OSHA Inspection: UNIVERSAL SYSTEMS USA INC.

Issued

Mar 28, 2019

Abate by

Apr 23, 2019

Penalty

Initial $2,842 · Current $1,421 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):    a. Workroom floor - On or about January 22, 2019, employees were required to use rags soaked with methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) to wipe belts which exposed employees to splashes to the eyes, and the employer failed to ensure that a personal protective equipment (PPE) hazard assessment had been conducted.  b. Workroom floor - On or about January 22, 2019, employees were required to fill belt molds with a mixture containing 80% vibrathane 8007 which had hazardous components including, but not limited to 4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate which exposed employees to skin and eye contact, and the employer failed to failed to ensure that a personal protective equipment (PPE) hazard assessment had been conducted.

Issued

Mar 28, 2019

Abate by

Apr 23, 2019

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:  a. Workroom floor - On or about January 22, 2019, employees were required to fill belt molds with a mixture containing 80% vibrathane 8007 which had hazardous components including, but not limited to 4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate, and the employer failed to ensure that employees wore nitrile rubber gloves as listed in the safety data sheet.

Issued

Mar 28, 2019

Abate by

Apr 23, 2019

Penalty

Initial $1,705 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation:    a. Workroom floor - On or about January 22, 2019, employees were required to use rags soaked with methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) to wipe belts, and the employer failed to ensure that goggles or safety glasses with side shields were worn.  b. Workroom floor - On or about January 22, 2019, employees were required to fill belt molds with a mixture containing 80% vibrathane 8007 which had hazardous components including, but not limited to 4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate, and the employer failed to ensure that goggles or safety glasses with side shields were worn.

Issued

Mar 28, 2019

Abate by

May 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $1,705 · Current $1,705

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. Workroom Floor - On or about January 22, 2019, an employee was wearing a full face air purifying respirator while using methyl ethyl ketone, and the employer did not ensure that an effective respiratory protection program was established.  There was no written program covering fit-testing; change schedules; medical clearance; cleaning, storage, and maintenance requirements; and training requirements.

Issued

Mar 28, 2019

Abate by

May 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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. Workroom Floor - On or about January 22, 2019, an employee was wearing a full face air purifying respirator while using methyl ethyl ketone, and the employer failed to provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to wear a tight fitting respirator.

Issued

Mar 28, 2019

Abate by

May 15, 2019

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):    a. Workroom Floor - On or about January 22, 2019, an employee was wearing a full face air purifying respirator while using methyl ethyl ketone, and the employer did not ensure that employees passed an appropriate fit test.

Issued

Mar 28, 2019

Abate by

May 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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. Workroom Floor - On or about January 22, 2019, an employee was wearing a full face air purifying respirator while using methyl ethyl ketone, and the employer did not ensure that the respirators were stored to protect them from damage.  The respirators were hanging from a bolt on the winding machine.

Issued

Mar 28, 2019

Abate by

May 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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. Workroom Floor - On or about January 22, 2019, an employee was wearing a full face air purifying respirator while using methyl ethyl ketone, and the employer did not provide employees with training as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1)(i)-(v).

Issued

Mar 28, 2019

Abate by

Apr 23, 2019

Penalty

Initial $2,842 · Current $0 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:     a. Workroom Floor - On or about January 22, 2019, employees hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to Vibrathane 8007 and methyl ethyl ketone, and the employer failed to develop and implement a written hazard communication program.  There was no written program covering labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and training requirements

Issued

Mar 28, 2019

Abate by

Apr 23, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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. Workroom Floor - On or about January 22, 2019, employees hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to Vibrathane 8007 and methyl ethyl ketone, and the employer failed to provide effective information and training to employees