OSHA Inspection: PCC STRUCTURALS - GROTON

Issued

Feb 17, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(3): Employees were not given the opportunity to select their hearing protectors from a variety of suitable hearing protectors provided by the employer:  PRODUCTION AREAS:  On or about November 3, 2015, employees were exposed to noise levels in excess of 85 dBA.  They were only offered one type of hearing protection which does not necessarily accommodate all shapes of ear canals.

Issued

Feb 17, 2016

Abate by

Apr 4, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.101(b): The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, rail tankcars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks were not in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in CFR 1910.6:  COMPRESSED GAS STORAGE AREAS:  On or about November 11, 2015, several compressed gas cylinders were not secured and therefore were at risk of being struck by or knocked over by fork trucks and/or 55-gallon drums of waste.

Issued

Feb 17, 2016

Abate by

Apr 4, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(2)(ii): Flammable liquids were not stored in tanks or closed containers:  FINAL PROCESS INSPECTION/NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING (FPI/NDT):  On or about November 3, 2015, acetone, a Category 2 flammable liquid, was stored overnight in glass jars with holes in their lids thereby allowing acetone to spill and/or evaporate.  Jars were stored in employees' lockers and/or drawers of metal desks.  Flammable vapors resulting from the evaporation of the acetone may accumulate in the lockers and desk drawers exposing employees to possible fire and explosion hazards.

Issued

Feb 17, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,600 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:  WAX DEPARTMENT:  On or about September 18, 2015, employees who were required to dip wax molds into citric acid dip tanks wore safety glasses intended to protect them from impact rather than splash goggles thereby exposing them to possible eye injuries from splashing citric acid.

Issued

Feb 17, 2016

Abate by

Apr 4, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,950 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(h)(2)(i): Respirators were not stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals or  were not packed or stored to prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve:  STORAGE CABINET IN GATE GRIND DEPARTMENT:  On or about November 17, 2015, employees' full face respirators were observed to be stored in a cabinet in the Gate Grind Department with no protection from dust, dirt, or metal grindings potentially altering the respirator fit and/or exposing employees to skin irritation.  Additionally, no measures were taken to prevent damage to the facepiece.  Full face respirators were required to be worn by employees working in caustic rooms.

Issued

Feb 17, 2016

Abate by

Apr 4, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,250 Reduced

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:  LOW TEMPERATURE and HIGH TEMPERATURE CAUSTIC ROOMS:  On or about November 17, 2015, employees were exposed to potential chemical burns to their skin and eyes when working with concentrated corrosive liquids caustic rooms.   A.  In the low temperature caustic room, employees treated manufactured parts with concentrated potassium hydroxide, a corrosive liquid, to dissolve cores from the parts.  There was no emergency eye wash or quick drenching shower in the room where they were exposed.  B.  In the high temperature caustic room, employees treated manufactured parts with concentrated molten sodium hydroxide, a corrosive liquid.  There was no emergency eye wash in the room.

Issued

Feb 17, 2016

Abate by

Apr 4, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(c): Storage areas were not kept free from accumulation of materials that constituted hazards from tripping, fire, explosion or pest harborage:  MET and CHEMICAL LAB:  On or about September 18, 2015, incompatible chemicals were stored together in a cabinet.  The chemicals included, but were not limited to: ethanol, a flammable liquid, and nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, both strong oxidizers.  In addition, the shelves were lined with cardboard which is combustible.  Employees are exposed to explosion and fire hazards from unsafe storage of incompatible chemicals in a metal cabinet lined with cardboard.  Nitric acid and 30% hydrogen peroxide are strong oxidizers and can cause fire or explosion if they come into contact with the cardboard or ethanol.

Issued

Feb 17, 2016

Abate by

Apr 4, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,950 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii): Workplace labeling. The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with a product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals, and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, will provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical.  METALS AND CHEMISTRY LAB:  On or about September 18, 2015, inadequately labeled containers of etching reagents and waste acid were observed to be in use in the lab hood.  The hazards associated with the chemicals were not listed.  Hazardous chemicals in use included, but were not limited to: Kalling's Etch (hydrochloric acid, methanol, copper chloride, and water), Marble Reagent (copper sulfate, hydrochloric acid, and water), Swirly Gamma Etch (water, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and molybdic acid), and waste acid (a mixture of all of the above-mentioned reagents).

Issued

Feb 17, 2016

Abate by

Apr 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(4): Safeguard(s) designed to protect employees during an emergency (e.g., sprinkler systems, alarm systems, fire doors, exit lighting), were not in proper working order at all times:  SOUTHEAST EMERGENCY EXIT:  On or about November 17, 2015, the railings along the stairs and the ramp of the emergency exit at the southeast corner of the building were significantly corroded and would not withstand 200 pounds of force thereby exposing employees using this exit during an emergency to a fall risk.