OSHA Inspection: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES INC.

Issued

May 19, 2017

Abate by

Jan 2, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $6,338

Hazardous substances 1190

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1047(f)(1)(i): Feasible engineering controls and work practices were not instituted to reduce and maintain employee exposure to  ethylene oxide to or below the time weighted average    Medline Industries Inc. -  Feasible engineering controls and work practices were not instituted to reduce and maintain employee exposures ethylene oxide at or below the permissible exposure limit:    a) An employees in the coating department was exposed to ethylene oxide at an 8-hour time-weighted average level of 3.5 ppm, approximately 3 times the permissible exposure limit of 1ppm.    See instance description in item 1a of this citation.    Methods of engineering controls and work practices under these circumstances include, but are not limited to:      1) Increase the back-vent exhaust flow capacity and modify the back venting ventilation system in the sterilization chambers so as to reduce hot spots of higher concentrations ETO between the pallets. The modification involves installing two make up air plenums that run the lengths of the sterilizer these plenums allow fresh make up air into the sterilizer equally along its entire length.     2) Increase the number of air nitrogen washes after sterilization to remove residuals from the product and lower ETO concentrations in the sterilization prior to opening the chamber.      3) Install sterilization chamber door interlocks tied to direct monitoring instrumentation that would prevent door opening above the prescribed concentration maximum.     Abatement Schedule:    Step 1: 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 options;  2. Selection of optimum control methods and completion of design;  3. Procurement, installation, and operation of selected controls measures; and  4. Testing and acceptance or modifications/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.    Abatement Date: July 5, 2017    Step 2: Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance.    Abatement Date: August, 5 2017

Issued

May 19, 2017

Abate by

Jan 2, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,054 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1190

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1047(c)(1): Employees were exposed to an airborne concentration of ethylene oxide in excess of one part per million an eight-hour time-weighted average:    The employer did not ensure that employee exposure to Ethylene Oxide did not exceed 1 parts per million (ppm) of air, as an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA).     a)Medline Industries Inc. - A material handler in sterilization department was exposed to Ethylene Oxide as an 8-hour time-weighted average level of 3.56 ppm, approximately 3.5 times the permissible exposure limit of 1 ppm. This limit is established to prevent sensitization and irritation of eyes and respiratory tract,  reproductive effects, central nervous system depression, neurological effects and cancer (leukemia).    The sampling was performed for 475 min during one shift on February 9, 2017. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time of 5 minutes.    b)Medline Industries Inc.-  An supervisor in sterilization department was exposed to Ethylene Oxide at an 8-hour time-weighted average level of 3.26 ppm, approximately 3.2 times the permissible exposure limit of 1 ppm. This limit is established to sensitization and irritation of eyes and respiratory tract, reproductive effects, central nervous system depression, neurological effects and cancer (leukemia).    The sampling was performed for 471 min during one shift on February 9, 2017. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time of 9 minutes.

Issued

May 19, 2017

Abate by

Jan 2, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,054 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1190

General-duty citation text

29 CPR 1910.119(e)(3)(i): The process hazard analysis did nor address the hazards of the process:    a)     Medline Industries Inc. - On or about November 22, 2016, the process hazard analysis dated December 17,2013  did not address the hazards of a power failure.       b)     Medline Industries Inc. - On or about November 22, 2016, the process hazard analysis dated December 17, 2013 (PHA) did not address the hazards associated with the ANGUIL Catalytic converter system.