OSHA Inspection: HEXA AMERICAS, INC.

Issued

Jul 13, 2016

Abate by

Jul 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

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) Hexa Americas, Inc. Sidney, Ohio; On or about February 2, 2016 the employer failed to provide employees with medical evaluations who were required to wear half mask elastomeric respirators. Employees were exposed to pulmonary and cardiovascular stresses.

Issued

Jul 13, 2016

Abate by

Jul 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  a) Hexa Americas, Inc. Sidney, Ohio; On or about February 2, 2016 the employer failed to assure that respirators were being stored in a manner to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals and ensure that they are packed or stored to prevent deformation of the face piece and exhalation valve. Tight fitting half-mask elastomeric and filtering-face piece respirators were observed hanging on electrical switches and shelving units located in the mixing department on the fourth floor. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with carbon black and particulates not otherwise regulated in that failure to store respirators properly can result in diminished or compromised function of the respirators.

Issued

Jul 13, 2016

Abate by

Jul 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A): Respirators with tight-fitting facepieces were worn by employees who had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interfered with valve function:  a) Hexa Americas, Inc. Sidney, Ohio; on or about February 2, 2016 the employer failed to assure those employees who were required to wear half-mask elastomeric respirators were clean shaven to allow a good facepiece to skin seal. Employees were exposed to dry powders that were composed of chemicals such as, but not limited to, carbon black and particulates not otherwise classified.

Issued

Jul 13, 2016

Abate by

Jul 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $2,100

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(p)(1): Powered industrial truck(s) found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe had not been  taken out of service until restored to safe operating condition(s):  a) Hexa Americas, Inc. Sidney Ohio; One or about February 2, 2016, the employer failed to ensure that  fork trucks that were in need of repair were taken out of service until they could be restored to a safe operating condition. The Komatsu P01 forklift was observed to not be equipped with a seatbelt. Employees were exposed to struck against and caught between hazards in the event of an accident.

Issued

Jul 13, 2016

Abate by

Jul 26, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7): Powered industrial truck(s) which were used on a round-the-clock basis were not examined for defects after each shift:  a) Hexa Americas, Inc. Sidney Ohio; One or about February 2, 2016, the employer failed to assure powered industrial vehicles were examined for conditions that adversely affect the forklift's safety before being operated. Employees operate propane powered forklifts to move material and product, up to 1800 lbs., throughout the facility and were exposed to struck-by and caught-in-between hazards.