OSHA Inspection: C&D TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Issued

May 18, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,934 · Current $6,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:    (a) COS Department - Line Six (6) - Grob Band Saw, Model #4V-18: On or about March 1, 2018, the unused portion of the saw blade was not guarded during use.  Workers were able to access the unused portion of the rotating saw blade, exposing employees to amputation injuries.

Issued

May 18, 2018

Abate by

Aug 7, 2020

Penalty

Initial $9,239 · Current $7,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(h)(1): All surfaces were not maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of lead:    (a) In the northeast corner of  the lunchroom, the soft drink (soda) machine chute was found to be contaminated by lead.  On or about, December 28, 2017, approximately 3,851 micrograms of lead was detected by wipe sampling of the base of the compartment of the soft drink (soda) machine into which workers grasp selected containers of soft drink (soda).

Issued

May 18, 2018

Abate by

Jun 14, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,543 · Current $1,066 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(m)(2)(i): The employer did not post the following warning signs in each work area where the PEL is exceeded:     DANGER  LEAD  MAY DAMAGE FERTILITY OR THE UNBORN CHILD  CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM  DO NOT EAT, DRINK OR SMOKE IN THIS AREA    (a)  Warning signs which included the required wording were not posted in each work area where the permissible exposure limit (PEL) was exceeded. On or about April 19, 2018, the sign posted at the walk-way leading to the Pasting Area, where lead levels exceeded the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for lead, did not bear the required wording to alert workers of the serious health hazards of lead, including the potential for lead to damage fertility or the unborn child, and that lead causes damage to the central nervous system.

Issued

May 18, 2018

Abate by

Aug 7, 2020

Penalty

Initial $92,390 · Current $12,934 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(c)(1): Employee(s) were exposed to lead at concentrations greater than fifty micrograms per cubic meter of air averaged over an eight-hour period:    (j) On March 1, 2018, a Utility worker on COS Line 6 was exposed to lead at an 8-hour time weighted average of 0.5672 mg/m3, approximately 11.34 times the permissible exposure limit of 0.050 mg/m3.  This limit is established to prevent Central Nervous System (CNS), kidney, blood forming and reproductive system damage.  The air samples were collected over 438 minutes.  Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 42 minutes not sampled.

Issued

May 18, 2018

Abate by

Aug 7, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(e)(1)(i): For any employees exposed to lead above the permissible exposure limit for more than 30 days per year where engineering and work practice controls (including administrative controls) were feasible but did not reduce the employees' exposure to or below the permissible exposure limit, the employer did not use engineering and/or work practice controls to reduce exposures to the lowest feasible level:    29 CFR 1910.1025(e)(1)(i): For any employees exposed to lead above the permissible exposure limit for more than 30 days per year, the employer did not implement engineering and work practice controls (including administrative controls), were not implemented to reduce and maintain employee exposure to lead:     (a)    Engineering and work practice controls were not effectively used to reduce and maintain exposures to lead:    10. On March 1, 2018, a Utility worker on COS Line 6 was exposed to lead at an 8-hour time weighted average of 0.5672 mg/m3, approximately 11.34 times the permissible exposure limit of 0.050 mg/m3.  This limit is established to prevent Central Nervous System (CNS), kidney, blood forming and reproductive system damage.  The air samples were collected over 438 minutes.  Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 42 minutes not sampled.    Feasible and acceptable abatement methods, among others, to correct these hazards include, but are not limited to:    * Improve local exhaust systems by ensuring that down draft tables or slotted hoods are maintained at recommended air flow rates.  During the inspection air flow at the following ventilation units was found to be  below the recommended rates (800 to 1200 feet per minute) at the exhaust port:        -    On March 1, 2018, at COS Line 6 the air velocity at the exhaust port of the downdraft exhaust hood at the Re-Work Station was approximately 80 fpm.    * Provide improved ventilation for the Mixing Stations on the 2nd Level of Pasting.     * Provide properly functioning vacuum lines for the Mixing Stations on the 2nd Level of Pasting.    * Provide improved ventilation for the Grob Band Saw which is used to cut strap (lead alloy) and to cut through batteries on COS Line 6.        * Provide improved separation of lead contaminated waste from general plant waste in COS Line 6.

Issued

May 18, 2018

Abate by

Aug 7, 2020

Penalty

Initial $9,239 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(e)(4)(i): When ventilation was used to control exposure to lead, measurements which demonstrate the effectiveness of the system in controlling exposure were not made at least every three months:    (a) Measurements demonstrating the effectiveness of the ventilation system (such as tests of capture velocity, duct velocity, and static pressure) were not performed at least every three months.   In 2017, the employer measured air velocities for the local exhaust ventilation provided for lead processing equipment on four (4) COS (Cast on Strap) Lines and on three (3) Pasting Lines in February and July.  After July 2017, no additional measurements were made by the employer.    (b) Measurements checking the effectiveness of the various bag houses and other dust collectors associated with the ventilation provided to control exposure to lead, were not performed at least every three months.  In 2017, the employer measured the air flow at these bag houses and other dust collectors in June and November. After November 2017, no additional measurements were made by the employer.

Issued

May 18, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,934 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(f)(3)(i)(A): Respirators required under 29 CFR 1910.1025 for protection against lead were not selected in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134(d)(3)(I)(A):      (a) COS Department - Line Six (6):  On or about March 1, 2018, a Utility worker exposed to lead  at a concentration (11 Times OSHA PEL) in excess of  0.5 milligrams per cubic meter averaged over an eight hour period, utilized a half-mask, air purifying respirator equipped with high efficiency filters.  Use of the half-mask respirator was not in accordance with Table 1 of 29 CFR 1910.134 in that this exposure to lead exceeded the assigned protection factor (10 Times OSHA PEL) of the half-mask respirator.