OSHA Inspection: HYDRO CARBIDE TOOL COMPANY

Issued

2017-04-04 00:00:00

Abate by

2017-10-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6338.00 · Current $4000.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0720

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(a)(2): Employee(s) were exposed to an airborne concentration of cobalt listed in Table Z-1 in excess of the 8 hour Time Weighted Average concentration of 0.1 mg/m3 of air:    a)  In the Ball Mill Room, on or about February 10, 2017 - An employee designated as a Ball Mill Room Operator was exposed to cobalt at a time weighted average exposure of 0.23 mg/m3.  This level is 2.3 times the permissible exposure limit of 0.1 mg/m3 as a time weighted average concentration.  Sampling was performed by an OSHA compliance officer on February 10, 2017 for 444 minutes and zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled portion of the shift.    b)  In the Pack and Press Area, on or about February 10, 2017 - An employee designated as an Operator was exposed to cobalt at a time weighted average exposure of 0.14 mg/m3.  This level is 1.4 times the permissible exposure limit of 0.1 mg/m3 as a time weighted average concentration.  Sampling was performed by an OSHA compliance officer on February 10, 2017 for 450 minutes and zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled portion of the shift.

Issued

2017-04-04 00:00:00

Abate by

2017-10-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 0720

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)  In the Ball Mill Room and the Pack and Press Areas, on or about February 10, 2017 - The employer did not implement feasible engineering or administrative controls when employees were exposed to cobalt above the permissible exposure limit.  (See description of employee exposures in Citation 1, Item 1a, Instances a and b).   Feasible engineering and administrative controls would include but not be limited to:  1.  In the Ball Mill Room, install a curtain or shroud in the screen cleaning area to contain the dust during screen cleaning operations;  2.  In the Ball Mill Room, keep the enclosure which houses the screen cleaning area clean from deposits of accumulated dust;  3.  In the Pack and Press Area, maintain the existing mechanical ventilation systems at work stations and evaluate increased ventilation;  and  4.  Instruct employees on work practices to minimize dust exposures.