OSHA Inspection: LAMM'S MACHINE, INC

Issued

Feb 26, 2018

Abate by

Dec 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,174 · Current $2,587 Reduced

Hazardous substances R290

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards, that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees ,in that employees were exposed to 1-Bromopropane levels that can result in serious health effects, e.g., damage to the nervous system and cancer:      a) Degreasing Room: On or about September 5, 2017, the employer failed to maintain levels of 1-Bromopropane below those that can result in serious health effects. Employees engaged in the degreasing operation reported experiencing eye and respiratory irritation.  OSHA's personal sampling for 1-Bromopropane in the degreasing area showed that concentrations were as high as 88.53 ppm, as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA), with peak exposure exceeding 182 ppm.  These levels are considerably higher than the levels at which serious health effects, e.g., damage to the nervous system, can occur.      Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of abatement include:   1. Reducing employee exposure to below the exposure limits established by ACGIH (0.1ppm) and California OSHA (5.0ppm).  2. Establishing and implementing a routine service schedule for the degreasing unit. Evaluation should include determining the condition of seals, lines, coils and filters. All leaks should be repaired immediately.  3. Installing effective local ventilation near the operator.  4. Conduct air quality monitoring to determine employee exposures to 1-bromopropane while replacing the degreasing fluid and working around the Degreasing Room.

Issued

Feb 26, 2018

Abate by

Apr 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,174 · Current $2,587 Reduced

Hazardous substances R290

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(a)(2): When effective engineering controls were not feasible or while they were being instituted, appropriate respirators were not used pursuant to the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134:    a) Degreasing Room: Employees were exposed to 1-bromopropane at 88.53 ppm as an eight hour time weighted average while conducting degreasing activities and the employees were not required to wear appropriate respirators exposing them to respiratory and eye irritation, nausea, central nervous system depression, and an increased risk of cancer, on or about September 5, 2017.     Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Feb 26, 2018

Abate by

Apr 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances R290

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) Degreasing Room: Employees were exposed to 1-bromopropane at 88.53 ppm as an eight hour time weighted average while conducting degreasing activities and the employer did not establish a written respiratory program as required, on or about September 5, 2017.     Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Feb 26, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances R290

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(iii): The employer did not identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace; including a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazards and identification of the contaminant's chemical state and physical form:   a) Degreasing Room: Employees were exposed to 1-bromopropane at 88.53 ppm as an eight hour time weighted average while conducting degreasing activities and the employer did not identify or evaluate the respiratory hazards in the area including determining a reasonable estimate of employee exposure to 1-bromopropane, on or about September 5, 2017.  No abatement certification or documentation required.

Issued

Feb 26, 2018

Abate by

Mar 23, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,217 · Current $1,109 Reduced

Hazardous substances R290

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:    a) Degreasing Room: Employees wore Microflex Diamond Grip latex examination gloves when working with Tech Kleen STNPB exposing employees to skin irritation and skin absorption of hazardous substances while wearing inappropriate hand protection, on or about September 5, 2017.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Feb 26, 2018

Abate by

Mar 23, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,217 · Current $1,109 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.:    a) Abrasive Blasting Room: Compressed air was used to remove abrasive blasting media from recently blasted products and the interior of the abrasive blasting cabinet and the pressure of the compressed air was greater than 60 psi, on or about September 5, 2017.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.