OSHA Inspection: ARROW CHEMICAL CORP.

Issued

Aug 28, 2017

Abate by

Oct 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,173 · Current $1,875 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): (2) The floor of each workroom must be maintained in a clean and, to the extent feasible, in a dry condition.  When wet processes are used, drainage must be maintained and, to the extent feasible, dry standing places, such as false floors, platforms, and mats must be provided.     a) Production Area - The floor and surfaces in the production area were not cleaned and in a dry condition. There was debris including, but not limited to used nitrile gloves, used caps, unidentified chemicals, and used rags on or about 4/13/2017.    Note:  The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Aug 28, 2017

Abate by

Oct 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,897 · Current $1,875 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit routes must be free and unobstructed. No materials or equipment may be placed, either permanently or temporarily, within the exit route. The exit access must not go through a room that can be locked, such as a bathroom, to reach an exit or exit discharge, nor may it lead into a dead-end corridor. Stairs or a ramp must be provided where the exit route is not substantially level.    a) Production Floor - Two main egress aisles on the production floor were obstructed with boxes, pails, cardboard and/or chemicals on or about 4/13/2017.     b) Southeast Exit - The exit route is substantially uneven due to a concrete barrier designed to keep chemical spills inside of the building. The exit is obstructed from spilled chemicals on the ground resulting in slippery walking conditions on or about 4/13/2017.    Note:  The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Aug 28, 2017

Abate by

Nov 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $4,346 · Current $1,875 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(1): The employer did not develop and implement an emergency response plan to handle anticipated emergencies prior to commencement of emergency response operations:    a) Production area - Approximately 15 employees work in the production area with hazardous chemicals. Employees are required to clean up hazardous chemical spills including, but not limited to Vigor (a corrosive), Sodium Hydroxide (a corrosive), Potassium Hydroxide (a corrosive), Cocoamide c-11 (a serious irritant and suspect carcinogen), and Cola Teric 2CM (flammable and corrosive) and have not been provided with an emergency response plan on or about 4/13/2017.     Note:  The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Aug 28, 2017

Abate by

Nov 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6): The employer did not provide training in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(i) through (q)(6)(v) for employees who participated in or were expected to participate in emergency response:    a) Production area - Approximately 15 employees work in the production area with hazardous chemicals. Employees are required to clean up hazardous chemical spills including, but not limited to Vigor (a corrosive), Sodium Hydroxide (a corrosive), Potassium Hydroxide (a corrosive), Cocoamide c-11 (a serious irritant and suspect carcinogen), Cola Teric 2CM (flammable and corrosive), and liquid petroleum gas (flammable), and have not been provided training on or about 4/13/2017.    Note:  The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Aug 28, 2017

Abate by

Oct 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $4,346 · Current $1,875 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.    a) Production area - Approximately 15 employees work in the production area with hazardous chemicals such as, but not limited to Vigor (a corrosive), Sodium Hydroxide (a corrosive), Potassium Hydroxide (a corrosive), Cocoamide c-11 (a serious irritant and suspect carcinogen), Cola Teric 2CM (flammable and corrosive), and liquid petroleum gas (flammable). Main tasks include making batches of chemical products and pouring bulk chemicals into smaller containers. Employees were observed working without hand, eye, and face protection and have not been provided with a hazard assessment on or about 4/13/17.     Note:  The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Aug 28, 2017

Abate by

Oct 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Production area - Approximately 15 employees work in the production area with hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to, Vigor (a corrosive), Sodium Hydroxide (a corrosive), Potassium Hydroxide (a corrosive), Cocoamide c-11 (a serious irritant and suspect carcinogen), Cola Teric 2CM (flammable and corrosive), and liquid petroleum gas (flammable). Employees were observed pouring bulk chemicals into smaller containers for final products without eye and/or face protection.     Note:  The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Aug 28, 2017

Abate by

Oct 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): The employer did not select and require employee(s) to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands were exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasion; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.    a) Production area - Approximately 15 employees work in the production area with hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to, Vigor (a corrosive), Sodium Hydroxide (a corrosive), Potassium Hydroxide (a corrosive), Cocoamide c-11 (a serious irritant and suspect carcinogen), Cola Teric 2CM (flammable and corrosive), and liquid petroleum gas (flammable). Employees were observed making batches of chemicals and pouring bulk chemicals into smaller containers without the use of gloves on or about 4/13/2017.     Note:  The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Aug 28, 2017

Abate by

Nov 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,173 · Current $1,875 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) Powder filling area in production area - Employees use and are exposed to powders including, but not limited to ammonium hydrogendifluoride (corrosive) and anhydrous citric acid (irritant) during pouring and mixing of powders and have not been provided with an up to date, site specific respiratory protection program on or about 4/13/2017.    Note: The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Aug 28, 2017

Abate by

Nov 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator were not annually fit tested:    a) Powder area in production area - Employees use and are exposed to powders including, but not limited to ammonium hydrogendifluoride (corrosive) and anhydrous citric acid (irritant) during pouring and mixing of powders and have not been provided with annual fit testing on or about 4/13/2017.    Note: The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Aug 28, 2017

Abate by

Oct 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,070 · Current $1,875 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.  [63 FR 33450, June 18, 1998]    a) Northeast corner of production area - The eyewash in the eyewash/shower combination unit in the corrosive area was not suitable for drenching as it is not maintained on a periodic basis. When turned on during the inspection, water ran brown on or about 4/13/2017. In addition, the shower in the eyewash/shower combination unit in was not available for immediate emergency use as there was a salvage drum with items in it stored under the shower unit on or about 4/13/2017.     Note:  In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Aug 28, 2017

Abate by

Sep 8, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,173 · Current $1,875 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(f)(1)(iv): Overcurrent devices were not readily accessible to each employee or authorized building management personnel. These overcurrent devices may not be located where they will be exposed to physical damage or in the vicinity of easily ignitable material.    a) East wall of production floor - Electrical breakers were blocked by the chemical drums in the corrosive chemical area on or about 4/13/2017.    Note:  The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Aug 28, 2017

Abate by

Nov 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,897 · Current $1,875 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:    a) Throughout facility - Employees work with and are exposed to chemicals and were not provided with a written Hazard Communication Program that is in compliance with 1910.1200(e)(1) on or about 4/13/2017. Arrow Chemical Corp is a chemical manufacturer and employees work with a multitude of hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to Vigor (a corrosive), Sodium Hydroxide (a corrosive), Potassium Hydroxide (a corrosive), Cocoamide c-11 (a serious irritant and suspect carcinogen), Cola Teric 2CM (flammable and corrosive), and liquid petroleum gas (flammable).     Note:  The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.

Issued

Aug 28, 2017

Abate by

Nov 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i): The employer did not compile a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present using a product identifier that was referenced on the appropriate safety data sheet.    a) Throughout facility - Employees work with and are exposed to chemicals and were not provided with a list of chemicals in the facility on or about 4/13/2017. Arrow Chemical Corp is a chemical manufacturer and employees work with a multitude of hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to Vigor (a corrosive), Sodium Hydroxide (a corrosive), Potassium Hydroxide (a corrosive), Cocoamide c-11 (a serious irritant and suspect carcinogen), Cola Teric 2CM (flammable and corrosive), and liquid petroleum gas (flammable).     Note:  The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.