OSHA Inspection: FREEDOM ALLOYS, INC.

Issued

Nov 18, 2016

Abate by

Dec 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,240 · Current $2,140 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4): Work rest(s) on grinding machinery were not adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one eighth inch:     a) IBC Advanced Alloys - On or about September 15, 2016, employees sharpening chisels were exposed to struck-by hazards from a Dayton 8" bench grinder, that did not have the work rest adjusted to within 1/8 inch of the abrasive grinding wheel.        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

Nov 18, 2016

Abate by

Jun 21, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,300 · Current $2,650 Reduced

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(TWA) - Permissible Exposure Limit(PEL) concentration of 0.002 milligrams per cubic meter:    a) IBC Advanced Alloys - On or about September 15, 2016, an employee, Foundry Worker, was exposed to beryllium  at an eight hour time weighted average exposure of 0.0051 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  This exposure is 2.56 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.002 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  This exposure occurred over a 420 minute sampling period with a zero exposure assumed for the 60 minutes of the eight hour day not sampled.    b) IBC Advanced Alloys - On or about September 15, 2016, an employee, Foundry Worker, was exposed to beryllium at an eight hour time weighted average of 0.0029 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  This level is 1.45 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.002 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  This exposure occurred over a 420 minute sampling period with a zero exposure assumed for the 60 minutes of the eight hour day not sampled.    c) IBC Advanced Alloys - On or about September 15, 2016, an employee, Foundry Worker, was exposed to  beryllium at an eight hour time weighted average of 0.0041 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  This level is 2.05 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.002 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  This exposure occurred over a 360 minute sampling period with a zero exposure was assumed for the 120 minutes of an eight hour day not sampled.    Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Nov 18, 2016

Abate by

Jun 21, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0360

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(b)(2): Employee(s) were exposed to an airborne concentration of beryllium listed in Table Z-2 in excess of the ceiling concentration of .005 milligrams per cubic meter:    a) IBC Advanced Alloys - An employee, Foundry Worker, was exposed to 0.006 milligrams beryllium per cubic meter of air averaged over a 120 minute sampling period.  This level is 1.2 times the ceiling concentration limit of 0.005 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  This exposure occurred over a 120 minute sampling period on September 15, 2016.    b) IBC Advanced Alloys - An employee, Foundry Worker, was exposed to 0.0058 milligrams beryllium per  per cubic meter of air averaged over a 420 minute sampling period.  This level is 1.17 times the ceiling concentration limit of 0.005 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  This exposure occurred over a 420 minute sampling period on September 15, 2016.    Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Nov 18, 2016

Abate by

Jun 21, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0360

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) IBC Advanced Alloys - On or about September 15, 2016, an employee, Foundry Worker, was exposed to beryllium  at an eight hour time weighted average exposure of 0.0051 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  This exposure is 2.56 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.002 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  This exposure occurred over a 420 minute sampling period with a zero exposure assumed for the 60 minutes of the eight hour day not sampled.    b) IBC Advanced Alloys - On or about September 15, 2016, an employee, Foundry Worker, was exposed to beryllium at an eight hour time weighted average of 0.0029 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  This level is 1.45 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.002 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  This exposure occurred over a 420 minute sampling period with a zero exposure assumed for the 60 minutes of the eight hour day not sampled.    c) IBC Advanced Alloys - On or about September 15, 2016, an employee, Foundry Worker, was exposed to  beryllium at an eight hour time weighted average of 0.0041 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  This level is 2.05 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.002 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  This exposure occurred over a 360 minute sampling period with a zero exposure was assumed for the 120 minutes of an eight hour day not sampled.    d) IBC Advanced Alloys - An employee, Foundry Worker, was exposed to 0.006 milligrams beryllium per cubic meter of air averaged over a 120 minute sampling period.  This level is 1.2 times the ceiling concentration limit of 0.005 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  This exposure occurred over a 120 minute sampling period on September 15, 2016.    e) IBC Advanced Alloys - An employee, Foundry Worker, was exposed to 0.0058 milligrams beryllium per  per cubic meter of air averaged over a 420 minute sampling period.  This level is 1.17 times the ceiling concentration limit of 0.005 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  This exposure occurred over a 420 minute sampling period on September 15, 2016.    Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their  representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.    Feasible abatement methods include but are not limited to:    1)  Redesign of current hoods located above #3 furnace such that ventilation is more localized in relation to the operation.

Issued

Nov 18, 2016

Abate by

Dec 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 03600731

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each employee could demonstrate knowledge of why the respirator was necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance could compromise the protective effect of the respirator:  a) IBC Advanced Alloys - On or about September 8, 2016, employees were required to wear full-face elastomeric respirator to protect them from inhalation hazards of copper and beryllium fume and the employer did not provide effective training on the required training elements of this section in that employees were not aware of proper cleaning, storage and cartridge change procedures.  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

Nov 18, 2016

Abate by

Dec 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,300 · Current $2,650 Reduced

Hazardous substances C141

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1027(j)(4)(ii): The employer did not ensure that employees do not enter lunchroom facilities with protective work clothing or equipment without the surface cadmium being removed from the clothing and equipment by HEPA vacuuming or some other method that removes cadmium dust without dispersing it:    a)  IBC Advanced Alloys - On or about September 2, 2016, employees performing furnace activities for melting and pouring cadmium/copper billets, were provided and required to wear protective uniforms.  The employees were entering the break/lunch room without removing surface cadmium contamination from the protective clothing  exposing employees to the health hazards associated with cadmium.     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

Nov 18, 2016

Abate by

Dec 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances C141

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1027(k)(1):  Surfaces were not maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of cadmium:  a)  IBC Advanced Alloys - On or about September 15, 2016, employees were exposed to the health hazards associated with cadmium, in that surface contamination for cadmium existed on various surfaces in the bath/shower room, clean clothes locker room, and break/lunch room.    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.