OSHA Inspection: H.B. FULLER COMPANY

Issued

Aug 25, 2017

Abate by

Sep 25, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $10,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i): Unprotected sides and edges.  Except as provided elsewhere in this section, the employer must ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall protection systems.    On or about March 22, 2017, employees were exposed to 12 foot fall hazards when the employer required the employees to access and traverse across the tops of forty thousand pound storage tanks to check overflow amount.  The employer did not require the use of fall protection.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with requirement of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Aug 25, 2017

Abate by

Sep 25, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,432 · Current $4,000 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.    On or about March 2, 2017, employees were exposed to eye irritation while adding raw materials to Polyvinyl Alcohol without adequate eye protection.  The employer did not provide or require employees to wear suitable safety glasses and/or splash goggles to prevent or eliminate hazards.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance to the requirement of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Aug 25, 2017

Abate by

Oct 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,431 · Current $4,000 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.    On or about March 2, 2017, the employer did not develop and implement a written respiratory protection program to prevent or eliminate physiological and respiratory burdens to employees who were required to wear 3M-N95 half mask respirators while mixing chemicals.    Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Aug 25, 2017

Abate by

Oct 17, 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.    On or about March 2, 2017, employees were exposed to physiological and respiratory burdens when required to wear a 3M-N95 half mask respirator during mixing operations.  The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator before mandating the use of a respirator.     Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance to the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Aug 25, 2017

Abate by

Oct 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(1): The employer did not ensure that employee(s) required to use a tight-fitting facepiece respirator passed the appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT).    On or about March 2, 2017, employees were exposed to physiological and respiratory burdens when required to wear a 3M-N95 half mask respirator during mixing operations.  The employer did not fit test employees before mandating the use of a respirator.     Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Aug 25, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $1,000 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:    On or about March 2, 2017, employees in the Mixing Department were exposed to severe skin burns, eye damage, and respiratory irritation while using N-Methylethanolamine, a corrosive chemical.  The employer did not ensure employees  had access to an eye wash/shower in the area in the event of coming in contact with the chemical.    No abatement documentation is required for this item.

Issued

Aug 25, 2017

Abate by

Oct 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $11,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met.    On or about March 2, 2017, employees were exposed to severe skin burns, eye damage, and respiratory irritation while using N-Methylethanolamine and Polyvinyl Alcohol.  The employer did not develop and implement a hazard communication program for the employees that are required to work with hazardous chemicals.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Aug 25, 2017

Abate by

Oct 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6): Workplace labeling. Except as provided in paragraphs (f)(7) and (f)(8) of this section, the employer shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with the chemical contained therein.    On or about March 2, 2017, employees were exposed to severe skin burns, eye damage, and respiratory irritation while using N-Methylethanolamine and Polyvinyl Alcohol.  The employer did not ensure the plastic 55 gallon drum containing a mixture of chemicals was labeled to indicate the contents of the chemical contained therein.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Aug 25, 2017

Abate by

Oct 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area.    On or about March 2, 2017, employees were exposed to severe skin burns, eye damage, and respiratory irritation while using N-Methylethanolamine and Polyvinyl Alcohol.  The employer did not ensure employees were provided effective information and training on the chemicals in their work area.     Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Aug 25, 2017

Abate by

Sep 25, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(h)(1): The employer did not provide the protective equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), used to comply with this part, at no cost to employees.  On or about March 2, 2017, the employer required employees to purchase their own personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to safety steel toe shoes, and did not ensure the protective equipment was provided at no cost to employees.  Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).