OSHA Inspection: QVEST SANITATION LLC

Issued

Apr 24, 2019

Abate by

May 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $11,252 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(i): The employer did not select and have each affected employee use, the types of personal protective equipment that would protect the affected employee(s) from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment.    On or about February 6, 2019 and at times prior thereto, the employer did not select or enforce the use of the proper fitting personal protective equipment that would protect employee(s) performing sanitation operations on the production and kill floor of Texas Packing Company, exposing employee(s) to the hazards of corrosive materials:    a) A employee was observed foaming the kill floor with a corrosive chemical while wearing a protective jacket that did not cover the full length of their arms.    b) A employee was observed foaming the processing floor with a corrosive chemical and not wearing a protective jacket.    c) A employee was observed performing cleaning and sanitation operations without wearing hearing protection.    d) A employee was observed handling corrosive chemicals without wearing protective goggles.

Issued

Apr 24, 2019

Abate by

May 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $11,252 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): In any workplace where respirators are necessary to protect employee health or whenever respirators are required by the employer, a written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented.     On or about February 6, 2019 and at times prior thereto, an employee(s) were required to wear a respirator during tasks including but not limited to chemical spraying operations, exposing the employee(s) to the hazards of respirator use. The employer did not implement or provide a written respiratory protection program including but not limited to the following:    a) Ensuring employees were medically cleared to wear a respirator.    b) Ensuring respirators were stored to protect against contamination.    c) Prohibiting facial hair to ensure a good respirator to face seal.     d)Training on proper use and care of respirators.

Issued

Apr 24, 2019

Abate by

May 13, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,501 · Current $1,000 Reduced

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.    On or about February 6, 2019 and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure an emergency eyewash station was located in the chemical storage area were employees are exposed to corrosive materials such as but not limited to, LK-Econochlor, exposing employees to the hazards of corrosive chemical splash.

Issued

Apr 24, 2019

Abate by

May 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $22,505 · Current $15,000 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. The program shall address and complete the element's described in this section including, but not limited to, the following:    a) Develop a written hazard communication program with a list of hazardous chemicals known to be present in the facility and methods the employer will use to inform employees of the hazards of the chemicals;   b) Ensure labeling is maintained for each chemical container, including the identity of the chemical and hazards warnings.   c) Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each hazardous chemical in the workplace, such as but not limited to;  d) Train employees on hazardous chemicals in their workplace on the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced in the employees' workplace. Employees shall be trained on the requirements of this section, operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present, and the location and availability of the written hazard communication program including the list of hazardous chemicals and safety data sheets.    On or about February 6, 2019 and times prior thereto, the employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program for employees exposed to such chemicals as but not limited to, Sodium Hypochlorite, LK-Econochlor, Foam Brite, Double Quat,  LK-Max, and Anhydrous Ammonia, exposing employees to health hazards.     The QVEST Sanitation, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1) , which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1088351, citation number 1, item number 3 and was affirmed as a final order on February 12, 2016, with respect to a workplace located at 6301 E Stassney Lane,  Austin, TX 78744.

Issued

Apr 24, 2019

Abate by

May 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $1,052 · Current $273 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification which included the requirements as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2).    On or about February 6, 2019 and at times prior thereto, the employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed, the date(s) of the hazard assessment, and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.