OSHA Inspection: LEOTAUR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC.

Issued

Jan 22, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,640 · Current $1,320 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(6): At least annually after obtaining the baseline audiogram, the employer did not obtain a new audiogram for each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:    a.) Granite Counter Top Area - On or about December 9, 2015, An Employees, who was fabricating (grinding) granite counter tops were exposed to continuous noise at 129.9% of the daily exposure limit of 90 dBA or an eight hour time weighted average (TWA) noise exposure of 92.0 dBA. This exposure was observed occurring over a 472 minute sampling period on 12/9/15. A zero exposure was assumed for the 8 minutes not sampled.  The employee was not provided an annual audiogram as required by this section.    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

Jan 22, 2016

Abate by

Mar 31, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,200 · Current $1,100 Reduced

Hazardous substances 22808470

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k): The employer did not provide comprehensive, understandable respirator training annually and/or more often if necessary:    a.) Spray Booth -  On or about December 17, 2015, An employee was required to wear 3M elastomeric full face negative pressure cartridge type air purifying respirators while spray coating molds to protect them from chemical inhalation hazards.  The employee did not receive training as required under this section and was observed to store respirators improperly and wear respirators with facial hair preventing proper fit.    b.) Grinding - On or about October 14, 2015, An employee was required to wear a 3M elastomeric full face negative pressure cartridge type air purifying respirators while grinding finished products to protect them from  exposure to nuisance dust hazards. The employee did not receive training as required under this section and was observed to store respirators improperly and wear respirators with facial hair preventing proper fit.  .

Issued

Jan 22, 2016

Abate by

Mar 31, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,520 · Current $1,760 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95(k):    a.) Granite Counter Top Area - On or about December 9, 2015, Employees, who were fabricating (grinding) granite counter tops were exposed to continuous noise at 89.9% of the daily exposure limit of 90 dBA or an eight hour time weighted average (TWA) noise exposure of 89.2 dBA. This exposure was observed occurring over a 467 minute sampling period on 12/9/15. A zero exposure was assumed for the 13 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not provide training  required under this section.    The Leotaur Technologies Group, DBA Lehigh Surfaces was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 896067, citation number 1, item number 2d and was affirmed as a final order on August 6, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 111 Lehigh Street, Macungie, PA 18062.

Issued

Jan 22, 2016

Abate by

Mar 31, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(2): The training program was not repeated annually for each employee included in the hearing conservation program:    a.) Granite Counter Top Area - On or about December 9, 2015, Employees, who were fabricating (grinding) granite counter tops were exposed to continuous noise at 129.9% of the daily exposure limit of 90 dBA or an eight hour time weighted average (TWA) noise exposure of 92.0 dBA. This exposure was observed occurring over a 472 minute sampling period on 12/9/15. A zero exposure was assumed for the 8 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not provide the training required under this section.    The Leotaur Technologies Group, DBA Lehigh Surfaces was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 896067, citation number 1, item number 2d and was affirmed as a final order on August 6, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 111 Lehigh Street, Macungie, PA 18062.

Issued

Jan 22, 2016

Abate by

Feb 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,640 · Current $1,320 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8470

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(b)(3): Floors. The floor surface of a spray booth and operator's working area, if combustible, was not covered with noncombustible material of such character as to facilitate the safe cleaning and removal of residues:    a.) Spray Booth - On or about October 14, 2015, Employees spray coating molds were exposed to fire and burn hazards as the spray booth floor was covered with a cardboard (a combustible material).    The Leotaur Technologies Group, DBA Lehigh Surfaces was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.107.(b)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 896067, citation number 1, item number 1A and was affirmed as a final order on August 6, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 111 Lehigh Street, Macungie, PA 18062.

Issued

Jan 22, 2016

Abate by

Mar 31, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8470

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(b)(5)(i): The spraying operations were not designed, installed and maintained that the average air velocity over the open face of the booth (or booth cross section during spraying operations) shall be not less than 100 linear feet per minute. Visible gauges or audible alarm or pressure activated devices were not installed to indicate or insure that the required air velocity is maintained:    a.) Spray Booth - On or about December 17, 2015, an employee was spray coating sink molds with gel coat, a coating which was a flammable material. The average air velocity across the face of the booth was 51 feet per minute, exposing employee to burn and inhalation hazards.    b.) Spray Booth - On or about December 17, 2015, an employee was spray coating sink molds with gel coat, a flammable material. The average air velocity across the face of the booth was 51 feet per minute, exposing employee to burn and inhalation hazards and the visible airflow gauge (manometer) was not operating properly.    The Leotaur Technologies Group, DBA Lehigh Surfaces was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.107.(g)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 896067, citation number 1, item number 4 and was affirmed as a final order on August 6, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 111 Lehigh Street, Macungie, PA 18062.

Issued

Jan 22, 2016

Abate by

Feb 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8470

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(g)(2): All spraying areas were not kept as free from the accumulation of deposits of combustible residues as practical, with cleaning conducted daily if necessary and cleaning tools were not made with non-sparking material:  a.) Spray Booth - On or about October 14, 2015,  an Employee spray coating molds with gel coat, a flammable material, was exposed to fire and burn hazards as there was an accumulation of combustible residues on the booth interior walls, floors, and conveyors.  b.) Spray Booth - On or about October 14, 2015,  Employee who clean combustible accumulation off of the spray booth surfaces was exposed to fire and burn hazards from the use of regular metal tool to chip off the combustible accumulation.  The Leotaur Technologies Group, DBA Lehigh Surfaces was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.107.(g)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 896067, citation number 1, item number 3c and was affirmed as a final order on August 6, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 111 Lehigh Street, Macungie, PA 18062.

Issued

Jan 22, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $2,200 Reduced

Hazardous substances 22808470

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 required to use the respirator in the workplace:     a.) Spray Booth -  On or about December 17, 2015, Employees were required to wear 3M elastomeric full face negative pressure cartridge type air purifying respirators while exposed to the hazards of spray painting molds with a coating containing organic chemicals, and medical evaluations were not provided.     b.) Grinding - On or about October 14, 2015, An employee was required to wear a 3M elastomeric full face negative pressure cartridge type air purifying respirators while exposed to the hazards nuisance particulate dust while grinding finished product, and medical evaluation was not provided.     The Leotaur Technologies Group, DBA Lehigh Surfaces was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.134.(e)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 896067, citation number 1, item number 6a and was affirmed as a final order on August 6, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 111 Lehigh Street, Macungie, PA 18062.      No abatement certification or documentation required.

Issued

Jan 22, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 22808470

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(1): The employer did not ensure that employee(s) required to use a tight-fitting face piece respirator passed the appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT):  a.) Spray Booth -  On or about December 17, 2015, Employees were required to wear 3M elastomeric full face negative pressure cartridge type air purifying respirators while exposed to the hazards of spray painting molds with a coating containing organic chemicals, and an appropriate fit test was not provided.   b.) Grinding - On or about October 14, 2015, An employee was required to wear a 3M elastomeric full face negative pressure cartridge type air purifying respirators while exposed to the hazards nuisance particulate dust while grinding finished product, and an appropriate fit test was not provided.   The Leotaur Technologies Group, DBA Lehigh Surfaces was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.134.(f)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 896067, citation number 1, item number 6b and was affirmed as a final order on August 6, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 111 Lehigh Street, Macungie, PA 18062.

Issued

Jan 22, 2016

Abate by

Feb 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 22808470

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A): Respirators with tight-fitting face pieces were worn by employees who had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the face piece and the face or that interfered with valve function:  a.) Spray Booth -  On or about December 17, 2015, An employee was required to wear 3M elastomeric full face negative pressure cartridge type air purifying respirators while exposed to the hazards of spray painting molds with coating containing organic chemicals had facial hair that contacted the seal area of the respirator.  b.) Grinding - On or about October 14, 2015, An employee was required to wear a 3M elastomeric full face negative pressure cartridge type air purifying respirators while exposed to the hazards of exposure to nuisance dusts while grinding finished product had facial hair that contacted the seal area of the respirator.    The Leotaur Technologies Group, DBA Lehigh Surfaces was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.134.(g)(1)(I)(A), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 896067, citation number 1, item number 6c and was affirmed as a final order on August 6, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 111 Lehigh Street, Macungie, PA 18062.

Issued

Jan 22, 2016

Abate by

Feb 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 22808470

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 face piece and exhalation valve:  a.) Spray Booth -  On or about December 17, 2015, An employee was required to wear 3M elastomeric full face negative pressure cartridge type air purifying respirators while exposed to the hazards of spray painting molds set his respirator, uncovered and  face up on a box in the production area when it was not in use, where it could be contaminated with workplace dusts and chemicals.  b.) Grinding - On or about October 14, 2015, An employee was required to wear a 3M elastomeric full face negative pressure cartridge type air purifying respirators while exposed to the hazards grinding finished product set his respirator face up on a counter top when it was not in use where it could be contaminated with work place dusts and chemicals.  The Leotaur Technologies Group, DBA Lehigh Surfaces was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.134.(h)(2)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 896067, citation number 1, item number 6d and was affirmed as a final order on August 6, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 111 Lehigh Street, Macungie, PA 18062.

Issued

Jan 22, 2016

Abate by

Feb 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $2,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(b): Storage of material created a hazard:    a. Granite Inside Storage - On or about October 14, 2015, Employees were exposed to crushing hazards while working with heavy equipment such as powered industrial trucks around large granite and Marble slabs, weighing hundreds of pounds which were stored unsecured in A frames (racks).    The Leotaur Technologies Group, DBA Lehigh Surfaces was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.176.b, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 896067, citation number 1, item number 1A and was affirmed as a final order on August 6, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 111 Lehigh Street, Macungie, PA 18062.