OSHA Inspection: UNION TANK CAR COMPANY

Issued

Apr 6, 2016

Abate by

May 2, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(2): Ladderway floor opening(s) or platform(s) were not guarded by a standard railing with standard toeboard(s) on all exposed sides (except at the entrance to opening) with passage through the railing either provided with a swinging gate or so offset that a person could walk directly into the opening:    a) East side/Exterior Blasting Booth- On or about, and at times prior to October 27, 2015, the entry access for the ladders leading to the work platform for the exterior blasting booth was unguarded, thus exposing employees to a fall hazard of approximately 11.1 feet onto metal grating.    b) West side/Exterior Blasting Booth- On or about, and at times prior to October 27, 2015, the entry access for the ladders leading to the work platforms for the exterior blasting hood was unguarded, thus exposing employees to a fall hazard of approximately 11.1 feet onto metal grating.

Issued

Apr 6, 2016

Abate by

May 23, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $5,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(1): The exit route was not adequately lit so that an employee with normal vision could see along the exit route.     a) At the exterior blasting booth, on or about October 27, 2015 and at times prior to, emergency lighting was not provided for employees who worked in the area, resulting in a life safety hazard.

Issued

Apr 6, 2016

Abate by

May 2, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2): Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":     a) At the Interior Blasting Area, on or about October 27, 2015 and at times prior to, one exit door that provided for emergency exit discharge from the area was not identified with an EXIT sign, resulting in a life safety hazard.

Issued

Apr 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(6): Each exit sign was not illuminated to a surface value of at least five foot-candles (54 lux) by a reliable light source and be distinctive in color:     a) At the exterior blasting booth- On or about and at times prior to October 27, 2015, one exit door that provided for emergency exit discharge from the area was identified with an EXIT sign that was not appropriately illuminated, resulting in a life safety hazard.

Issued

Apr 6, 2016

Abate by

Oct 19, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $5,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(a)(2):   Other substances -- 8-hour Time Weighted Averages. An employee's exposure to any substance in Table Z-1, the exposure limit of which is not preceded by a "C", shall not exceed the 8-hour Time Weighted Average given for that substance any 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour work week.    a) Exterior Blasting Booth  On or about November 18, 2015 an employee who performed abrasive blasting on railcars was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust) at an 8 hour Time-Weighted Average level of 273.33764 mg/m3 (milligrams per cubic meter) which is approximately 18.2 times the Permissible Exposure Limit for total dust of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level is derived from a sample collected over a 329 minute sampling period.     b) Exterior Blasting Booth  On or about November 18, 2015 an employee who performed abrasive blasting on railcars was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust) at an 8 hour Time-Weighted Average level of 196.91201 mg/m3 (milligrams per cubic meter) which is approximately 13.1 times the Permissible Exposure Limit for total dust of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level is derived from a sample collected over a 321 minute sampling period.

Issued

Apr 6, 2016

Abate by

Oct 19, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(e): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not determined and implemented to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d):     a) Exterior Blasting Booth  On or about November 18, 2015 adequate engineering and administrative controls were not provided for an employee who performed abrasive blasting on railcars was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust) at an 8 hour Time-Weighted Average level of 273.33764 mg/m3 (milligrams per cubic meter) which is approximately 18.2 times the Permissible Exposure Limit for total dust of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level is derived from a sample collected over a 329 minute sampling period.     b) Exterior Blasting Booth  On or about November 18, 2015 adequate engineering and administrative controls were not provided for an employee who performed abrasive blasting on railcars was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust) at an 8 hour Time-Weighted Average level of 196.91201 mg/m3 (milligrams per cubic meter) which is approximately 13.1 times the Permissible Exposure Limit for total dust of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level is derived from a sample collected over a 321 minute sampling period.

Issued

Apr 6, 2016

Abate by

May 23, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $5,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(a)(4): Modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operation of powered industrial truck were performed by the employer without the manufacturer's prior written approval:  a) At the facility, on or about and at times prior to October 27, 2015, the employer did not obtain written manufacturer's approval when an attachment was used with a Hyster forklift truck (no nameplate) to move railcars throughout the facility, thus exposing employees to a struck-by and crush-by hazards.  b) At the facility, on or about and at times prior to October 27, 2015, the employer did not obtain written manufacturer's approval when an attachment was used with a Hyster forklift truck (Model: H100XL) to move railcars throughout the facility, thus exposing employees to a struck-by and crush-by hazards.

Issued

Apr 6, 2016

Abate by

May 23, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(a)(6): The employer did not ensure that all nameplates and markings were in place:   a) At the facility, on or about and at times prior to October 27, 2015, the employer did not ensure that all nameplates and markings were in place for a Hyster forklift truck that was used to move railcars throughout the facility,  exposing employees to a struck-by and crush-by hazards.

Issued

Apr 6, 2016

Abate by

May 23, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(3)(i)(G): Powered industrial truck operators did not receive initial training on fork and attachment adaptation, operation, and use limitations;    a) At the facility, on or about and at times prior to October 27, 2015, the employer failed to ensure that forklift operators were trained in safe operations including but not limited to not operating forklifts with attachments that did not receive the manufacturer's written approval, exposing employees to struck-by and crush-by hazards.