OSHA Inspection: J. O'CONNOR L.L.C.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

May 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,200 · Current $1,320 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(2): Exit routes were not arranged so that employees will not have to travel toward a high hazard area, unless the path of travel is effectively shielded from the high hazard area by suitable partitions or other physical barriers:    SPRAY AREA    On, or about, November 9, 2015, an exit route was not arranged to prevent employees from traveling through high hazard areas. An energized fan used to exhaust flammable vapors associated with spray finishing was installed on the designated exit door.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

May 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:   SPRAY AREA  On, or about, November 9, 2015, access to the designated exit door which contained an installed, energized fan was obstructed by the fan's cord and required employees to unplug the fan to use the exit door.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

May 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:  SPRAY AREA  On, or about, November 9, 2015, the designated emergency exit door, was no longer functioned as designed. The UL listed fire resistance-rating was compromised due to the installed fan in the door.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,760 · Current $1,056 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:    WELDING    On, or about, December 3, 2015, a compressed gas cylinder, containing 75% helium and 25% argon, was not stored securely to prevent it from falling. (Ref. CGA P-1-1965 Section 3.3.1 referencing 2006 CGA P-1 Section 5.7.4.)

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,200 · Current $1,320 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(c)(2): Open flame or spark producing equipment was within a spraying area and/or within 20 feet thereof, was not separated by a partition:    SPRAY AREA    On, or about, November 9, 2015, a Baldor fan, (specification number 34M244R059), installed in an exit door, , used to exhaust flammable vapors located within 20 feet of spraying operations was not explosion proof. Employees used flammable chemicals such as, but not limited to, Polane T Polyurethane Enamel, whose flash point was 41 degrees Fahrenheit to spray coat metal parts.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(c)(6): Electrical wiring and equipment not subject to deposits of combustible residues but located in a spraying area as herein defined were not explosion-proof type approved for Class I, group D locations and did not otherwise conform to the provisions of subpart S of this part, for Class I, Division 1, Hazardous Locations:    SPRAY AREA    On, or about, November 9, 2015, a duplex electrical receptacle located within 20 feet of a spraying area was not explosion-proof. The receptacle was used to energize a Baldor fan.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

May 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,760 · Current $1,056 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(g)(3): Residue scrapings and debris contaminated with residue were not immediately removed from the premises and properly disposed. Approved metal waste cans were not provided wherever rags or waste were impregnated with finishing material; and all such rags or waste were not deposited therein immediately after use. The contents of waste cans were not properly disposed of at least once daily or at the end of each shift:    PAINT AREA    On, or about, November 9, 2015, approved metal waste cans were not provided. Rags impregnated with flammable materials, such as, but not limited to FINISH 1 Economy Thinner, were used and disposed of into uncovered, plastic, five-gallon buckets.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

May 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,760 · Current $1,056 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:     FACILITY    On, or about, November 9, 2015, the employer failed to implement a written respirator program when employees were required to wear:    a) 3M, 6001, half face, elastomeric respirators while applying spray coating materials  in the spraying area.    b) 3M, N95 particulate respirators while sanding metals in the finishing area.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

May 13, 2016

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 required to use the respirator in the workplace:  FACILITY  On, or about, November 9, 2015, the employer failed to medically evaluate employees to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator prior to being required to use the following:  a) a 3M, half face, elastomeric respirator while applying spray coating materials  in the spraying area. Employees in spray coating worked with chemicals such as isocyanates, thinners and lacquers.   b) a 3M, N95 particulate respirator while sanding metals in the finishing area. Finishing employees buffed, sanded and polished lead and copper containing metals.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

May 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator:    FACILITY  On, or about, November 9, 2015, the employer failed to fit test employees prior to initial use for the following:  a) a 3M, half face, elastomeric respirator while applying spray coating materials in the spraying area. Employees in spray coating worked with chemicals such as isocyanates, thinners and lacquers.   b) a 3M, N95 particulate respirator while sanding metals in the finishing area. Finishing employees buffed, sanded and polished lead and copper containing metals.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

May 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(3): Training was not provided prior to requiring employees to use a respirator in the workplace:   FACILITY  On, or about, November 9, 2015, the employer failed to train employees on respirator use when employees were required to wear:  a) 3M, 6001, half face, elastomeric respirators while applying spray coating materials  in the spraying area.  b) 3M, N95 particulate respirators while sanding metals in the finishing area.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,200 · Current $1,320 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1018(e)(1)(i): Determinations of airborne exposure levels were not made from air samples that were representative of each employee's exposure to inorganic arsenic over an eight -8 hour period:    FINISHING    On, or about, December 3, 2015, the employer failed to perform initial monitoring to determine employee exposure to airborne concentrations of inorganic arsenic over an 8-hour time weighted average when employees were required to sand copper alloy metal on a horizontal belt sander.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,200 · Current $1,320 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1592

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(d)(2): An initial determination was not made to determine if any employee may be exposed to lead at or above the action level:    FINISHING    On, or about, December 3, 2015, the employer failed to perform initial monitoring to determine if any employee was exposed to lead at or above the action level of 30 micrograms per cubic meter of air over an 8-hour time weighted average.      An employee sanding copper alloy metal on a horizontal belt sander was exposed to airborne lead at an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 34.3 micrograms per cubic meter of air, which exceeded the action level of 30 micrograms per cubic meter of air.  The exposure level was calculated from a sample collected over a 415 minute period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the 65 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

Jul 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,200 · Current $1,320 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1592

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(h)(1): All surfaces were not maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of lead:    FINISHING    On, or about, December 3, 2015, the employer failed to ensure that surface areas were maintained as free as practicable of lead accumulations. A work table near the horizontal belt sander was contaminated with 1552.97 micrograms of lead per square foot, which is 7.74 times HUD's acceptable level of decontamination of 200 micrograms of lead per square foot of floor area.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

Jul 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,200 · Current $1,320 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1592

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(j)(1)(i): A medical surveillance program was not instituted for all employee(s) who were, or could be exposed to lead above the action level for more than thirty days per year:      FINISHING    On, or about, December 3, 2015, the employer failed to institute a medical surveillance program consisting of periodic blood sampling and medical evaluation to be performed on a schedule which is defined by previous laboratory results, worker complaints or concerns, and the clinical assessment of the examining physician for employees occupationally exposed to lead above the action level for more than 30 days per year.      An employee sanding copper alloy metal on a horizontal belt sander was exposed to airborne lead at an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 34.3 micrograms per cubic meter of air, which exceeded the action level of 30 micrograms per cubic meter of air.  The exposure level was calculated from a sample collected over a 415 minute period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the 65 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

Jul 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1592

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(j)(2)(i): Required biological monitoring in the form of blood sampling and analysis for lead and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels were not provided to each employee covered under 29 CFR 1910.1025 (j)(1)(i):    FINISHING    On, or about, December 3, 2015, the employer failed to make available biological monitoring in the form of blood sampling and analysis for lead and zinc protoporphyrin levels to employees occupationally exposed to lead above the action level for more than 30 days per year.      An employee sanding copper alloy metal on a horizontal belt sander was exposed to airborne lead at an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 34.3 micrograms per cubic meter of air, which exceeded the action level of 30 micrograms per cubic meter of air.  The exposure level was calculated from a sample collected over a 415 minute period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the 65 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,200 · Current $1,320 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(l)(1)(i): Employee(s) working in an area where there is potential exposure to airborne lead at any level were not informed of the content of Appendices A and B of 29 CFR 1910.1025:       FINISHING    On, or about, December 3, 2015, the employer failed to inform employees of the contents of Appendices A and B of 29 CFR 1910.1025 when working in an area where an employee was exposed to 34.3 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air over an 8-hour time weighted average while sanding lead containing, copper alloy metal on a horizontal belt sander.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

May 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1592

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(l)(1)(ii): The employer did not train each employee who is subject to exposure to lead at or above the action level, or for whom the possibility of skin or eye irritation exists, in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1025:   FINISHING  On, or about, December 3, 2015, an employee sanding lead containing copper alloy metal on a horizontal belt sander was exposed to airborne lead at an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 34.3 micrograms per cubic meter, which exceeds the action level of 30 micrograms per cubic meter, was not trained on lead, in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1025. The exposure level was calculated from a sample collected over a 415 minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the 65 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

May 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1592

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(l)(2)(i): A copy of 29 CFR 1910.1025 and its appendices was not made readily available to all employees who had a potential exposure to airborne lead at any level:  FINISHING  On, or about, December 3, 2015, and employee sanding lead containing copper alloy metal on a horizontal belt sander was exposed to airborne lead at an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 34.3 micrograms per cubic meter of air was not provided with a copy of 29 CFR 1910.1025.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

Aug 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,200 · Current $1,320 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1592

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(m)(1)(iii): The employer did not include lead in the hazard communication program established to comply with the HCS (� 1910.1200), and the employer did not ensure that each employee had access to labels on containers of lead and to safety data sheets, and that employees were trained on lead in accordance with the requirements of HCS and paragraph (l) of this section:    FINISHING    On, or about, December 3, 2015, the employer failed to include lead in the hazard communication program established to comply with the HCS (� 1910.1200) when an employee was exposed to airborne lead at an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 34.3 micrograms per cubic meter, while sanding copper alloy metal with a horizontal belt sander.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

May 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2470

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:  FACILITY  On, or about, November 9, 2015,  the employer failed to develop, implement and maintain a written hazard communication program when employees were required to work with chemicals such as, but not limited to, Polane Catalyst, a spray coating material containing toluene-2,4 diisocyanate, which is a skin and respiratory sensitizer.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

May 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the appropriate hazard warnings:  PAINTING   On, or about, November 9, 2015, the employer failed to ensure that a small container of FINISH 1 Economy Thinner was labeled, tagged or marked with the appropriate hazard warning. FINISH 1 contains acetone, which is flammable and is a skin irritant.

Issued

Mar 29, 2016

Abate by

May 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,520 · Current $2,112 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(g)(5):  The path to ground from circuits, equipment, and enclosures was not permanent, continuous and effective:    MAIN FLOOR    On, or about, November 9, 2015, an orange extension cord, used to energize overhead fluorescent lights, used to illuminate the facility was missing its ground prong, exposing employees to electric shock hazards.      The CONNECTICUT METALWORKS, LLC (formerly known as J. O'Connor, LLC) was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard which was contained in OSHA inspection number 472642, citation number 1,  item number 6 and was affirmed as a final order on August 27, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at 309 Pane Road, Newington, Connecticut, 06111.