OSHA Inspection: APPCO PHARMACEUTICALS

Issued

Sep 10, 2015

Abate by

Oct 6, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,380 · Current $1,547 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii):   Procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(A), (c)(4)(ii)(B), (c)(4)(ii)(C) and (c)(4)(ii)(D)(h):    a/ APPCO Pharmaceuticals/Somerset NJ Site:  Plant/Maintenance Areas.  At the time of this inspection the sites lockout procedure had not been completed, in that, specific steps to de-energize the equipment/machinery, control of locking devices, authorized maintenance employees/helpers, rules and techniques were not developed and documented.    Machinery/equipment including but not limited to Tablet Machines, Granulators, and V-Blenders.    Observed on/or about 08/14/2015.

Issued

Sep 10, 2015

Abate by

Sep 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(5)(i): Locks, tags, chains, wedges, key blocks, adapter pins, self-locking fasteners, or other hardware were not provided by the employer for isolating, securing or blocking of machines or equipment from energy sources:  a/ APPCO Pharmaceuticals/Somerset NJ Site:  Plant/Maintenance Areas.  At the time of this inspection the employer had not provided the required number of locks, keys, hasp and means to identify locking devices to accommodate more than one person performing work, in that the operators are responsible for maintaining their machines. Machinery/equipment including but not limited to Tablet Machines, Granulators, and V-Blenders.  Observed on/or about 08/14/2015.

Issued

Sep 10, 2015

Abate by

Oct 6, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,380 · Current $1,547 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c):  Equipment, wiring methods, and installations of equipment in hazardous Class II, Division II locations were not intrinsically safe, or approved for the hazardous Class Division II location, or safe for the hazardous Class II Division II location:     a/ APPCO Pharmaceuticals/Somerset NJ Site: Production Area. The "Ridgid"vacuum cleaner used to collect dust was not approved for the location where there is a potential for hazardous combustible dust to be present.    An approved vacuum cleaner rated Class II and/or other approved means were not used to prevent a fire/explosion hazard in a Class II Division II location.    Observed  on/or about 08/14/2015.     REFERENCE:   NFPA 499 Classification of Combustible Dusts and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas 2008 Edition  Chapter 5 Section 5.3  NFPA 654 Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids 2006 Edition  Chapter 6 Section 6.6  NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace - Article 440.4   29 CFR 1910.307 General Industry Code of Regulations

Issued

Sep 10, 2015

Abate by

Oct 6, 2015

Penalty

Initial $595 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2):  The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment:    a/ APPCO Pharmaceuticals/Somerset NJ Site: Production/Warehouse/Research and Development.The hazard assessment to identify potential hazards permanent and temporary employees would be exposed to was not documented and certified to ensure that all required personal protective equipment had been selected and made available where needed. Employees are exposed to hazards associated with (including but not limited to) handling pharmaceutical chemicals, packages/boxes and operating production machinery.    Observed on/or about 08/14/2015.

Issued

Sep 10, 2015

Abate by

Oct 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 was required to use the respirator in the workplace:   a/ APPCO Pharmaceuticals/Somerset NJ Site:  Plant/Production Areas.  Permanent and temporary workers who wear and/or are required to wear tight-fitting (rubber seal) negative pressure respirators for protection against hazardous chemicals and air particulates were not provided a medical evaluation prior to their use of respirators.   Condition observed on about 08/14/15.