OSHA Inspection: LABORATORY TOPS, INC.

Issued

Apr 12, 2017

Abate by

Apr 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,432 · Current $5,432

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(2)(iv)(d): Flammable liquids were not drawn from or transferred into vessels, containers, or portable tanks within a building only through a closed piping system, from safety cans, by means of a device drawing through the top, or from a container or portable tanks by gravity through an approved self-closing valve:  On or about January 10, 2017, in the fabrication department, employees were dispensing SA-78 and TBAC , flammable liquids, into smaller containers to clean counter tops from 55 gallon drums that were not equipped with self-closing valves, exposing employees to a burn hazard.

Issued

Apr 12, 2017

Abate by

Apr 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $12,675

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(i): Adequate precautions were not taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors:  a) On or about November 2, 2016, in the sinks department, employees were using SA-78 paint thinner, a flammable liquid, to clean mold residue off hot surfaces (sink molds). Employees are exposed to a burn hazard.    b) On or about November 2, 2016, in the sinks department, employees were using SA-78 paint thinner, a flammable liquid, to clean sink molds where open flames were present in the gas ovens. Employees exposed to a burn hazard.   c) On or about November 7, 2016, in the grading department, employees were using Tert Butyl Acetate (TBAC), a flammable liquid, to wipe off hot surfaces on counter tops. Employees exposed to a burn hazard.

Issued

Apr 12, 2017

Abate by

Apr 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $12,675

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(ii): Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 degree F (37.8 degree C), were dispensed into containers without the nozzle and containers being electrically interconnected:  a) On or about November 2, 2016, in the grading and sink departments, employees are transferring SA-78DH and DC-20 flammable liquids into small metal containers without the containers being grounded and bonded. Employees exposed to the hazard of being burned from a fire.   b) On or about November 7, 2016, in the grading department, employees were dispensing TBAC flammable liquid from five-gallon metal containers to the red metal sinks without the containers and/or sinks being bonded. Employees exposed to the hazard of being burned from a fire.

Issued

Apr 12, 2017

Abate by

Apr 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $10,864 · Current $10,864

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(9)(iii): Combustible waste material and residues in a building or unit operating area were not kept to a minimum, stored in covered metal receptacles and disposed of daily:  On or about November 7, 2016, in the grading department, absorbent pads used by employees to wipe down counter tops were soaked with Tert Butyl Acetate (TBAC), a flammable liquid, and were stored in red cans without a cover. Employees are exposed to a burn hazard from the flammable vapors igniting.

Issued

Apr 12, 2017

Abate by

Apr 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $12,675

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4): When the employer decided that its employees would enter permit spaces, the employer did not develop and implement a written permit space entry program that complied with: 1910.146(d)(2), Identify and evaluate the hazards of permit spaces before employees enter them; 1910.146(d)(5)(ii), Test or monitor the permit space as necessary to determine if acceptable entry conditions are being maintained during the course of entry operations; 1910.146(d)(8), Designate the persons who are to have active roles (as, for example, authorized entrants, attendants, entry supervisors, or persons who test or monitor the atmosphere in a permit space) in entry operations, identify the duties of each such employee, and provide each such employee with the training required by paragraph (g) of this section; 1910.146(d)(9), Develop and implement procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services, for rescuing entrants from permit spaces, for providing necessary emergency services to rescued employees, and for preventing unauthorized personnel from attempting a rescue; 1910.146(d)(10, Develop and implement a system for the preparation, issuance, use, and cancellation of entry permits as required by this section; 1910.146(d)(12), Develop and implement procedures (such as closing off a permit space and canceling the permit) necessary for concluding the entry after entry operations have been completed; 1910.146(d)(14), Review the permit space program, using the canceled permits retained under paragraph (e)(6) of this section within 1 year after each entry and revise the program as necessary, to ensure that employees participating in entry operations are protected from permit space hazards; 1910.146(e)(2), Before entry begins, the entry supervisor identified on the permit shall sign the entry permit to authorize entry.  On or about January, 11, 2017, in the casting department, employees are routinely entering and cleaning five mixing tanks containing a hardened resin mix that is required to be chiseled out without the employer developing and implementing a written permit space program.

Issued

Apr 12, 2017

Abate by

Apr 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2): The employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces:  On or about January 11, 2017, in the casting department, danger signs were not posted on the new mixing tanks where employees could enter a permit-required confined space.

Issued

Apr 12, 2017

Abate by

Apr 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,432 · Current $5,432

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(D): Lockout devices and tagout devices did not indicate the identity of the employee applying the device(s):  On or about January 11, 2017, in the casting department, locks being applied by employees performing cleaning operations in the mixing tanks did not indicate the identity of the employee applying the locks, exposing employees to hazards such as, but not limited to electric shock, engulfment and/or inhalation.

Issued

Apr 12, 2017

Abate by

Apr 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $9,054 · Current $9,054

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(4)(i): Lockout or tagout devices were not affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees:  On or about October 25, 2016, in the casting and sink department, employees performing cleaning operations at the mixing stations are required to wipe the resin product off the mixer blades without locking out the equipment, exposing employees to the hazard of unexpected startup and being caught-in the mixing blade.

Issued

Apr 12, 2017

Abate by

Apr 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,432 · Current $2,398 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(iii): An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance was not being conducted at least once every three years:    On or about October 25, 2016, in the maintenance department, employees are required to operate a forklift to perform their duties. The employees did not have a three year refresher training, exposing employees the hazard of being struck-by the load and/or the lift.

Issued

Apr 12, 2017

Abate by

Apr 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $12,675

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:    On or about October 25, 2016, in the casting and sink department, employees working at the mixing stations were exposed to the rotating mixing blades when they removed the mixer from the barrel/bucket. Employees were exposed to the hazard of being caught-in the rotating mixing blades.

Issued

Apr 12, 2017

Abate by

Apr 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $9,054 · Current $9,054

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(3): Vertical or inclined shafting seven 7 feet or less from floor or working platform was not enclosed with stationary casing(s):  On or about November 7, 2016, in the casting department, employees are required to clean, inspect, maintain and unclog vent holes on the system three mixing tank on a daily basis and were exposed to three unguarded, rotating shafts. Employees exposed to the hazard of being caught-in the rotating shafts.

Issued

Apr 12, 2017

Abate by

Apr 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $12,675

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven 7 feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:  On or about October 25, 2016, in the casting department, employees work in and around the unguarded chains and sprockets when pouring the resin mix and replacing the paper at the gel molds. Employees exposed to the hazard of being caught-in the rotating chain and sprockets.

Issued

Apr 12, 2017

Abate by

Apr 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $45,270 · Current $12,675 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed:    On or about October 25, 2016, in the plant, energy control procedures were not reviewed on an annual basis to ensure the procedures and requirements of the standard were being followed. Employees exposed to the hazards associated with unexpected start-up of machinery or equipment.     The Durcon Incorporated was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1044299, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on April 20, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 206 Allison Drive Taylor, TX 76574.