OSHA Inspection: EMPIRE METAL FINISHING, INC.

Issued

Aug 18, 2015

Abate by

Sep 21, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,940 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(e): The employer did not ensure that employees were not using defective or damaged personal protective equipment in the workplace.    a) On or about March 2, 2013, at the job site at 24-69 46th Street, Astoria, NY 11103    The employer did not ensure that a Niltrile Apron, used to protect an employee from exposure to hazardous chemicals including corrosive acids and alkalis, such as sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide, was taken out of service when torn and peeling.

Issued

Aug 18, 2015

Abate by

Aug 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $0 Reduced

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) On or about March 2, 2013, at the job site at 24-69 46th Street, Astoria, NY 11103    The employer did not ensure that employees who are exposed to hazardous chemicals including corrosive acids and alkalis, such as sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide, were provided with and used appropriate eye and face protection. Employees were provided with safety glasses designed to protect wearers from impact hazards, not chemical goggles to protect from chemical liquids and vapors, and while face shields were provided, their use was not enforced.

Issued

Aug 18, 2015

Abate by

Aug 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6): The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the information specified under paragraphs (f)(6)(i) through (ii) of this section:    a) On or about March 2, 2013, at the job site at 24-69 46th Street, Astoria, NY 11103    The employer did not ensure that containers of hazardous chemicals such as Jax Silver Blackener, on which the labels had been damaged or faded or worn, obscuring the required safety and health information, were relabeled with the information specified under 1910.1200(f)(6)(i) through (ii).

Issued

Aug 18, 2015

Abate by

Aug 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(8): 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(8): The employer did not label portable containers into which hazardous chemicals were transferred.   a) On or about March 2, 2013, at the job site at 24-69 46th Street, Astoria, NY 11103  The employer did not ensure that secondary containers of turpentine which were not filled for immediate use by the person doing the filling were labeled with the information specified under 1910.1200(f)(6)(i) through (ii).

Issued

Aug 18, 2015

Abate by

Oct 5, 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:  a) On or about March 2, 2013, at the job site at 24-69 46th Street, Astoria, NY 11103  The employer did not ensure that employees working in the polishing section, who use chemicals such as EP Emory Paste (contains silica) and 7WS polishing compound (irritant), and in whose work area hazardous chemicals such as sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid are stored, received hazard communication training at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard on which the employees had not been previously trained was introduced into their work area.

Issued

Aug 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:  a) On or about April 7, 2015, at the job site at 24-69 46th Street, Astoria, NY 11103  The employer did not ensure that the exit route leading to the southwest exterior exit door onto 46th Street was kept free of obstructions such as stored stools.

Issued

Aug 18, 2015

Abate by

Aug 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2): Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":  a) On or about April 7, 2015, at the job site at 24-69 46th Street, Astoria, NY 11103  The employer did not ensure that the exit door leading from the office to the northwest exit discharge onto 46th Street was marked with an exit sign.

Issued

Aug 18, 2015

Abate by

Aug 24, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(4): If the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge is not immediately apparent, signs must be posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge. Additionally, the line-of-sight to an exit sign must clearly be visible at all times.   a) On or about April 7, 2015, at the job site at 24-69 46th Street, Astoria, NY 11103  The employer did not ensure that all signs indicating the direction of travel through the work shop to the nearest exits were clearly visible and unobstructed.

Issued

Aug 18, 2015

Abate by

Aug 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(i): Selection of appropriate respirators was not based on the respiratory hazard(s) to which the worker was exposed and user factors that affect respirator performance and reliability:  a) On or about March 2, 2013, at the job site at 24-69 46th Street, Astoria, NY 11103  The employer did not ensure that employees had access to the proper respiratory protection. In demonstrating the correct method and PPE for transporting and transferring 100% sulfuric acid, an employee wore a half-face respirator with organic vapor cartridges, which are not suitable to protect the wearer. Suitable cartridges such as acid gas or multi-gas cartridges were not available in the work place.  b) On or about March 2, 2013, at the job site at 24-69 46th Street, Astoria, NY 11103  The employer allows some employees who are exposed to a range of corrosive liquids and gases while working in the plating area to use N95 masks as their only respiratory protection.