OSHA's Action Level of 12.5 parts per million, and were not informed of the hazards associated with methylene chloride, on or about, 3/18/15.    STERLING SEATING, INC, was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.1052(l)(1), which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 314674474, Citation Number 1, Item Number 11B, and was affirmed as a final order on January 20, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at North Arlington, New Jersey.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Aug 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(l)(3)(i): The employer did not inform each affected employee of the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1052 and the information available in its appendices and/or how to access or obtain a copy of it in the workplace:  a) Upholstery Shop: Employees spray Premier Bond (PB980N) adhesive, which contains 50-65% of methylene chloride, on to foam and wood. The employees were not informed of the requirements of the standard and the information contained in the appendices, on or about, 3/18/15.  b) Spray Finishing Shop: Employees conducting spray finishing operations in a powered ventilated spray paint booth were exposed to concentrations of methylene chloride in excess of OSHA's Action Level of 12.5 parts per million, and were not informed of the requirements of the standard and the information contained in the appendices, on or about, 3/18/15.  STERLING SEATING, INC, was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.1052(l)(3)(i), which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 314674474, Citation Number 1, Item Number 11C, and was affirmed as a final order on January 20, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at North Arlington, New Jersey.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Aug 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1290

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1048(n)(1): The employer did not ensure that all employees who were assigned to workplaces where there was exposure to formaldehyde participated in a training program:  a) Spray Finishing Shop: Employees were conducting spray painting using Sher-Wood Water White Varnish Sanding Sealer, which contains 0.1% Formaldehyde, and employees were not included in a training program on health hazards associated with using formaldehyde, on or about, 3/18/15.  STERLING SEATING, INC, was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.1048(n)(1), which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 314674474, Citation Number 1, Item Number11A, and was affirmed as a final order on January 20, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at North Arlington, New Jersey.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Aug 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,700 · Current $5,390 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:    a) Stock Table Shop: Temporary employees were hired to complete a job task which involved soaking rags with paint thinner, containing hazardous substances, including but not limited to, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, acetone, and methyl ethyl ketone, to remove marks and other imperfections from benches. The employer did not inform temporary employees of the existence of hazardous chemicals and substances, prior to beginning work, on or about 2/5/15.    STERLING SEATING, INC, was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1), which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 314674474, Citation Number 1, Item Number 14A, and was affirmed as a final order on January 20, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at North Arlington, New Jersey.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Aug 13, 2015

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 [HCS 1994]:  Or in the alternative:  29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with the Product identifier, words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals [HCS 2012]:  a) Stock Table Shop: Temporary agency employees were directed by the employer to remove imperfections and other scratch marks from benches. The employees were dispensing from a 1-gallon container of lacquer thinner that included, but not limited to toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, acetone, and methyl ethyl ketone. The container did not have a label with the identity of the hazardous chemical, Finish 1 Economy Thinner, on or about 2/5/15.  b) Wood Shop: A container of lacquer thinner was unlabeled, on or about 2/5/15.   STERLING SEATING, INC, was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5)(I), which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 314674474, Citation Number 1, Item Number 14B, and was affirmed as a final order on January 20, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at North Arlington, New Jersey.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Aug 13, 2015

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 or alternatively words pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals, and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the Hazard Communication program, will provide employees with specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical [HCS 1994]:  Or in the alternative:  29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with the Product identifier, words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals [HCS 2012]:  a) Stock Table Shop: Temporary agency employees were directed by the employer to remove imperfections and other scratch marks from benches. The employees were dispensing from a 1-gallon container of lacquer thinner, that included, but not limited to toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, acetone, and methyl ethyl ketone. The container did not identify appropriate hazard warnings for the chemical, Finish 1 Economy Thinner, on or about 2/5/15.  b) Wood Shop: A container of lacquer thinner did not identity appropriate hazard warnings, on or about 2/5/15.  STERLING SEATING, INC, was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5)(ii), which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 314674474, Citation Number 1, Item Number 14C, and was affirmed as a final order on January 20, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at North Arlington, New Jersey.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Aug 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  Shop Wide: Employees who spray adhesives, sealants, catalysts, varnishes, and employees who cut and sand wood, are exposed to hazardous chemicals and substances, including but not limited to, acetone, methylene chloride, formaldehyde, lacquer thinner, and n-Butyl Acetate, combustible Class II explosive dust, and affected employees were not provided with information and training on hazards associated with the chemicals they worked with, on or about 3/18/15.  STERLING SEATING, INC, was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1), which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 314674474, Citation Number 1, Item Number 11D, and was affirmed as a final order on January 20, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at North Arlington, New Jersey.

Issued

Jul 1, 2015

Abate by

Aug 13, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1020(g)(1)(i): Upon first entering into employment, and/or at least annually thereafter, the employer did not inform current employees of the existence, location, and availability of any records covered by 29 CFR 1910.1020:  a) Shop Area: The employer did not inform employees on an annual basis, the existence, location and availability of records pertaining to exposure and medical records, on or about 2/5/15.