OSHA Inspection: FMI-EPS, LLC

Issued

2015-06-30 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5390.00 · Current $3500.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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.    a) On or about May 1, 2015 or prior thereto, in the Production Area:  Employees were using a Shrinkfast 998 UL propane torch to shrink wrap plastic around Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) blocks intended for marine uses.  Employee use of the Shrinkfast torch created a fire hazard by exposing combustible EPS to a flame above its auto-ignition temperature.  The temperature of the Shrinkfast flame is rated over 1100 degrees Fahrenheit per Shrinkfast technical specifications.   The auto-ignition temperature of EPS per the MSDS is 850 degrees Fahrenheit.   This operation was conducted inside the Production Area, adjacent to storage of EPS blocks stored over 20 feet high.      Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.

Issued

2015-06-30 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5390.00 · Current $3500.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(a):  Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, was not provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.    a) On or about May 1, 2015 or prior thereto, in the Production Area:  Employees were using a Shrinkfast 998 UL torch to shrink wrap plastic, and were not wearing eye or face protection.  The temperature of the torch is rated at over 1100 degrees Fahrenheit.    Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.

Issued

2015-06-30 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1):  The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or were likely to be present, which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).   a) On or about May 1, 2015 or prior thereto, in the Production Area:  The employer did not assess the workplace for PPE required during the Shrinkfast torch operation.  b) On or about May 1, 2015 or prior thereto, in the Production Area:  The employer did not assess the workplace for PPE required during fire fighting response activities from hot wire cutting of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS).  c) On or about May 1, 2015 or prior thereto, in the Production Area:  The employer did not assess the workplace for PPE required during fire fighting responses to potential fires from the Shrinkfast torch operations in the Production Area.  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.

Issued

2015-06-30 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a):  Employers did not select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.  a) On or about May 1, 2015 or prior thereto, in the Production Area:  Employees were using a Shrinkfast 998 UL torch to shrink wrap plastic, and were not wearing protection on the hand holding the torch.  The temperature of the torch is rated at over 1100 degrees Fahrenheit.  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.

Issued

2015-06-30 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.156(e)(1)(ii): The employer did not assure that protective clothing protects the head, body, and extremities, and consists of at least the following components: foot and leg protection; hand protection; body protection; eye, face and head protection.  a) On or about May 1, 2015 or prior thereto, in the Production Area:  The employer did not provide protective clothing for fire fighting response activities from fires from hot wire cutting of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), or from fires from the Shrinkfast torch operation in the Production Area.  Periodic fires to EPS have occurred from both activities.  Employees engaged in fire fighting activities on May 1, 2015 did not have proper fire fighting gear.  Abatement documentation and certification are required for this operation.

Issued

2015-06-30 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5390.00 · Current $3500.00 Reduced

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; this evaluation did not include a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazard(s) and an identification of the contaminant's chemical state and physical form. Where the employer cannot identify or reasonably estimate the employee exposure, the employer did not consider the atmosphere to be IDLH.    a) On or about May 1, 2015 or prior thereto, in the Production Area:  The employer did not assess the workplace for respiratory protection required during fire fighting response activities from hot wire cutting of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), or from fires from the Shrinkfast torch operation in the Production Area.  Periodic fires to EPS have occurred from both activities combined.  Employees engaged in fire fighting activities on May 1, 2015 covered their mouths with wet shirts as respiratory protection to protect themselves from the thick black smoke from burning EPS foam.    Abatement documentation and certification are required for this operation.

Issued

2015-06-30 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.156(f)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that respirators are provided to, and used by, each fire brigade member, and that the respirators meet the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134 for each employee required by this section to use a respirator.  a) On or about May 1, 2015 or prior thereto, in the Production Area:  The employer did not provide respirators for fire fighting response activities from fires from hot wire cutting of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), or from fires from the Shrinkfast torch operation in the Production Area.  Periodic fires to EPS have occurred from both activities combined.  Employees engaged in fire fighting activities on May 1, 2015 covered their mouths with wet shirts as respiratory protection, and were not provided self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA's) for responders.  Abatement documentation and certification are required for this operation.

Issued

2015-06-30 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5390.00 · Current $3500.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.156(c)(1): The employer did not provide training and education for all fire brigade members commensurate with those duties and functions that fire brigade members are expected to perform. Such training and education was not provided to fire brigade members before they perform fire brigade emergency activities.       a) On or about May 1, 2015 or prior thereto, in the Production Area:  The employer did not provide training for fire fighting response activities from EPS fires from hot wire cutting of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), or from fires from the Shrinkfast torch operation in the Production Area.  Periodic fires to EPS have occurred from both activities combined.  Employees engaged in fire fighting activities on May 1, 2015 were not provided fire fighting training on the hazards of fighting EPS foam fires.    Abatement documentation and certification are required for this operation.

Issued

2015-06-30 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(1): The employer has provided portable fire extinguishers for employee use in the workplace, and the employer has not provided an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting.  a) On or about May 1, 2015 or prior thereto, in the Production Area:  The employer did not provide training for fire fighting response activities with ABC fire extinguishers.   Fires from hot wire cutting of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), or from fires from the Shrinkfast torch operation have occurred in the Production Area.    Abatement documentation and certification are required for this operation.

Issued

2015-06-30 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(2): The employer did not provide the education required in paragraph (g)(1) of this section upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter.  a) On or about May 1, 2015 or prior thereto, in the Production Area:  The employer did not provide training for fire fighting response activities with ABC fire extinguishers.   Fires from hot wire cutting of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), or from fires from the Shrinkfast torch operation have occurred in the Production Area.   Abatement documentation and certification are required for this operation.

Issued

2015-06-30 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(iii): The employer did not effectively train employees in measures they can take to protect themselves from hazards, including specific procedures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment to be used.  a) On or about May 1, 2015 or prior thereto, in the Production Area:   During the shrink wrap process, a fire was started on an adjacent stack of EPS blocks.    Employees working in the Production Area on May, 1, 2015 used fire extinguishers, and standpipe hoses to fight the 25 foot high fire.  For respiratory protection, employees used wet shirts to cover their mouths.   The MSDS authored by FMI-EPS, LLC on Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) states that special fire fighting instructions include, "use approved self-contained breathing apparatus respirator and personal protective clothing."  Employees received inadequate hazard communication on the hazards of EPS and corresponding protective measures in the case of a fire.  Abatement documentation and certification are required for this operation.

Issued

2015-06-30 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(b):   Bags, containers, bundles, etc., stored in tiers were not stacked, blocked, interlocked and limited in height so that they are stable and secure against sliding or collapse.  a) On or about May 6, 2015 or prior thereto:  Stacks of Expanded Polystyrene blocks were stored in an unstable manner in the Production Area.  These blocks were stored adjacent to Garage #6.  Abatement certification is required for this item.

Issued

2015-06-30 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(ii): Training did not consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.  a) On or about May 1, 2015 or prior thereto, in the Production Area:  Employees operated Toyota powered industrial trucks in the workplace and had not received classroom instruction.  Abatement certification is required for this item.