OSHA Inspection: UNITED PULSE TRADING, INC.

Issued

Aug 31, 2017

Abate by

Oct 15, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,149 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 91309135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:    (a) On or about May 11, 2017 employees exposed to respiratory hazards while engaged in pulse milling and packaging operations wearing negative pressure half-face respirators with p100 particulate filter disks at 625 42nd Street NE in Minot, North Dakota.    Abatement Note:      A minimally acceptable respiratory protection program shall include all of the following requirements:    1.  Written standard operating procedures governing the selection and use of respirators shall be established.    2.  Only approved respirators shall be used.  Respirators shall be selected on the basis of hazards to which the worker is exposed.    3.  Respirators must be provided free-of-charge where respirators are needed to protect the health of the employees.    4.  Employers must provide (free-of-charge) a medical evaluation to determine each employee's fitness to wear a respirator before initial use.    5.  Before initial respirator use, fit testing is required for all employees using negative or positive pressure tight-fitting respirators where such respirators are required by OSHA or where the employer requires the use of such a respirator.    6.  The user shall be instructed and trained in the proper use of respirators and their limitations.    7.  Surveillance of work area conditions and degree of employee exposure or stress shall be conducted.    8.  Employer must ensure the use of respirators where respirators are needed to protect the health of the employees.    9.  Respirators shall be regularly cleaned and disinfected to keep them in a sanitary condition.    10.  Respirators shall be stored in a clean and sanitary location to prevent damage and contamination.    11.  Respirators shall be inspected during cleaning and repaired when necessary.    12.  There shall be regular inspection and evaluation to determine the continued effectiveness of the program.    13.  Compressed breathing air must meet at least the requirements for Grade D breathing air.    14.  The employer must establish and retain medical evaluations and fit-testing records.

Issued

Aug 31, 2017

Abate by

Sep 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $1,000

Hazardous substances 91309135

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 required to use the respirator in the workplace:    (a) On or about May 11, 2017 employees exposed to respiratory hazards while engaged in pulse milling and packaging operations wearing negative pressure half-face respirators with p100 particulate filter disks at 625 42nd Street NE in Minot, North Dakota.

Issued

Aug 31, 2017

Abate by

Sep 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $1,000

Hazardous substances 91309135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(1): The employer did not ensure that employee(s) required to use a tight-fitting face piece respirator passed the appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT):    (a) On or about May 11, 2017 for employees exposed to respiratory hazards while engaged in pulse milling and packaging operations wearing negative pressure half-face respirators with p100 particulate filter disks at 625 42nd Street NE in Minot, North Dakota.

Issued

Aug 31, 2017

Abate by

Jan 1, 2018

Penalty

Initial $914 · Current $1,000

Hazardous substances 9135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(a)(2): Employees were exposed to an airborne concentration of Particulates not otherwise regulated (Total Dust) listed in Table Z-1 in excess of the 8-hour Time-Weighted Average concentration of 15 mg/m3:    (a) On or about May 11, 2017, for employee UPT E-1 where the 8-hour time weighted average exposure to Particulates not otherwise regulated (Total Dust) was calculated to be 34.9 mg/m3 (2.33 times the PEL), while working at 625 42nd Street NE in Minot, North Dakota.