OSHA Inspection: GRAHAM WELDING, INC.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Jan 10, 2020

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.25(b)(3): The employer did not ensure that the stairs had uniform riser heights and tread depths between the landings:    On or about April 25, 2019, employees were exposed to fall hazards because the stairs leading to the second floor above Extruder 2 did not have uniform riser heights:     a) 11-inches to 13-inches sloped 7-degrees between step 0 and step 1;    b) 9.5-inches to 9.5-inches sloped 7-degrees between step 1 and step 2;    c) 8-inches sloped 7-degrees between steps 2, 3 and 4;    d) 7.75-inches sloped 10-degrees between step 5 and step 6;    e) 8-inches to 7-inches sloped 10-degrees between steps 6, 7, 8, and 9;    f) 7.25-inches to 5.25-inches sloped 10-degrees between step 9 and step 10; and    g) 5.5-inches sloped 10-degrees between step 10 and step 11.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Jan 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $3,126 · Current $3,126

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 1910.95(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 May 29, 2019, the employer did not administer an effective hearing conservation program that included noise monitoring, required use of suitable hearing protectors, training, audiometric testing, and recordkeeping for an employee cleaning brass nuts.     Employee one was exposed to continuous noise levels at 129.5-percent of the permissible daily noise exposure, or an equivalent sound level of approximately 91.8 dBA, during the 401-minute sampling period on May 29, 2019; exposure calculations include a zero increment of 79-minutes not sampled.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Oct 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $1,875 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1)(v): Employee(s) required to use PPE by this section were not trained to know the proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the PPE:    On or about March 22, 2019, an employee handling a basket of nuts through the phosphoric acid bath line was exposed to contact with phosphoric acid solution and the gloves were observed:    a) with the dipped PVC portion of the glove cut allowing water to enter the finger areas; and    b) stored on a bench after being damaged.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Oct 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(3): The employer did not provide protective eyewear for employees who required prescription glasses:     On or about March 22, 2019, the employer did not require the use of suitable eye protection and the following employees were exposed to eye injury:    a) an employee handling a basket of nuts through the phosphoric acid bath line was exposed to contact with phosphoric acid solution; and     b) an employee spray painting a metal trash container was exposed to contact with Sherwing Williams Sher-Kem enamel coating containing 2-butanone.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Dec 20, 2019

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

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 March 22, 2019, the employer did not provide a suitable face and body wash for quick drenching in the Nut Room and an employee was exposed to Phosphoric Acid 75-percent NSF (diluted pH 2) when etching brass nuts.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Oct 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $1,875 · Current $1,372 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:    On or about April 25, 2019 in the Nut room, an employee was exposed to caught-in hazards when using a wire wheel attached to a Genesis bench grinder and the employer did not provide machine guarding to cover the exposed spindle end shaft.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Oct 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(i): Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings were not effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment:    On or about April 25, 2019, in the Nut Room, employees were exposed to electrical hazards and the employer did not ensure that electrical equipment was effectively closed exposing employees to electrical hazards in the following instances:     a) General Electric distribution panel with unused conduit opening; and    b) Square D electrical distribution panel with unused openings where breakers 5 and 11 were missing.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Oct 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(8)(i): Electrical equipment was not firmly secured to the surface on which it was mounted:    On or about March 20, 2019, employees were exposed to electrical hazards and the employer provided a snap switch for the bathroom light and the switch was not firmly secured to the wall.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Oct 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:    On or about April 25, 2019, in the Nut Room, the employer did not ensure that flexible cables were not used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure exposing employees to electrical hazards at the paint line where an orange flexible cord was used between a receptacle and task light.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Oct 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(i): Portable cord and plug connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) were not visually inspected before use on any shift for external defects (such as loose parts, deformed and missing pins, or damage to outer jacket or insulation) and for evidence of possible internal damage (such as pinched or crushed outer jacket):    On or about April 25, 2019, in the Nut Room, employees were exposed to electrical shock hazard from a flexible cord used to power a fan (Krenz-Vent Serial No. 2-344) that was not visually inspected and the outer insulation was torn exposing the inner wiring.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Oct 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(ii): There was a defect or evidence of damage that could have exposed an employee to injury and the defective or damaged item was not removed from service:  On or about April 25, 2019, in the Nut Room, employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards from a flexible cord used to power a fan (Krenz-Vent Serial No. 2-344) that was not removed from service and the outer insulation was torn exposing the inner wiring.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Jan 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1018(e)(2): Initial monitoring was not performed for each workplace, or work operation covered by 29 CFR 1910.1018 to accurately determine the airborne concentration of inorganic arsenic to which employees may be exposed:      On or about April 25, 2019 in the Nut room, the employer did not determine if the employees were exposed to inorganic arsenic above the action level and an employee wire brushing brass nuts was exposed to dust and debris containing arsenic.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Oct 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1018(j)(1)(i): The employer did not provide at no cost to employees and did not ensure use of coveralls or similar full-body work clothing by all employee(s) working in regulated areas or for whom the possibility of skin or eye irritation from inorganic Arsenic existed:     On or about April 25, 2019, in the Nut Room, an employee was exposed to skin contact with brass nuts containing arsenic (0.0013-percent) when wire brushing the nuts and the employer did not provide suitable coveralls or similar full-body work clothing.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Oct 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1018(j)(1)(ii): The employer did not provide at no cost to employees and did not ensure use of gloves, and shoes or coverlets by all employee(s) working in regulated areas or for whom the possibility of skin or eye irritation from inorganic arsenic existed:     On or about April 25, 2019, in the Nut Room, an employee was exposed to skin contact with brass nuts containing arsenic (0.0013-percent) when wire brushing the nuts and the employer did not provide suitable gloves and shoes or shoe coverlets.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Aug 1, 2020

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(d)(2): An initial determination was not made to determine if any employee may be exposed to lead at or above the action level:    On or about April 25, 2019 in the Nut room, the employer did not determine if the employees were exposed to lead above the action level and an employee wire brushing brass nuts was exposed to dust and debris containing lead.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Oct 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(1)(i): The employer did not provide, at no cost to the employee, and ensure that the employee used appropriate protective work clothing and equipment that prevented contamination of the employee and the employee's garments, such as, but not limited to coveralls or similar full-body work clothing:     On or about April 25, 2019, in the Nut Room, an employee was exposed to skin contact with brass nuts containing lead (0.39-percent) when wire brushing the nuts and the employer did not provide suitable coveralls or similar full-body work clothing.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Oct 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(1)(ii): Appropriate protective work clothing and equipment was not provided when employee(s) were exposed to lead above the permissible exposure limit (PEL), without regard to the use of respirators, or where the possibility of skin or eye irritation exists, such as shoes or disposable shoe coverlets:    On or about April 25, 2019, in the Nut Room, an employee was exposed to skin contact with brass nuts containing lead (0.39-percent) when wire brushing the nuts and the employer did not provide suitable gloves.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Oct 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(l)(1)(i): Each employer who has a workplace in which there is a potential exposure to airborne lead at any level did not inform employees of the content of Appendices A and B of this regulation:    On or about April 25, 2019 in the Nut room, an employee was potentially exposed to airborne lead and the employer did not inform the employee of Appendices A and B of the lead standard.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Jan 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(m)(1)(i): The employer did not comply with all the requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard for lead:    On or about April 25, 2019, an employee was exposed to lead when wire brushing lead containing brass nuts in the Nut Room and the employer did not develop a written Hazard Communication Program which included:    a)  hazard classifications of lead including reproductive/developmental toxicity; central nervous system effects; kidney effects; blood effects; and acute toxicity;    b)  employee access to labels for containers containing lead and lead contaminants;    c)  employee access to safety data sheets for lead; and    d)  training on the hazards of lead as part of the employer Hazard Communication Program.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Oct 4, 2019

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8): The employer did not ensure that safety data sheets were readily accessible to the employees in their work area during each shift for chemicals used:     On or about March 22, 2019, the employer did not ensure safety data sheets were readily accessible for the employees exposed to the following hazardous chemicals:    a) Sanstrom Poxylube 835;    b) Phosphoric Acid 75-percent NSF; and    c) Lead.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Oct 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(7): The employer did not use signs, placards, process sheets, batch tickets, operating procedures, or other such written materials or affix labels to individual stationary process containers:     On or about March 22, 2019, in the Nut Room, employees were exposed to an acid bath line containing a dilution of Phosphoric Acid 75-percent NSF (pH 2) when they etched brass nuts and the employer did not label the wash and rinse tanks with the identity of its contents.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Jan 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $3,751 · Current $3,751

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:    On or about April 25, 2019, an employee engaged in cleaning paint from brass nuts using a wire wheel brush and was required to wear an N95 filtering facepiece respirator. The employer did not establish a written respiratory program with worksite specific procedures that included the following:    a) Procedures for selecting tight-fitting respirators;    b) Procedures for fit testing tight-fitting respirators;    c) Procedures on employee medical evaluations and the recordkeeping requirements;    d) Procedures for the proper use of respirators in routine and reasonable foreseeable emergency situations;    e) Procedures and schedules for inspecting, and discarding the respirators; and    f) Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program.      GRAHAM WELDING, INC. WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1), WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 1224764, CITATION NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 1a AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON OCTOBER 5, 2017, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 813 E NORTH ST, DECATUR, IL 62521.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Jan 31, 2020

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:    On or about April 25, 2019, an employee was required to wear an N95 filtering facepiece respirator and the employer did not provide a medical evaluation prior to use of the respirator.    GRAHAM WELDING, INC. WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD 29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1), WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 1224764, CITATION NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 1b AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON OCTOBER 5, 2017, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 813 E NORTH ST. DECATUR, IL 62521.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Jan 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 and at least annually thereafter:    On or about April 25, 2019, an employee was required to wear an N95 filtering facepiece respirator when wire brushing brass nuts and the employer did not provide a fit test.    GRAHAM WELDING, INC. WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD 29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2), WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 1224764, CITATION NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 1c AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON OCTOBER 5, 2017, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 813 E NORTH ST, DECATUR, IL 62521.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Jan 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)[A]: The employer did not prohibit a tight-fitting facepiece to be worn by employees who had facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face:    On or about April 25, 2019, an employee was exposed to Particulates Not Otherwise Regulated and wore an N95 filtering facepiece respirator and the employer did not prohibit employees with facial hair that interfered with the seal of the respirator from using a tight fitting respirator.    GRAHAM WELDING, INC. WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD 29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A), WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 1224764, CITATION NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 1d AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON OCTOBER 5, 2017, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 813 E NORTH ST, DECATUR, IL 62521.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Jan 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1): The employer did not provide respirator training that would ensure each employee could demonstrate knowledge of items in section (i)-(vii):    On or about April 25, 2019, the employer required an employee exposed to Particulates Not Otherwise Regulated when wire brushing brass nuts to wear an N95 filtering facepiece respirator and the employer did not ensure employees were trained on the following at least annually:      a) Why respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator;   b) What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are;   c) How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions;    d) How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator;   e) What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator;   f) How to recognize the medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators; and   g) The general requirements of this section.      GRAHAM WELDING, INC. WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD 29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1), WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 1224764, CITATION NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 1f AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON OCTOBER 5, 2017, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 813 E NORTH ST, DECATUR, IL 62521.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Jan 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,001 · Current $5,001

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:    On or about April 25, 2019, in the Nut Room, employees painted metals and broom swept lead containing debris and the employer did not develop, implement and maintain a site-specific written hazard communication program with at least a description of how the criteria for the following requirements would be met by the company:    a) use of labels and other forms of warning;    b) access to safety data sheets;    c) provision of hazardous chemical information and training to employees;    d) maintenance of an updated list of hazardous chemicals present at the facility;     e) methods the employer will use to inform employees of the hazards of non-routine tasks and hazards associated with chemicals contained in unlabeled pipes in their work areas; and    f) methods the employer will use to inform other employers on-site on their precautionary measures to protect employees during normal operating conditions and in foreseeable emergencies, the labeling system used in the workplace and to provide other employers on-site access to safety data sheets.    GRAHAM WELDING, INC. WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1), WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 1224764, CITATION NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 4a AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON OCTOBER 5, 2017, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 813 E NORTH ST, DECATUR, IL 62521.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Jan 31, 2020

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 chemical hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:    On or about March 22, 2019, the employer did not provide employees information and training on the hazardous chemicals in their work area, including the hazard labels and pictograms, and the employees cleaned and painted brass nuts were exposed to the following hazardous chemicals:    a) Sanstrom Poxylube 835; and    b) Phosphoric Acid 75-percent NSF.    GRAHAM WELDING, INC. WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1), WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 1224764, CITATION NUMBER 1, ITEM NUMBER 4c AND WAS AFFIRMED AS A FINAL ORDER ON OCTOBER 5, 2017, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 813 E NORTH ST, DECATUR, IL 62521.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Jan 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present, or were likely to be present, which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).  If such hazards were present, or likely to be present, the employer did not: (i) Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that would protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment; (ii) Communicate selection decisions to each affected employee; and (iii) Select PPE that properly fit each affected employee:    On or about April 25, 2019, the employer did not assess the workplace respiratory hazards for the employee using an N95 respirator while they wire-brushed over-sprayed paint from brass nuts.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Jan 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment for the use of personal protective equipment has 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:    On or about March 22, 2019, the employer did not document a personal protective equipment hazard assessment for the acid washing, painting, and wire brushing tasks, by means of a written certification that included the name of the person who certified that the evaluation had been performed and the date that the hazard assessment was completed.

Issued

Sep 5, 2019

Abate by

Aug 1, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1027(d)(1)(i): Each employer who has a workplace or work operation covered by this section shall determine if any employee may be exposed to cadmium at or above the action level:    On or about April 25, 2019, employees working in the Nut room were exposed to dust and debris containing cadmium above the action level while wire brushing brass nuts.