OSHA Inspection: VICTOR INSULATORS, INC.

Issued

Jun 28, 2019

Abate by

Jul 15, 2019

Penalty

Initial $6,630 · Current $4,442 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A): Tight fitting face piece respirators were worn when facial hair came between the sealing surface of the face-piece and the face:   a) Lathe Area, on or about 2/8/19: Employee had facial hair and was required to wear a half mask air purifying respirator while conducting maintenance work on a single spindle lathe.

Issued

Jun 28, 2019

Abate by

Jul 18, 2019

Penalty

Initial $6,630 · Current $4,442 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1053(e)(2)(i): The employer did not demarcate regulated areas from the rest of the workplace in a manner that minimized the number of employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica within the regulated area:   a) Lathe Area, on or about 2/21/19:  The employer did not demarcate the Lathe Area in a manner that minimized the number of employees exposed to crystalline silica.

Issued

Jun 28, 2019

Abate by

Jul 18, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1053(e)(2)(ii): The employer failed to post signs at all entrances to regulated areas:  a) Lathe Area, on or about 2/21/19:  The employer failed to post Silica Signs at the Lathe Area.

Issued

Jun 28, 2019

Abate by

Jul 18, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1053(j)(2): The employer did not post signs at all entrances to regulated areas that bear the following legend:  DANGER                                                                                 RESPIRABLE CRYSTALLINE SILICA  MAY CAUSE CANCER  CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS  WEAR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION IN THIS AREA  AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY  a) Lathe Area, on or about 2/21/19:  The employer did not post silica signs in the area noting Lathe Area as a regulated area.

Issued

Jun 28, 2019

Abate by

Aug 2, 2019

Penalty

Initial $13,261 · Current $8,881 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1053(c): The employer did not ensure that no employee was exposed to an airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica in excess of 50 mcg/m3, calculated as an 8-hour TWA:  a)  Clay Batching Area, on or about 2/21/19, an employee making mixes at the Glaze Mill and Ball Mill was exposed to 188.85 micrograms per cubic meter (mcg) of silica, eight hour time weighted average (TWA), approximately 3.77 times the OSHA permissible exposure limit of 50 mcg. The sampling period was for 350 minutes. A zero increment is included for the 130 minutes not sampled. Employee was wearing a Honeywell half mask air purifying respirator.   b) Lathe Area, on or about 2/21/19, an employee working on Lathe 6 & 7  was exposed to 61.72 micrograms per cubic meter (mcg) of silica, eight hour time weighted average (TWA), approximately 1.23 times the OSHA permissible exposure limit of 50 mcg. The sampling period was for 460 minutes. A zero increment is included for the 20 minutes not sampled. Employee was wearing a Honeywell half mask air purifying respirator.  The Victor Insulators, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.1000(c), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1066462, citation number 1, item number 1a and was affirmed as a final order on 10/12/15, with respect to a workplace located at 280 Maple Avenue, Victor, NY 14564.

Issued

Jun 28, 2019

Abate by

Dec 30, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1053(f)(1): The employer did not use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the PEL, unless the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible:  a) Clay Batching Area and Lathe Area, on or about 2/21/19: Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not implemented to reduce employees exposures to silica below the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit. Employees exposures as referenced in Citation 1 Item 1a.   EFFECTIVE MEANS OF ABATEMENT INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:   1. Provide improved local exhaust ventilation at point of operation for both operations    2. Keep ventilation that is installed cleaned so that it operates at maximum capacity     3. Train employees on methods to avoid unnecessary exposure   4. Continue with the respiratory protection program   5. Continue to conduct air monitoring until results are below the Silica PEL     The Victor Insulators, Inc was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.1000(e), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1066462, citation number 1, item number 1b and was affirmed as a final order on 10/12/15, with respect to a workplace located at 280 Maple Avenue, Victor, NY 14564.