OSHA Inspection: RBC INDUSTRIES, INC.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $9,054 · Current $4,622 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(i): Adequate precautions were not taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors:    (a) Batch making room: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto employees used a Blue Hawk metal ice scraper, which is capable of producing sparks,  in conjunction with Acetone, a flammable liquid, to perform floor cleaning operations.  (b) Batch making room: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto employees handled Abeita HC-85, which is capable of producing static charges when poured, into process vessels containing flammable liquids, without taking adequate precautions to prevent static electrical charges from developing, which could cause ignition of the flammable liquid.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(ii): Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), were dispensed into containers without the nozzle and container being electrically interconnected.    Facility: On or about October 26, 2017 and at times prior thereto employees in the batch making area dispensed flammable liquids such as but not limited to Isopropanol Blend, Acetone Blend, and Acetone/Acetone Rework from metal 55 gallon drums through a plastic drum faucet into containers that were not bonded and grounded.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

May 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,174 · Current $2,644 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(2): The employer did not develop an emergency response plan for emergencies which addressed the following minimum requirements of this standard: 1910.120(q)(2)(i) through 1910.120(q)(2)(xii):    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto the employer's emergency response plan, for hazardous substance releases including but not limited to methylene chloride and flammable liquids such as acetone and isopropyl alcohol, did not adequately nor effectively address elements included in 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(2) including but not limited to the following:  - (i) Pre-emergency planning and coordination with outside parties,  - (ii) Personnel roles, lines of authority, training, and communication,  - (iii) Emergency recognition and prevention,  - (iv) Safe distances and places of refuge,  - (vi) Evacuation routes and procedures,  - (vii) Decontamination,  - (ix) Emergency alerting and response procedures,  - (x) Critique of response and follow-up,  - (xi) Personal protective equipment and emergency equipment.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

May 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(iii): Employees who participated as hazardous materials technicians, or were expected to participate as hazardous materials technicians, had not received at least 24 hours of training equal to the first responder operations level, and in addition have competency in the areas outlined in 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(iii)(A) through (q)(6)(iii)(I) and/or the employer did not so certify:    Facility:  On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto the employer did not provide at least 24 hours of training equal to the first responder operations level for manufacturing personnel and / or  the employer did not so certify.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

Apr 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,174 · Current $2,644 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not 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:    Facility:  On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto a written certification of the workplace hazard assessment for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for employees handling various chemicals including but not limited to methylene chloride, acetone and isopropyl alcohol was not available.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

May 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $7,760 · Current $3,963 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.    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto the employer did not establish and implement a written respiratory protection program when employees in the batch making area are required to wear respiratory protection while working with chemicals including but not limited to acetone, isopropyl alcohol and Abietin HC85 (Rosin Acids).

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

May 15, 2018

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:    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto the employer did not ensure that employees in the batch making area that are required to wear respirators while working with chemicals, including but not limited to acetone and isopropyl alcohol, are medically evaluated to prevent employee injury.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

May 15, 2018

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):    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto the employer did not ensure that employees in the batch making area that are required to wear tight-fitting respirators while working with chemicals, including but not limited to acetone and isopropyl alcohol, have passed the appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT) to prevent employee injury.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

May 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A): Respirators with tight-fitting facepieces were worn by employees who had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interfered with valve function:    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto the employer allowed employees in the batch making area with facial hair to wear respirators with tight-fitting facepieces exposing the employees to inhalation hazards.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

May 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(h)(2)(i): Respirators were not stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals or  were not packed or stored to prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve.    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto the employer did not ensure that employees in the batch making area that were required to wear tight-fitting respirators while working with chemicals, including but not limited to acetone and isopropyl alcohol, stored and protected the respirators from contamination and damaging chemicals.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

May 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each employee could demonstrate knowledge of the limitations and capabilities of the respirator.    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto employees required to use elastomeric and filtering face-piece air purifying respirators were not provided training on the proper use and limitations of the respirators, exposing employees to an inhalation hazard while working with chemicals including but not limited to acetone and isopropyl alcohol.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $9,054 · Current $4,622 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:    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto the employer did not did not provide suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes to protect employees in the the batch making area while working with corrosive materials such as, but not limited to, Ancamine 2489 and Ancamine 1768.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

Jun 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $6,467 · Current $3,302 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(c)(2)(v): In locations used for the storage of hazardous liquids in sealed containers or liquified or compressed gases in containers, approved power-operated industrial trucks designated as DS, ES, GS, or LPS were not used. This classification includes locations where volatile flammable liquids or flammable gases or vapors were used, but which, would become hazardous only in case of an accident or of some unusual operating condition.     Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto the employer allowed a propane powered, power-operated industrial truck not designated as LPS to be used in the batch making room, which was a location where volatile flammable liquids or flammable gases were handled, processed or used.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

Jun 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(3)(ii): Powered industrial truck operators did not receive initial training in the following topics, except in topics which the employer can demonstrate are not applicable to safe operation of the truck in the employer's workplace:  (I): Other unique or potentially hazardous environmental conditions in the workplace that could affect safe operation.    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and times prior thereto the employer did not train employees to recognize potentially hazardous environmental conditions in the workplace that could affect safe operation of fork lifts such as conditions that occur in the batch making area with the use of flammable liquids/vapors that create a fire/explosion hazard.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

Jun 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6): The employer did not certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by this paragraph (l).    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto the employer did not certify that each operator had been trained and evaluated as required by paragraph (l).

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $9,054 · Current $4,622 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i): Except as elsewhere required or permitted by Subpart S of Part 1910, live parts of electric equipment operating  at 50 volts or more were not guarded against accidental contact by use of approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures or by any of the means identified in paragraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i):    Facility: On or about October 26, 2017 and at times prior thereto the employer did not ensure live electrical wires operating at 110 volts were guarded against accidental contact and exposed employees in the batch making area to electrical shock hazards.    a) Employees in the batch making area were exposed to electrical shock hazards from energized electrical wires that were observed protruding out of the bottom of a metal electrical receptacle covered with a blank steel plate located on the wall to the left of tank mixer #5.  Exposed wires are located within arms reach while employees are working at the workstation.    b) Employees in the batch making area were exposed to electrical shock hazards from an open electrical panel that had a two breakers missing and no blanks were in place.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $7,760 · Current $3,963 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): Each outlet box in completed installations did not have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy:    Facility: On or about October 26, 2017 and at times prior thereto employees in the batch making area were exposed to electrical shock hazards through the use of an electrical outlet at the workstation to the left side of tank #5 without  an approved cover installed.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

Jun 1, 2018

Penalty

Initial $9,054 · Current $4,622 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(b): Documentation for areas designated as hazardous (classified) locations under the Class and Zone system and areas designated under the Class and Division system established after August 13, 2007 was not available to those authorized to design, install, inspect, maintain, or operate electric equipment at the location:    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto the employer did not designate areas where flammable gases or vapors may exist with class and division so as to communicate to those authorized to design, install, inspect, maintain, or operate electric equipment at the location, what electrical equipment was allowed in hazardous areas exposing employees to fire hazards.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

Jun 1, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c): Equipment, wiring methods, and installations of equipment in hazardous (classified) locations were not intrinsically safe, approved for the hazardous (classified) location, or safe for the hazardous (classified) location:    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto electrical equipment, wiring methods, and installations of equipment in the batch making area, including but not limited to, facility wiring, switches and outlets were not safe nor approved for a Class I Division 2 location thereby exposing employees to fire hazards.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

Jun 1, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,174 · Current $2,644 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(d)(1)(i): Where methylene chloride was present in the workplace, the employer did not determine each employee's exposure:    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto, the employer allowed employees from the shipping and receiving and the batch making departments to handle and transfer methylene chloride to smaller containers without determining each employee's exposure.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

Jun 1, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(d)(2): The employer did not perform initial monitoring to determine each employee's exposure to methylene chloride:    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto, the employer did not perform initial monitoring to determine each employee's exposure prior to allowing employees from the shipping and receiving and the batch making departments to handle, use, and transfer methylene chloride to smaller containers.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

May 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $6,467 · Current $3,302 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:    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto, 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 for chemicals used by employees, such as but not limited to methylene chloride, acetone, and isopropyl alcohol.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

May 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(2): The chemical manufacturer or importer preparing the safety data sheet did not ensure that it included the required headings and information in 29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(2)(i) through 29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(2)(xii)    Facility: on or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto the employer did not ensure safety data sheets  included the required headings and information in 29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(2)(i) through 29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(2)(xii)for hazardous chemicals manufactured on site including but not limited to GS-2004 Gasket Shellac.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

May 15, 2018

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:    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto, the employer did not provide effective information and training to employees that used hazardous chemicals in the workplace including but not limited to; methylene chloride, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, and Ancamine2489 Curing Agent.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

May 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(iii): Employee training did not include the measures employees can take to protect themselves from chemical hazards, including specific procedures the employer had implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures and personal protective equipment to be used:    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto employee training did not include the measures employees can take to protect themselves from chemical hazards including but not limited to exposure fire hazards where employees in the batch making room used flammable liquids.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

Apr 26, 2018

Penalty

Initial $1,294 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.4(a): The employer did not record each work-related fatality, injury or illness case that resulted in the general recording criteria on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent.     Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 RBC Industries, Inc. did not record a workplace injury on the OSHA Form 300 or the equivalent for the calendar year 2017 for an employee who suffered an amputation of the tip of the left thumb.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

Apr 26, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.32(a)(2): The Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (OSHA Form 300A or equivalent) was not created, certified, or posted:    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (OSHA Form 300A or equivalent) was not created and certified for the years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

Jun 15, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(a)(6): The employer did not ensure that all nameplates or markings were maintained in a legible condition:    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto the employer did not ensure that all nameplates or markings were maintained in a legible condition for Daewoo Forklift, Model Number GC20C, Serial Number BT00049.

Issued

Feb 27, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1): Sufficient access and working space was not provided and maintained about all electric equipment (operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground) to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment:    Facility: On or about October 16, 2017 and at times prior thereto the employer did not ensure sufficient access was maintained around all electrical equipment.  An electrical panel in the batch making area was blocked and did not allow sufficient access.