OSHA Inspection: PHASSET USA

Issued

Jun 26, 2019

Abate by

Jul 23, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,282 · Current $4,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.9(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:    On or about March 7, 2019, and at times prior thereto, an effective hearing conservation program which included noise monitoring, audiometric testing of employees, training of employees, and retention of exposure measurements as detailed in the standard was not instituted by the employer.    a) Annual audiometric testing of employees exposed at or above an 8-hour TWA of 85 decibels has not been conducted since 2016;  b) Annual training on hearing conservation for employees exposed at or above an 8-hour TWA of 85 decibels, to include proper fitting and use of hearing protectors, has not been conducted since December 4, 2017.  c) A slab polisher was utilizing tools to polish a stone product and performing related work. The noise sampling performed for 463 minutes indicated that the employee was exposed to a 224.8% noise dose, which is equivalent to approximately 96 dB. Zero exposure was assumed for the 17 minutes not sampled.  d) A slab polisher was utilizing tools to polish a stone product and performing related work. The noise sampling performed for 484 minutes indicated that the employee was exposed to a 51.4% noise dose which is equivalent to approximately 85.1 dB.

Issued

Jun 26, 2019

Abate by

Jul 9, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,956 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.101(b): The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, rail tankcars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks were not in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in CFR 1910.6:    On or about 7 March 2019 and at times prior thereto, in the maintenance area, oxygen and acetylene gas cylinders in storage were not secured either by a chain, strap, or cage, exposing employees to the hazard of being struck by a flying projectile.    The Phasset USA DBA Alpha Granite was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard (29 CFR 1910.101(b)), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1121846, citation number 1, item number 1a, and was affirmed as a final order on 06/22/2016, with respect to a workplace located at 915 W. Howard Lane, Austin, TX 78753.

Issued

Jun 26, 2019

Penalty

Initial $265 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.110(f)(2)(i): Containers in storage were not located so as to minimize exposure to excessive temperature rise, physical damage, or tampering by unauthorized persons.    On or about 7 March 2019 and at times prior thereto, in the marble slab yard, two (2) 33.5 lb propane cylinders and two (2) 17.5 lb propane cylinders in storage were not secured and were located outside of their propane storage cages, exposing employees to the hazards of being struck by debris from an exploding cylinder.    The Phasset USA DBA Alpha Granite was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.110(f)(2)(I), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1121846, citation number 2, item number 1, and was affirmed as a final order on 06/22/2016, with respect to a workplace located at 915 W. Howard Lane, Austin, TX 78753.

Issued

Jun 26, 2019

Abate by

Jul 9, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,956 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(4)(iii): Oxygen cylinders in storage were not separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet:    On or about 7 March 2019 and at times prior thereto, in the maintenance shop, four (4) oxygen cylinders and two (2) acetylene cylinders were stored without a 20 foot separation or a fire resistant barrier between them, exposing employees to the hazards of fire or explosion.    The Phasset USA DBA Alpha Granite was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.253(b)(4), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1121846, citation number 1, item number 1b, and was affirmed as a final order on 06/22/2016, with respect to a workplace located at 915 W. Howard Lane, Austin, TX 78753.

Issued

Jun 26, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,956 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(f)(2): Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its disconnecting means or overcurrent device, was not legibly marked to indicate its purpose, nor located and arranged so the purpose was evident:    On or about 7 March 2019 and at times prior thereto, outside the fabrication shop, a breaker panel outside of the fabrication shop was not labeled and identified to indicate which circuit the breaker controlled, exposing employees to the hazard of electrical shock.    The Phasset USA DBA Alpha Granite was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.303(f)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1121846, citation number 1, item number 7, and was affirmed as a final order on 06/22/2016, with respect to a workplace located at 915 W. Howard Lane, Austin, TX 78753.

Issued

Jun 26, 2019

Abate by

Jul 9, 2019

Penalty

Initial $7,956 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii): Except as provided in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(7) and 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(8), the employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, would provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical:    On or about 7 March 2019 and at times prior thereto, in the glue mixing area of the fabrication shop, epoxy chemicals consisting of a resin and hardener used for lamination were dispensed from containers that were marked "A" and "B" and not properly labeled, exposing employees to the hazards of chemical exposure to the skin and eyes.    The Phasset USA DBA Alpha Granite was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1121846, citation number 1, item number 8 and was affirmed as a final order on 06/22/2016, with respect to a workplace located at 915 W. Howard Lane, Austin, TX 78753.