OSHA Inspection: BUFFALO ROCK COMPANY

Issued

May 16, 2019

Abate by

Jun 5, 2019

Penalty

Initial $8,051 · Current $5,636 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0640

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 1910.6:    a) On or about 4/10/19 - Water treatment area, a chlorine gas cylinder was leaking and proper procedures were not followed to minimize exposure.

Issued

May 16, 2019

Abate by

Jun 12, 2019

Penalty

Initial $8,051 · Current $5,636 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:    a) On or about 4/9/19 and times prior - Water treatment area, an employee changing out the compressed gas cylinder(s) was exposed to contact with chlorine. The employee was not provided and required to use chemical resistant gloves and chemical resistant clothing.    b) On or about 4/9/19 and times prior - Water treatment area, an employee acting as a spotter during the changeout of chlorine compressed gas cylinder(s) was exposed to contact with chlorine. The employee did not have readily available for use a respirator, chemical resistant gloves and chemical resistant clothing.

Issued

May 16, 2019

Abate by

May 29, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(3): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee who wore prescription lenses while engaged in operations that involved eye hazards wore eye protection that incorporated the prescription in its design, or wore eye protection that could be worn over the prescription lenses without disturbing the proper position of the prescription lenses or the protective lenses:  a) On or about 4/10/19 - Water treatment, employee(s) assigned to product testing were observed wearing prescription glasses. Employee(s) were not provided eye protection, to include goggles or approved safety glasses, that incorporated side shields.  b) On or about 4/10/19 - Water treatment,  employee(s) conducting waste water treatment activities utilized prescription glasses. Employee(s) were not provided eye protection, to include goggles or approved safety glasses, that incorporated side shields.  c) On or about 4/9/19 - Water treatment, employee(s) assigned to chlorine changeout utilized prescription glasses.  Employee(s) were not provided eye protection, to include goggles or approved safety glasses, that incorporated side shields.

Issued

May 16, 2019

Abate by

Jul 30, 2019

Penalty

Initial $8,051 · Current $5,636 Reduced

Hazardous substances 01700640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator were not annually fit tested:    a) On or about 4/9/19 - at the site, employees were provided and used Survivair OPTI-Fit full-face respirators. An annual fit test for respirators users had not been completed.

Issued

May 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $8,051 · Current $5,636 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0640

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:     a) On or about 4/9/19 - Chlorine storage area, employees exposed to contact with chlorine, a corrosive material, while changing out chlorine compressed gas cylinders, were not provided an eyewash/shower.

Issued

May 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $8,051 · Current $5,636 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.39(a)(2): The employer did not report within 24-hours a work-related incident resulting in in-patient hospitalization, amputation or the loss of an eye:    a) On or about 4/9/19 - at the facility located at 111 Oxmoor Road, Birmingham, AL, the employer did not report the in-patient hospitalization of an employee as a result of a chlorine exposure that occurred on or about 3/5/19.    b) On or about 4/9/19 - at the facility located at 111 Oxmoor Road, Birmingham, AL, the employer did not report the in-patient hospitalization of an employee  a result of a chemical exposure that occurred on or about 11/30/18.

Issued

May 16, 2019

Abate by

May 24, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1): Sufficient access and working space was not provided and maintained about all electric equipment (operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground) to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment:  a) On or about 4/9/19 - Wastewater treatment building, in the electrical room, a laboratory work table and two utility carts were placed in front of electrical cabinets containing disconnects.

Issued

May 16, 2019

Abate by

May 29, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  a) On or about 4/10/19 - Waste water treatment yard area, the 6,500 gallon tank containing magnesium was not labeled with the identity and hazard of the material contained within.

Issued

May 16, 2019

Abate by

Jun 12, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(iii): Employee training did not include the measures employees can take to protect themselves from chemical hazards, including specific procedures the employer had implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures and personal protective equipment to be used:  a) On or about 4/09/19 and at times prior - Water Treatment area, employee training for changing out chlorine cylinders did not include pre-emergency planning, emergency recognition, evacuation routes and procedures, as well as decontamination procedures.