OSHA Inspection: MICHELS CORPORATION

Issued

Feb 1, 2017

Abate by

Mar 8, 2018

Penalty

Initial $7,967 · Current $5,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 036015919135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.94(a)(4)(iii): The air exhausted from blast-cleaning equipment shall be discharged through dust collecting equipment. Dust collectors shall be set up so that the accumulated dust can be emptied and removed without contaminating other working areas.    On or about August 8, 2016, and at times prior to and thereafter, the employer did not ensure that the air exhausted from the blasting operations was discharged through dust collection equipment.

Issued

Feb 1, 2017

Abate by

Mar 8, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $7,000

Hazardous substances 0360

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(b)(1): Employee(s) were exposed to an airborne concentration of Beryllium listed in Table Z-2 in excess of the 8 hour Time Weighted Average concentration of 2 micrograms per cubic meter:    a) On October 19, 2016, a blast operator was exposed to an 8 hour time weighted average concentration of 6 micrograms per cubic meter of Beryllium, which is 3 times the permissible exposure limit of 2 micrograms per cubic meter 8 hour time weighted average.

Issued

Feb 1, 2017

Abate by

Mar 8, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 03609135

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):    The employer did not implement feasible engineering controls to achieve compliance with limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d).    a) On October 19, 2016, a blast operator was exposed to an 8 hour time weighted average concentration of 6 micrograms per cubic meter of Beryllium, which is 3 times the permissible exposure limit of 2 micrograms per cubic meter 8 hour time weighted average.    c) On October 19, 2016, a blast operator was exposed to an 8 hour time weighted average concentration of 558 milligrams per cubic meter of particulates not otherwise regulated - total dust, which is 37 times the permissible exposure limit of 15 milligrams per cubic meter 8 hour time weighted average.    General methods of control applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to the following:      1. Reevaluate the efficacy of the ventilation provided for the blast building.  Ensure that the ventilation meets or exceeds the most current recommendations outlined in the American National Standard Fundamentals Governing the Design and Operation of Local Exhaust System - ANSI Z9.2, and NFPA 91 Standard for Exhaust Systems for Air Conveying of Vapors, Gases, Mists and Noncombustible Particulate Solids.    2.  Verify that the blast building are operated and maintained per the manufacturer's instructions.    3.  Review work practices and placement of parts in relation to distance from capture ventilation, determining if placing parts closer to ventilation would reduce exposure levels.    Disclaimers:  1. The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested by OSHA;  2. The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases; and  3. The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an effective abatement.      ABATEMENT SCHEDULE:  STEP 1:  Effective respiratory protection shall be provided and used by exposed employees                       as an interim protective measure until feasible engineering controls can be               implemented or whenever such controls fail to reduce employee exposures to               within permissible exposure limits.                                                                                STEP 2:  A written detailed plan of abatement shall be submitted to the Area Director               outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering measures to control               employee exposures to hazardous substances as referenced in this citation.  This               plan shall include, at a minimum, target dates for the following actions which                must be consistent with abatement dates required by this citation:                 1. Evaluation of engineering control options;             2. Selection of optimum control methods and completion of design;             3. Procurement, installation, and operation of selected control measures; and             4. Testing and acceptance or modification/redesign of controls.                 NOTE: All proposed control measures shall be approved for each particular use             by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified person.      STEP 3:   Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible                engineering controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving                compliance.                   Date by Which Violation Must be Abated:  STEP-1    ISSUANCE DATE     Date by Which Violation Must be Abated:  STEP-2    30 DAYS FROM ISSUANCE    Date by Which Violation Must be Abated:  STEP-3    60 DAYS FROM ISSUANCE

Issued

Feb 1, 2017

Abate by

Mar 8, 2018

Penalty

Initial $7,967 · Current $5,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

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:    On or about October 19, 2016, and at times prior to, the employer did not conduct exposure monitoring for employees performing shot blasting operations to complete an initial determination of employee exposure to lead at or above the action level.    a) On October 19, 2016, a blast operator was exposed to and 8 hour time weighted average of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of lead, which is  1.6 times the action level of 30 micrograms per cubic meter time weighted average over an 8 hour period.

Issued

Feb 1, 2017

Abate by

Mar 8, 2018

Penalty

Initial $7,967 · Current $7,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

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:    On or about October 19, 2016, and at times prior to thereafter, the employer did not train each blast operator subject to exposure above the action level in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1025.    a) On October 19, 2016, a blast operator was exposed to an 8 hour time weighted average of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of lead, which is 1.6 times the action level of 30 micrograms per cubic meter time weighted average over an 8 hour period.