OSHA Inspection: ALEXANDER TANK COMPANY

Issued

Jul 24, 2018

Abate by

Sep 17, 2018

Penalty

Initial $7,760 · Current $6,984 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:     An effective hearing conservation program which included noise monitoring, audiometric testing of employees, training of employees, and retention of exposure measurements as detailed in the standard was not instituted by the employer.     a) A Sand Blaster was abrasive blasting a tank and performing related work. The noise sampling performed for 438 minutes indicated that the employee was exposed to a 977.8 % noise does which is equivalent to approximately 106.4dBA. Zero exposure was assumed for the 22 minutes not sampled.      a) A Welder was welding, cutting and grinding inside and outside of a tank.  The noise sampling performed for 480 minutes indicated that the employee was exposed to a 116.5% noise dose which is equivalent to approximately 91.1dBA.

Issued

Jul 24, 2018

Abate by

Sep 17, 2018

Penalty

Initial $7,760 · Current $6,984 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 are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE):    On or about January 30, 2018, the employer did not evaluate the workplace to identify tasks requiring effective personal protective equipment for hazards affecting eye, face, hands and other parts of the body, exposing employees to physical and absorption hazards.    On or about March 23, 2018, and time prior thereto, the employer does not ensure employees are using the appropriate eye protection when performing such task as, but not limited to, mixing the epoxy paints and dispensing paint thinners., exposing employees to the hazards of corrosive chemical splashes to the eyes.    On or about March 23, 2018, employees handled chemicals, such as, but not limited to,  coal tar and performed blasting without proper hand protection, exposing employees to chemical hazards and blasting media ricochet.  The hand protection provided allowed for penetration of chemicals and materials to the skin.

Issued

Jul 24, 2018

Abate by

Oct 17, 2018

Penalty

Initial $7,760 · Current $6,984 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): The employer did not establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures. The program shall be updated as necessary to reflect those changes in workplace conditions that affect respirator use.  The employer shall include in the program the following provisions of this section, as applicable:    1) Procedures for selecting respirators for use in the workplace;  2) Medical evaluations of employees required to use respirators;  3) Fit-testing for tight-fitting respirators;  4) Procedures for proper use of respirators in routine work or likely emergencies;  5) Procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and otherwise maintaining respirators;  6) Procedures to ensure adequate air quality, quantity, and flow of breathing air for atmosphere-supplying respirators;  7) Training of employees in the respiratory hazards to which they are potentially exposed during routine and emergency situations;  8) Training of employees in the proper use of respirators including putting on and removing them, any limitations on their use, and their maintenance; and  9) Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program.    On or about January 30, 2018, the employer did not establish a respiratory protection program for employees required to wear respirators while spray painting,  sand blasting and welding, exposing employees to inhalation hazards.    On or about January 30, 2018, the employer did not evaluate the respiratory hazards for employee(s) required to wear respirators while spray painting, sand blasting and welding, exposing employees to inhalation hazards.    On or about January 30, 2018, the employer did not provide medical evaluations to determine the employee's ability to use respirators. Employees use half face and full face cartridge respirators when sweeping out the inside of the tanks and spraying the outside of the tanks, exposing employees to inhalation hazards.    On or about January 30, 2018, fit testing was not provided to employees required to wear 3M full face and half face cartridge tight fitting respirators. Employees paint and sweep sand out of the tanks, exposing employees to inhalation hazards.    On or about January 30, 2018, the employees working in paint spray and sandblasting areas were using respirators that had dust and dirt accumulation on the inside of the respirators. Respirators were placed on the shelf and were not cleaned, disinfected before use, and were being shared by employees, exposing employees to respiratory hazards.    On or about March 26, 2018, employees used a supplied air respirator system that had sorbent filters that were not maintained or replaced in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, exposing employees to respiratory hazards.    On or about March 23, 2018, employees utilized two compressors to supply breathing air to respirators. Neither of the compressors had a tag indicating the most recent filter change date or the person authorized to perform the change, exposing employees to respiratory hazards.    On or about March 23, 2018, employees utilized half face, full face, and supplied air respirators in the paint and media blasting area. They were not trained on the care, use, and limitations of the respirators, exposing employees to respiratory hazards.

Issued

Jul 24, 2018

Abate by

Oct 17, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(i)(1)(ii): 29 CFR 1910.134(i)(1)(ii): Compressed breathing air did not meet at least the requirements for Grade D breathing air described in ANSI/Compressed Gas Association Commodity Specification for Air, G-7.1-1989, to include:   (A): Oxygen content (v/v) of 19.5-23.5%;   (B): Hydrocarbon (condensed) content of 5 milligrams per cubic meter of air or less;   (C): Carbon monoxide (CO) content of 10 ppm or less;   (D): Carbon dioxide content of 1,000 ppm or less; and   (E): Lack of noticeable odor.    a) On or about March 23, 2018, employees used a supplied air respirator during sand blasting and painting operations. The supplied air is provided by one of three compressors, two permanent stationary compressors and one rented trailer mounted compressor. None of the supplied air has been tested and the systems have no carbon monoxide alarm or other form of CO monitoring. None of the systems filters are changed on a regular basis, exposing employees to respiratory hazards.    b) On or about March 23, 2018, employees used a supplied air respirator during sand blasting. The supplied air is provided by one rented trailer mounted compressor. The supplied air has not been tested nor does the system have a carbon monoxide alarm or other form of CO monitoring. The system filter is not changed on a regular basis, exposing employees to respiratory hazards.

Issued

Jul 24, 2018

Abate by

Oct 17, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(i)(7): Oil-lubricated compressor(s) were used to supply breathing air without high-temperature alarm(s) and the air supply was not monitored at intervals sufficient to prevent carbon monoxide in the breath air from exceeding 10 ppm:    On or about March 23, 2018 and times prior to, employees were required to wear a supplied air respirator during abrasive blasting operations. The supplied air from the compressor was not monitored for carbon monoxide levels or equipped with a high temperature alarm, exposing employees to respiratory hazards.

Issued

Jul 24, 2018

Abate by

Oct 17, 2018

Penalty

Initial $7,760 · Current $6,984 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:    On or about January 30, 2018, the employer did not develop and implement a hazard communication program when chemicals are being used in the workplace, The employees are using chemicals such as paints, thinners, sandblasting media and welding rods in their daily tasks without being trained in the hazards, exposing employees to eye, skin and inhalation hazards.