OSHA Inspection: MAWA INC

Issued

2015-09-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $2600.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0640

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 1 ton containers of chlorine were purged prior to determining if the container was empty:     a) Lot to the rear of the facility: Employees were processing chlorine containers by filling the containers with water and then releasing the water liquid chlorine mixture form a safety valve without implementing an appropriate procedure to verify one ton containers of chlorine were empty.  Exposing the employees to inhalation and chemical burns hazards, on or about April 23, 2015.      Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

2015-09-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2400.00 · Current $2400.00

Hazardous substances 0640

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) Back of facility: Employees fill and drain compressed gas cylinders and containers that contain residual corrosive gases such as chlorine and  an adequate eye wash and shower were not available to the employees, on or about April 23, 2015.   Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2015-09-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-11-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2400.00 · Current $2500.00

Hazardous substances 0640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:     a) Back lot of the facility: An employee draining a water and residual liquid chlorine mixture from one ton chlorine containers was not required to wear appropriate body and foot protection such as chemical resistant apron and boots exposing the employee to chemical burns, on or about April 23, 2015.     Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2015-09-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-11-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 0640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify, through a written certification, the identity of the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation had been performed, and the date the hazard assessment was done:    a) Facility wide:  Employees are exposed to splash and vapor hazards while working with cylinders of toxic chemicals and the employer had not certified that a hazard assessment for the need to use personal protective equipment during work tasks had been conducted, and which stated which activities were evaluated, the date of the assessment, and the person who conducted the assessment on or about June 1, 2015.      Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2015-09-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-11-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 0640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): Protective eye equipment was not required where there was a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented by such equipment:     a) Back lot of the facility: An employee draining a water and residual liquid chlorine mixture from one ton chlorine containers was not required to wear appropriate eye and face protection such as goggles or a face shield exposing the employee to chemical burns, on or about April 23, 2015.       Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2015-09-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-11-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 0640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): The employer did not select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees hands were exposed to hazardous condition(s):     a) Back lot of the facility: An employee draining a water and residual liquid chlorine mixture from one ton chlorine containers was not required to wear appropriate hand protection such as chemical resistant or thermal gloves exposing employees to chemical and thermal burns, on or about April 23, 2015.       Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2015-09-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-03-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(a)(1): Employee(s) were exposed to an airborne concentration of chlorine listed in Table Z-1 in excess of the ceiling concentration of value of 1 part per million (ppm).    a) Back lot of facility: An employee draining a water and residual liquid chlorine mixture from one ton containers was exposed to approximately 240 parts chlorine per one million parts of air (ppm). This level is 240 times the permissible exposure limit for chlorine of 1 ppm as a ceiling limit which is not to be exceeded.  This exposed employees to eye, skin and respiratory burn hazards on or about April 23, 2015.     Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

2015-09-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-12-24 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 0640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(e): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not determined and implemented to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d):     a) Back lot of facility: An employee draining  water and residual liquid chlorine mixture from one ton containers was exposed to approximately 240 parts chlorine per one million parts of air (ppm). This level is 240 times the permissible exposure limit for chlorine of 1 ppm as a ceiling limit which is not to be exceeded.  This exposed the employees to eye, skin and respiratory hazards on or about April 23, 2015.    ABATEMENT NORMALLY WILL BE MULTISTEP AS FOLLOWS:      Step 1:   EFFECTIVE RESPIRATORY PROTECTION SHALL BE PROVIDED AND USED BY EXPOSED EMPLOYEES AS AN INTERIM PROTECTIVE MEASURE UNTIL FEASIBLE ENGINEERING AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED, OR WHENEVER SUCH CONTROLS FAIL TO REDUCE EMPLOYEE EXPOSURE TO WITHIN PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMITS.      Step 2:  SUBMIT TO THE AREA DIRECTOR A WRITTEN, DETAILED PLAN OF ABATEMENR OUTLINING A SCHEDULE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ENGINEERING AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES TO CONTROL EMPLOYEE EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AS REFERENCED IN THIS CITATION.  THIS PLAN SHALL INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM, TARGET DATES FOR THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS WHICH MUST BE CONSISTANT WITH THE ABATEMENT DATES REQUIRED BY THIS CITATION:      (1)    EVALUATION OF ENGINEERING/ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OPTIONS;      (2)     SELECTION OF OPTIUM CONTROL METHODS AND COMPLETION OF DESIGN;      (3)    PROCUREMENT, INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF SELECTED CONTROL MEASURES; AND       (4)    TESTING AND ACCEPTANCE OR MODIFICATION/REDESIGN OF CONTROLS.      NOTE:   ALL PROPOSED CONTROL MEASURES SHALL BE APPROVED FOR EACH PARTICULAR USE BY A COMPETENT  INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST OR OTHER TECHNICALLY QUALIFIED PERSON.    NINETY- (90) DAY PROGRESS REPORTS ARE REQUIRED DURING THE ABATEMENT PERIOD.  (THE 90 DAY REQUIREMENT CAN BE SHORTENED OR LENGTHENED BY THE AREA DIRECTOR DEPENDING ON THE SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES.)      Step3:  ABATEMENT SHALL HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FEASIBLE ENGINEERING AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS UPON THE VERIFICATION OF THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IN ACHIEVING COMPLIANCE.      Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

2015-09-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-11-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 0640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(a)(2): A respirator was not provided by the employer to each employee when such equipment was necessary to protect the health of the employee:    a) Back lot of facility: An employee draining water and residual liquid chlorine mixture from one ton containers was exposed to approximately 240 parts chlorine per one million parts of air (ppm). This level is 240 times the permissible exposure limit for chlorine of 1 ppm as a ceiling limit which is not to be exceeded.  The employer had not provided the employee with respiratory protection on or about April 23, 2105.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.