OSHA Inspection: KEPHACO CORPORATION

Issued

Feb 13, 2018

Abate by

Mar 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $6,467 · Current $3,234 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): Places of employment, passageways, storerooms or service rooms were not kept clean and orderly to the extent that the nature of the work allowed:    a.) On or about November 7, 2017, the employer did not keep work stations and surfaces such as walls, floors, rafters, and electrical panels clean from the build up of combustiible and ignitable resin dust in the finishing department in building 2.    b.) On or about November 7, 2017, the employer did not keep work stations and surfaces such as the floors and under equipment clean from the build up of combustible and ignitable wood dust in the fabricating department in building 1.

Issued

Feb 13, 2018

Abate by

Mar 19, 2018

Penalty

Initial $6,467 · Current $3,234 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1): When employees were subjected to sound exceeding those listed in Table G-16, feasible administrative or engineering controls were not utilized:    On Novemeber 21, 2017, the grinder was exposed to continuous noise levels at 165.6% of the permissible daily exposure (8-hour, time-weighted average sound level of 90 dbA or equivalently, a dose of 100 percent), during the 447 minute sampling period.   Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 33 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Feb 13, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(6): At least annually after obtaining the baseline audiogram, the employer did not obtain a new audiogram for each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels :  The employer did not obtain a new audiogram annually for employees exposed to 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound levels of 85 dBA or greater (50% dose).   On Novemeber 21, 2017, the grinder was exposed to continuous noise levels at 177.9% of the permissible daily exposure (8-hour, time-weighted average sound level of 90 dbA or equivalently, a dose of 100 percent), during the 447 minute sampling period.   Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 33 minutes not sampled. This employee had a lapse in time between audiograms. The last audiogram performed for the employee was 10/15/14.

Issued

Feb 13, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95(k):  On or about November 7, 2017, the employer had not provided training to employees exposed to an 8 hour time weighted average of 85 decibels.

Issued

Feb 13, 2018

Abate by

Feb 21, 2018

Penalty

Initial $6,467 · Current $3,234 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(d)(5)(i): Flammable liquids, including stock for sale, were stored in a location that limited the use of exits, stairways, or areas normally used for the safe egress of people:    a.) On or about November 7, 2017, the employer was storing and using approximately 115 gallons of flammable liquids including UN1866 resin solution near the man door exit next to the spray booth. In the situation of a fire the flammable chemicals would prevent the safe evacuation of employees, the man door exit is the only man door in this area.    b.) On or about November 7, 2017, the employer was storing approximately 385 gallons of flammable liquids including UN1866 resin solution near the walkway that connects the mixing area with the casting area. In the situation of a fire, the flammable chemicals would prevent the safe evacuation of employees.     c.) On or about November 7, 2017, the employer was storing approximately 555 gallons of flammable liquids including UN1866 resin solution near the entrance of building #2. In the situation of a fire, the flammable chemicals would prevent the safe evacuation of employees.

Issued

Feb 13, 2018

Penalty

Initial $3,880 · Current $1,940 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:      On or about November 7, 2017, the workplace hazard assessment had not been put in writing and certified with the person conducting the evaluation and the dates the hazard assessment was completed. Safety glasses, gloves, respirators, ear plugs, and goggles are required when performing different job tasks.

Issued

Feb 13, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1): The employer did not provide training to each employee required to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that covered when PPE is necessary, what PPE is necessary, how to don, doff, adjust and wear PPE, the limitations of PPE and the proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE:  On or about November 7, 2017, the employees required to wear PPE have not been trained on when PPE is necessary, what PPE is necessary; how to don, doff, adjust and wear PPE; the limitations of PPE;  and the proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE. Employees work with acetone, products containing styrene, aluminum trihydrate, and products containing silica . Employees wear safety glasses, gloves, respirators, ear plugs, and goggles when performing different job tasks.

Issued

Feb 13, 2018

Abate by

Feb 21, 2018

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:  On or about March 17, 2016, the employer did not select and require the use of appropriate chemical resistant gloves for employees whose hands are exposed to hazards from handling chemicals such as acetone and styrene. Employees were using latex gloves and should be using butyl rubber gloves.

Issued

Feb 13, 2018

Penalty

Initial $3,880 · Current $1,940 Reduced

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:    On or about November 7, 2017, employees were required to wear 3M half-face tight-fitting respiratory protection while spray finishing, grinding, casting, finishing, and have not received a medical evaluation.

Issued

Feb 13, 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) on a annual basis:   On or about November 7, 2017, employees were required to wear 3M half-face tight-fitting respiratory protection while spray finishing, grinding, casting, finishing, and have not received a fit test.

Issued

Feb 13, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1):  The employer did not provide effective training that covered the required elements in 1910.134(k)(1)(i) through 1910.134(k)(1)(vii):  On or about November 7, 2017, employees were required to wear 3M half-face tight-fitting respiratory protection while spray finishing, grinding, casting, and finishing. Employees have not received respiratory protection training in accordance with the standard.

Issued

Feb 13, 2018

Abate by

Feb 21, 2018

Penalty

Initial $6,467 · Current $3,234 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.145(c)(3): Safety instruction sign(s) were not used where there was a need for general instructions and suggestions relative to safety measure(s):    On or about November 7, 2017, there were no warning signs in the vicinity of the dust collectors to warn employees of the fire and explosion potential from the marble resin. There were no signs to prohibit the use of standard lift trucks in the area, warn against smoking, and to instruct employees on personal protective equipment requirements during potentially hazardous activities.

Issued

Feb 13, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,174 · Current $2,587 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:    a) On or about November 7, 2017, the employer did not provide a eye wash station to employees who were exposed to sulfuric acid while adding water to forklift batteries.    b) On or about November 7, 2017, the eye wash station located at the spray booth was in operable.

Issued

Feb 13, 2018

Abate by

Feb 21, 2018

Penalty

Initial $6,467 · Current $3,234 Reduced

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) On or about November 7, 2017, the employer did not provide effective information and training to employees, to include but not limited too hazards associated with working around silica-containing material.    b) On or about November 7, 2017, the employer did not provide effective information and training to employees, to include but not limited too hazards associated with working around combustible dust.    c) On or about November 7, 2017, the employer did provide effective information and training to employees, about the hazards associated with using acetone to remove dried resin from the skin.

Issued

Feb 13, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(b)(5)(i): Visible gauges or audible alarm or pressure activated devices were not installed to indicate or insure that the required air velocity is maintained:  On or about November 7, 2017, the employer did not have the visible gauge on the spray booth to indicate the required air velocity.

Issued

Feb 13, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(b)(9): A clear space of not less than 3 feet on all sides was not kept free from storage or combustible construction:  On or about November 7, 2017, the employer did not have all sides readily accessible for cleaning and did not have 3 feet of clearance on all sides. The inside of the booth on the left side had a parts cleaner, flammable cabinet, and ppe locker. On the outside there was excess material leaning against the booth.

Issued

Feb 13, 2018

Abate by

Feb 20, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(g)(7): "No smoking" signs in large letters on contrasting color background shall be conspicuously posted at all spraying areas and paint storage rooms:  On or about November 7, 2017, the employer did not have NO SMOKING signs posted on the spraying booth located in mixing/spray finishing department.