OSHA Inspection: FLOTECH, INC.

Issued

2015-08-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2700.00 · Current $2160.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(c): Employees were exposed to an airborne concentration of chromium (VI) which exceeded 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air, as an 8-hour time-weighted average:    a. On or about July 7, 2015, an employee working as a welder using 410 stainless steel welding stick to repair a wedge for a gate valve was exposed to chromium (VI) at a time-weighted average (TWA) of 9.56 micrograms per cubic meter, 1.91 times the limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter. The sampling was performed for 60 minutes during one work shift. The employer did not ensure that employees were not exposed to an airborne concentration that exceeded 5 micrograms per cubic meter as an 8-hour TWA.

Issued

2015-08-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(l)(1): Evaluations of the workplace were not conducted to ensure the written respiratory protection program was being effectively implemented:  a. On or about July 7, 2015, an employee working as a welder using 410 stainless steel welding stick to repair a wedge for a gate valve was exposed to chromium (VI) at a time-weighted average (TWA) of 9.56 micrograms per cubic meter, 1.91 times the limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter. The sampling was performed for 60 minutes during one work shift. The employer did not ensure that the written respiratory protection program was being effectively implemented.

Issued

2015-08-26 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2700.00 · Current $2160.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(d)(1): The employer with a workplace or work operation covered by this standard did not determine the 8-hour time-weighted average exposure for each employee exposed to chromium (VI):    a. On or about July 7, 2015, in the Welding Area, the employer did not make an initial determination of the extent of Chromium (VI) exposure for an employee using 410 stainless steel welding sticks.

Issued

2015-08-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2700.00 · Current $2160.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(f)(1)(i): Feasible engineering controls and work practices were not instituted to reduce and maintain employee exposures to chromium (VI) at or below the permissible exposure limit:    a. On or about July 7, 2015, an employee working as a welder using 410 stainless steel welding stick to repair a wedge for a gate valve was exposed to chromium (VI) at a time-weighted average (TWA) of 9.56 micrograms per cubic meter, 1.91 times the limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter. The sampling was performed for 60 minutes during one work shift. The employer did not institute feasible engineering controls and work practices to reduce and maintain employees' exposure to chromium (VI) at or below 5 microgram per cubic meter as an 8-hour TWA.

Issued

2015-08-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(g)(1)(iv): The employer did not provide each employee an appropriate respirator during work operations where the employer had not implemented feasible engineering and work practice controls to achieve the permissible exposure limit for employees who were exposed above the permissible exposure limit for fewer than 30 days per year:  a. On or about July 7, 2015, an employee working as a welder using 410 stainless steel welding stick to repair a wedge for a gate valve was exposed to chromium (VI) at a time-weighted average (TWA) of 9.56 micrograms per cubic meter, 1.91 times the limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter. The sampling was performed for 60 minutes during one work shift. The employer did not ensure that employees were provide with the appropriate respirator.

Issued

2015-08-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2700.00 · Current $2160.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(l)(1)(iii): The employer did not include chromium (VI) in the hazard communication program, established to comply with the Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, ensure that each employee had access to labels on containers of chromium (VI) and to safety data sheets, and was trained in accordance with the requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard and 29 CFR 1910.1026:    a. On or about July 7, 2015, an employee working as a welder using 410 stainless steel welding stick to repair a wedge for a gate valve and the employer did not trained the employees on:    1. The health hazards associated with chromium (VI) exposure;  2. The location, manner of use and release of chromium (VI);  3. Engineering controls and work practices associated with the employee's job assignment;  4. Emergency procedures; and  5. Measures employees were to take to protect themselves.

Issued

2015-08-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(l)(2)(i)(A): The employer did not provide appropriate information and training for all employees exposed to chromium (VI), in that employees could not demonstrate knowledge of the contents of the Chromium (VI) standard, 29 CFR 1910.1026:  a. On or about July 7, 2015, in the Welding Area, an employee using 410 stainless steel welding sticks was exposed to Chromium (VI) at a time-weighted average of 9.56 micrograms per cubic meter, approximately 1.91 times the permissible exposure limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter, was not provided the required training and information.

Issued

2015-08-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(l)(2)(ii): The employer did not make a copy of the Chromium (VI) standard, 29 CFR 1910.1026, readily available to all employees who were exposed to chromium (VI):  a. On or about July 7, 2015, an employee working as a welder using 410 stainless steel welding stick to repair a wedge for a gate valve and the employer did not ensure that there was a copy of the hexavalent chromium standard readily available to all employees.

Issued

2015-08-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 0689

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 July 7, 2014, employees working as welders manufacturing carbon steel and stainless steel valves were potentially being exposed to welding fumes, fluxes, electrodes and rods made of chromium, chromium alloys, iron oxide, and other hazardous components and the employer had not provided information and training on the health and physical hazards of these hazardous chemicals at the time of initial employment.