OSHA Inspection: WHITE ENGINEERING SURFACES CORPORATION

Issued

Oct 15, 2018

Abate by

Dec 7, 2018

Penalty

Initial $3,298 · Current $2,309 Reduced

Hazardous substances 07202536

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:      a) White Engineering Surfaces -  On or about August 10, 2018, employees were required to use a half-face elastomeric respirator while blending and mixing coating powders containing tungsten and cobalt.  The employer did not provide medical evaluations as required.    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

Oct 15, 2018

Abate by

Dec 7, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 07202536

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):      a) White Engineering Surfaces -  On or about August 10, 2018, employees were required to use a half-face elastomeric respirator while blending and mixing coating powders containing tungsten and cobalt.  The employer did not ensure that employees pass an appropriate qualitative fit test or quantitative fit test.    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.    Note:  Employer may discontinue fit testing if assessments are conducted that indicate respiratory use is not required.

Issued

Oct 15, 2018

Abate by

Dec 7, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 07202536

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1): 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A):  The employer permitted respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees with facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face.    a) White Engineering Surfaces -  On or about August 10, 2018, employees were required to use a half-face elastomeric  respirator while blending and mixing coating powders containing tungsten and cobalt.  The employer did not ensure that employees were clean-shaven as required.    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

Oct 15, 2018

Abate by

Dec 7, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 07202536

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:      a) White Engineering Surfaces -  On or about August 10, 2018, half-face elastomeric respirators being used in the coating and blending departments were being stored out in the open on a continual basis and subject to coating dust.  Respirators were not stored as required by this section.      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

Oct 15, 2018

Abate by

Dec 7, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 07202536

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k): The employer did not provide comprehensive, understandable training which did not occur annually and/or more often if necessary:    a) White Engineering Surfaces -  On or about August 10, 2018, employees were required to use a half-face elastomeric  respirator while blending and mixing coating powders containing tungsten and cobalt.  The employer did not provide effective training on the required training elements of this section.    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

Oct 15, 2018

Abate by

Dec 7, 2018

Penalty

Initial $3,298 · Current $2,309 Reduced

Hazardous substances 07202536

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) White Engineering Surfaces - On or about August 10, 2018, employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals, such as but not limited to, coating powders containing tungsten, ceramic, and cobalt, and the employer did not provide  effective information and training on hazards of such chemicals as required.    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.      ABATEMENT NOTE:  Employees shall be informed of the following:  1. The requirements of this section;  2. Any operations where hazardous chemicals are present;  3. The location and availability of the written Hazard Communication Program, list(s) of hazardous chemicals and Safety Data Sheets.      Employee training shall include at least:  1. Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of hazardous chemical in the work area.  2. The physical, health, simple asphyxiation, combustible dust, and pyrophoric gas hazards, as well as hazards not otherwise classified, of the chemicals in the work area.  3. The measures employees can take to protect themselves such as specific procedures and personal, protective equipment to be used.  4. The details of the employer's Hazard Communication Program including an explanation of the labels received on shipped containers and the workplace labeling system used by the employer; Safety Data Sheets, including the order of information and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information.