OSHA Inspection: OLEK, INC.

Issued

2024-02-16 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-02-26 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $518.00 · Current $518.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1903.19(c)(1):The employer did not certify to OSHA, within 10 calendar days after the abatement date, that the cited violation had been abated:  a) Facility  The employer did not provide abatement certification for inspection number 1352493: Citation 1 Item 7 - 29 CFR 1910.107(b)(5)(i) Citation 1 item 10a - 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1) Citation 1 Item 10b - 29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1) Citation 1 Item 10c - 29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2) Citation 1 Item 10d - 29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A) Citation 1 Item 10e - 29 CFR 1910.134(h)(2)(i) Citation 1 Item 12 - 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i) Citation 1 Item 14 - 29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(ii) Citation 1 Item 19 - 29 CFR 1910.1052(h)(1) Citation 1 Item 20a - 29 CFR 1910.1052(i)1) Citation 1 Item 20b - 29 CFR 1910.151(c) Citation 1 Item 22c - 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)  The citations were issued on 02/21/2019 and received by the employer on 04/08/2019.  The citations became a final order on 12/19/2022.  Violation occurred on or about 01/03/2024.

Issued

2024-02-16 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-02-26 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $518.00 · Current $518.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1903.19(d)(1):The employer did not submit to the Agency documents demonstrating that abatement is complete for each willful or repeat violation and for any serious violation for which the Agency indicates in the citation that such abatement documentation is required:  a) Facility  The employer did not submit abatement certification and documentation for inspection number 1352493: Citation 1 Item 2 - 29 CFR 1910.28(b(1)(i) Citation 1 Item 10f - 29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1) Citation 1 Item 16a - 29 CFR 1910.1052(c)(1) Citation 1 Item 16b - 29 CFR 1910.1052(c)(2) Citation 1 Item 16c - 29 CFR 1910.1052(f)(1) Citation 1 Item 16d - 29 CFR 1910.1052(g)(1) Citation 1 Item 18 - 29 CFR 1910.1052(e)(1) Citation 1 Item 22a - 29 CFR 1910.1052(k)(6)(i) Citation 1 Item 22b - 29 CFR 1910.1052(l)(1) Citation 1 Item 22d - 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1)  The citations were issued on 02/21/2019 and received by the employer on 04/08/2019.  The citations became a final order on 12/19/2022.  Violation occurred on or about 01/03/2024.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5304.00 · Current $2864.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that was 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level was protected from falling by one or more of the following:  Guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems:  a) Mezzanine  The employer did not ensure that an employee on the mezzanine approximately 9 feet above the wood shop floor was protected from falling off the open edge.  Violation occurred on or about 10/10/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3031.00 · Current $1637.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(d)(1): Employees were not able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge.:  a) Downstairs office      The exit door to the outside was locked from the inside using a slide bar at the top of the door hindering employee egress in the event of a fire or other emergency.  Violation observed on or about 10/10/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3031.00 · Current $1637.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2): Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "EXIT":  a) Downstairs office exit door b) Door leading from wood shop to downstairs office c) Exit door by dock door                Doors designated as emergency exits were not marked with "EXIT" signs.  Violation observed on or about 10/10/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3789.00 · Current $2046.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(b)(5)(i): There were no visible gauges, audible alarms or pressure activated devices installed in paint spray booths to indicate or ensure that the required air speed was maintained. The average air speed over the open face of the paint spray booth was less than 100 linear feet per minute:  a) Spray Booth  There were no visible gauges, audible alarms or pressure activated devices installed on the spray booth used by employees who apply acrylic, lacquer and urethane and also use paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride so as to indicate/ensure air velocity was maintained.  The air velocity averaged 68 fpm and 55 fpm.  Violation observed on or about 10/10/2018 and 12/3/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3789.00 · Current $2046.00 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:  (a) Facility  The employer did not implement a written respiratory program for employees required to wear respirators such as, but not limited to, 3M 6200 half mask, negative pressure and Gerson 1730 filtering facepiece respirators while conducting welding and paint stripping activities.  Violation occurred on or about 12/03/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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) Facility  The employer did not provide medical evaluations for employees required to wear respirators such as, but not limited to, 3M 6200 half mask, negative pressure and Gerson 1730 filtering facepiece respirators while performing welding activities.  Violation occurred on or about 12/03/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter:  a) Facility  1) The employer did not provide fit tests to employees required to wear respirators such as, but not limited to, 3M 6200 half mask, negative pressure and Gerson 1730 filtering facepiece respirators while performing welding activities.  2) The employer did not provide fit tests for employees conducting paint stripping and wore different respirator model than what they were originally fit tested for.  Violation occurred on or about 12/03/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 1730

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:  a) Facility       An employee wore a tight fitting respirator with facial hair while furniture stripping with methylene chloride.  Violation observed on or about 12/03/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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) Metalworking area  A respirator used by an employee was not stored to protect the respirator from contamination of the facepiece and damage to the headgear.  Violation observed on or about 12/3/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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):  a) Metalworking area  The employer did not provide effective training to include the use, care and limitations of respirators employees were required to wear such as, but not limited to, 3M 6200 half mask, negative pressure and Gerson 1730 filtering facepiece respirators while welding, cutting and stripping paint.  Violation occurred on or about 12/3/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3031.00 · Current $1637.00 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):  a) Finishing area  Live parts of an outlet and a Chromalox Radiant Heater were not guarded.  Violation observed on or about 11/7/2018 and 12/3/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3031.00 · Current $1637.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(ii): Flexible cords were not used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap:  a) Metalworking area  A flexible cord used to power portable tools was spliced and not used in continuous length.  Violation observed on or about 12/3/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5304.00 · Current $2864.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(c)(1): The employer did not ensure that no employee(s) was exposed to an airborne concentration of methylene chloride in excess of twenty-five parts per million as an 8-hour TWA:  a) Facility   Employees using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride were exposed to methylene chloride at 40.7 parts per million (ppm) and 178.1 parts per million as an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA)  concentration which were 1.6 and 7.1 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 25 ppm.  Employees were sampled for 381 and 391 minutes respectively with zero exposures assumed for 99 minutes and 89 minutes that were not sampled.  Violation occurred on or about 12/3/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(c)(2): The employer did not ensure that no employee was exposed to an airborne concentration of methylene chloride in excess of 125 parts per million as determined over a sampling period of 15 minutes:  a) Facility  An employee using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride was exposed to methylene chloride at 305.1 parts per million (ppm) as a 15 minute short term exposure concentration which was 2.4 times the short term exposure limit (STEL) of 125 ppm.  Violation occurred on or about 12/3/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(f)(1): The employer did not institute and maintain the effectiveness of engineering controls and work practices to reduce employee exposure to or below the permissible exposure limits and wherever the feasible engineering controls and work practices which can be instituted were not sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the 8-hour time weighted average permissible exposure limit or short term exposure limit, the employer did not use them to reduce employee exposure to the lowest levels achievable and did not supplement them by the use of respiratory protection that compiled with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1052(g):  a) Facility  Effective engineering controls were not used to keep exposure of employees to methylene chloride below 25 ppm as an 8 hour time weighted average and 125 ppm as a short term exposure limit.  Employees using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride were exposed to methylene chloride at 40.7 parts per million (ppm) and 178.1 parts per million as an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) concentration which were 1.6 and 7.1 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 25 ppm.  Employees were sampled for 381 and 391 minutes respectively with zero exposures assumed for 99 minutes and 89 minutes that were not sampled.  An employee using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride was exposed to methylene chloride at 305.1 parts per million (ppm) as a 15 minute short term exposure concentration which was 2.4 times the short term exposure limit (STEL) of 125 ppm.  Violation occurred on or about 12/3/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(g)(1): For employees who use respirators required by 29 CFR 1910.1052, the employer did not provide each employee an appropriate respirator that complied with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1052(g):  a) Facility  The employer did not provide appropriate respirators to employees using paint stripper containing methylene chloride at 75-80%.  The employees were over-exposed to methylene chloride while using half mask negative pressure respirators equipped with organic vapor cartridges.  Employees were required to be provided with and use atmosphere-supplying respirators such as airline or self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) during such work operations.  Employees using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride were exposed to methylene chloride at 40.7 parts per million (ppm) and 178.1 parts per million as an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) concentration which were 1.6 and 7.1 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 25 ppm.  Employees were sampled for 381 and 391 minutes respectively with zero exposures assumed for 99 minutes and 89 minutes that were not sampled.   An employee using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride was exposed to methylene chloride at 305.1 parts per million (ppm) as a 15 minute short term exposure concentration which was 2.4 times the short term exposure limit (STEL) of 125 ppm.  Violation occurred on or about 12/3/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5304.00 · Current $2864.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1730

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:  a) Facility  The employer did not perform initial monitoring for employees using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride.   Employees using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride were exposed to methylene chloride at 40.7 parts per million (ppm) and 178.1 parts per million as an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) concentration which were 1.6 and 7.1 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 25 ppm.  Employees were sampled for 381 and 391 minutes respectivelywith zero exposures assumed for 99 minutes and 89 minutes that were not sampled.    An employee using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride was exposed to methylene chloride at 305.1 parts per million (ppm) as a 15 minute short term exposure concentration which was 2.4 times the short term exposure limit (STEL) of 125 ppm.  Violation occurred on or about 12/3/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5304.00 · Current $2864.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(e)(1): The employer did not establish a regulated area wherever an employee's exposure to airborne concentrations of methylene chloride exceeded or could reasonably be expected to exceed either the 8-hour Time Weighted Average Permissible Exposure Limit or the Short Term Exposure Limit:  a) Facility  The employer did not establish a regulated area for employees exposed to methylene chloride while using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride.  Employees using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride were exposed to methylene chloride at 40.7 parts per million (ppm) and 178.1 parts per million as an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) concentration which were 1.6 and 7.1 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 25 ppm.  Employees were sampled for 381 and 391 minutes respectively with zero exposures assumed for 99 minutes and 89 minutes that were not sampled.  An employee using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride was exposed to methylene chloride at 305.1 parts per million (ppm) as a 15 minute short term exposure concentration which was 2.4 times the short term exposure limit (STEL) of 125 ppm.  Violation occurred on or about 12/3/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3789.00 · Current $2046.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(h)(1): Where needed to prevent methylene chloride induced skin or eye irritation, the employer did not provide clean protective clothing and equipment resistant to methylene chloride, at no cost to the employee, and/or did not ensure that each affected employee used it:  a) Facility  The employer did not provide and ensure that employees wore protective clothing and eye protection when using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride.  Violation occurred on or about 12/3/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3789.00 · Current $2046.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(i)(1): Where it was reasonably foreseeable that employee's skin may contact solutions containing 0.1 percent or greater methylene chloride and the employer did not provide conveniently located washing facilities capable of removing the methylene chloride and did not ensure that affected employees use these facilities as needed:  a) Facility  The employer did not provide washing facilities for employees using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride.  Violation occurred on or about 12/3/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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) Finishing Area  An eyewash/shower was not provided when employees use corrosive materials such as, but not limited to, Klean Strip Wood Bleach Part B containing hydrogen peroxide and has a pH of 2.5-3.4.  Violation observed on or about 10/10/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5304.00 · Current $2864.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(j)(1)(i): The employer did not make medical surveillance available for employees who were or potentially were  exposed to methylene chloride at or above the action level on 30 or more days per year, or above the 8-hour time weighted average permissible exposure limit or the short term exposure limit on 10 or more days per year:  a) Facility  The employer did not make medical surveillance available for employees exposed to methylene chloride while using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride.   Employees using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride were exposed to methylene chloride at 40.7 parts per million (ppm) and 178.1 parts per million as an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) concentration which were 1.6 and 7.1 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 25 ppm.  Employees were sampled for 381 and 391 minutes respectively with zero exposures assumed for 99 minutes and 89 minutes that were not sampled.    An employee using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride was exposed to methylene chloride at 305.1 parts per million (ppm) as a 15 minute short term exposure concentration which was 2.4 times the short term exposure limit (STEL)of 125 ppm.  Violation occurred on or about 12/3/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $1402.00

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(k)(1)(i): The employer did not comply with all requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) (1910.1200) for MC:  a) Facility  The employer did not comply with the hazard communication standard for employees who use paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride.  Violation occurred on or about 11/7/2018.  An employee using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride was exposed to methylene chloride at 305.1 parts per million (ppm) as a 15 minute short term exposure concentration which was 2.4 times the short term exposure limit (STEL)of 125 ppm.  Employees using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride were exposed to methylene chloride at 40.7 parts per million (ppm) and 178.1 parts per million as an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) concentration which were 1.6 and 7.1 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 25 ppm.  Employees were sampled for 381 and 391 minutes respectively with zero exposures assumed for 99 minutes and 89 minutes that were not sampled.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(l)(1): The employer did not provide information and training for each affected employee prior to or at the time of initial assignment to a job involving potential exposure to methylene chloride:  a) Facility  The employer did not provide information and training to employees using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride.  Employees using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride were exposed to methylene chloride at 40.7 parts per million (ppm) and 178.1 parts per million as an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) concentration which were 1.6 and 7.1 times the permissible exposure limit o(PEL) of 25 ppm.  Employees were sampled for 381 and 391 minutes respectively with zero exposures assumed for 99 minutes and 89 minutes that were not sampled.  An employee using paint stripper containing 75-80% methylene chloride was exposed to methylene chloride at 305.1 parts per million (ppm) as a 15 minute short term exposure concentration which was 2.4 times the short term exposure limit (STEL) of 125 ppm.  Violation occurred on or about 12/3/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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:  a) Facility  The employer did not implement the written hazard communication program for employees exposed to hazardous materials such as, but not limited to, Kleen Strip Wood Bleach containing hydrogen peroxide, and lacquer containing acetone and propane and wood dust which was found to be explosive.  Violation occurred on or about 10/10/18.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances M102

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) Facility  The employer did not provide information and training for employees exposed to hazardous materials such as, but not limited to, Kleen Strip Wood Bleach containing hydrogen peroxide, and lacquer containing acetone and propane and wood dust which was found to be explosive.  Violation occurred on or about 10/10/2018.

Issued

2019-02-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(c)(1)(i): Toilet facilities were not provided in accordance with TABLE J-1 of this Section:  a) Facility  The employer did not have the appropriate number of toilet facilities for 25 employees.  Violation occurred on or about 10/10/2018.