OSHA Inspection: VERLA INTERNATIONAL, LTD.

Issued

Apr 28, 2017

Abate by

May 8, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,465 · Current $5,502 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:    a). On or about 4/10/17, on site, near powder room (line 212), employees were instructed to use a fire exit door that was obstructed by a pallet storing plastic lids. The distance from the pallet to the electrical panel barrier was  measured as 14 inches.

Issued

Apr 28, 2017

Abate by

Jun 16, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $8,239 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(d)(4)(v): Containers over 30 gallons capacity were stacked one upon the other:    a). On or about 4/10/17, in the Building #2 Warehouse, 55 gallon drum containers containing Isopropyl Alcohol and nail lacquer, a Category 3 flammable liquid, were stored stacked on top of each other.

Issued

Apr 28, 2017

Abate by

Jun 2, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $8,239 Reduced

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 containers being electrically interconnected:    a). On or about 4/10/17, on site, in the batching area, employees were using an electrical motor to transfer ethanol , a category 3 flammable, from a 55 gallon drum into a large mixing blender. There was no grounding or bonding used from the drum to the pump.

Issued

Apr 28, 2017

Abate by

Jun 2, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,465 · Current $5,502 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation:    a). On or about 4/10/17, in Building #2 warehouse, employees are adding water to the battery of a forklift truck approximately once a week. Employees are potentially exposed to battery acid during this task. They were not provided with PPE to include rubber gloves, face shield, and a rubber apron.

Issued

Apr 28, 2017

Abate by

Jun 2, 2017

Penalty

Initial $9,959 · Current $6,473 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:    a). On or about 4/10/17, on site, for employees in batching. Employees are required to don a 3M 6000 full face respirator when mixing powders. The employer did not implement a respirator program to include a fit test, training, and a medical evaluation.    b). On or about 4/10/17, on site, for floor boys. Employees required to don 3M 8240 R95 when handling powders and chemicals throughout the day. The employer did not implement a respirator program to include a fit test, training, and a medical evaluation.

Issued

Apr 28, 2017

Abate by

Jun 2, 2017

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: Note: The employer may discontinue an employee's medical evaluations when the employee is no longer required to use a respirator.  a). On or about 4/10/17, on site, for employees in batching. Employees are required to don a 3M 6000 full face respirator when mixing powders. The employer did not provide a medical evaluation.  b). On or about 4/10/17, on site, for floor boys. Employees required to don 3M 8240 R95 when handling powders and chemicals throughout the day. The employer did not provide a medical evaluation.

Issued

Apr 28, 2017

Abate by

Jun 2, 2017

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:  a). On or about 4/10/17, on site, for employees in batching. Employees are required to don a 3M 6000 full face respirator when mixing powders. The employer did not implement a respirator program to include a fit test.  b). On or about 4/10/17, on site, for floor boys. Employees required to don 3M 8240 R95 when handling powders and chemicals throughout the day. The employer did not implement a respirator program to include a fit test.

Issued

Apr 28, 2017

Abate by

Jun 2, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k): The employer did not provide comprehensive, understandable training which did not occur annually and/or more often if necessary:  a). On or about 4/10/17, on site, for employees in batching. Employees are required to don a 3M 6000 full face respirator when mixing powders. The employer did not implement a respirator program to include training.  b). On or about 4/10/17, on site, for floor boys. Employees required to don 3M 8240 R95 when handling powders and chemicals throughout the day. The employer did not implement a respirator program to include training.

Issued

Apr 28, 2017

Abate by

Jun 2, 2017

Penalty

Initial $9,959 · Current $6,473 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:    a). On or about 4/10/17, in Building #2 warehouse, employees are adding water to the battery of a forklift truck approximately once a week. Employees are potentially exposed to battery acid during this task. They were not provided with an eye/wash shower on site.

Issued

Apr 28, 2017

Abate by

Jun 2, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(iii): The employer did not select PPE that properly fit each affected employee:  a). On or about 4/10/17, on site, for the employee that is required to don Safety Zone Latex gloves (powder free). An employee stated that the sizes provided do not fit the employee; therefore, the employee dons cloth gloves when working with powders and chemicals, such as nail lacquers, and isopropyl alcohol.

Issued

Apr 28, 2017

Abate by

Jun 2, 2017

Penalty

Initial $950 · Current $618 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(i): Selection of appropriate respirators was not based on the respiratory hazard(s) to which the worker was exposed and user factors that affect respirator performance and reliability:    a). On or about 4/10/17, on site, for floor boys. Employees required to don a 3M 8240 R95 when handling powders and chemicals throughout the day. An R95 is typically used for oil based particles. The employees are exposed to flammable liquids, dust, and other particulates, such as silica. Employees are not protected from these particulates for the amount of time they are exposed with an R95.

Issued

Apr 28, 2017

Abate by

Jun 2, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(ii): Employee training did not include the physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area:  a). On or about 11/9/16, on site, for the floor boys dispensing various chemicals, such as, but not limited to, Ethanol, Nail Lacquer and Isopropyl Alcohol. The employer's hazard communication training did not include hazards associated with using the chemicals.  b). On or about 11/9/16, on site, for the packaging employees filling bottles of product that contain chemicals, such as, but not limited to, Ethanol, Nail Lacquer and Isopropyl Alcohol. The employer's hazard communication training did not include hazards associated with using the chemicals.