OSHA Inspection: STERICYCLE

Issued

Sep 18, 2017

Abate by

Dec 19, 2017

Penalty

Initial $7,986 · Current $0 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) Household Hazardous Waste Facility:  On or about July 18, 2017 and at times prior thereto; environmental specialists in the receiving and segregating area had not received emergency response training that prepared them to initiate emergency response procedures.      Note* Abatement certification AND documentation ARE required for this item.

Issued

Sep 18, 2017

Abate by

Dec 19, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(3)(iii): Based on the hazardous substances and/or conditions present, the individual in charge of the ICS did not implement appropriate emergency operations and did not ensure that the personal protective equipment worn was appropriate for the hazards encountered:  a) Household Hazardous Waste Facility: On or about July 18, 2017 and at times prior thereto; three employees were exposed to a Chlorine release into the air from a bucket of wet Chlorine pool tablets, but the senior employee on-site at the time, a level II environmental specialist, referenced a wall chart but did not raise the level of PPE to adequately respond to the incident or direct all employees to evacuate the area.     Note* Abatement certification AND documentation ARE required for this item.

Issued

Sep 18, 2017

Abate by

Dec 19, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(3)(iv): Employees engaged in emergency response and exposed to hazardous substances presenting an inhalation hazard or potential inhalation hazard, did not wear positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus until such time that the individual in charge of the incident command system determined through the use of air monitoring that a decreased level of respiratory protection would not result in hazardous exposures to employees:    a)  Household Hazardous Waste Facility: On or about July 18, 2017and at times prior thereto;  employees received and attempted to classify an unlabeled unmarked bucket of Chlorine pool tablets, exposing themselves to a Chlorine release and did not respond to the release by raising their level of respiratory protection or immediately evacuating the area.  Employees engaged in emergency response without the presence of a supervisor or incident commander.       Note* Abatement certification AND documentation ARE required for this item.

Issued

Sep 18, 2017

Abate by

Dec 19, 2017

Penalty

Initial $4,848 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6): The skill and knowledge levels required for all new responders, and those hired after the effective date of this standard, were not conveyed to them through training before they were permitted to take part in actual emergency operations on an incident:  a) Household Hazardous Waste Facility: On or about July 18, 2017 and at times prior thereto; employees responded to a release of Chlorine gas and performed activities of first responder operations level and hazardous materials technician level but they had not received a level of training that permitted them to respond in these capacities.         Note* Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

Sep 18, 2017

Abate by

Dec 19, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):    a) Household Hazardous Waste Facility:  On or about July 18, 2017 and at times prior thereto; employees handled and categorized incoming household wastes and chemicals without a clear understanding of health hazards or respiratory protection.   Note* Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

Sep 18, 2017

Abate by

Nov 3, 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:  a) Household Hazardous Waste Facility: On or about July 18, 2017 and at times prior thereto; employees are handling household waste and chemicals without adequate familiarization with the materials they may frequently or infrequently come in contact with in the course of their duties.    Note* Abatement certification IS required for this item.

Issued

Sep 18, 2017

Abate by

Nov 28, 2017

Penalty

Initial $4,848 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or were likely to be present, which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment:  a)  Ada County Household Hazardous Materials Receiving Area: On or about July 1, 2017 and at times prior thereto; the employer did not assess hazards associated with unknown chemicals or the use of respirators when handling unknowns.         *Note: Abatement certification IS required for this item.