OSHA Inspection: AMERICAN WIRE & CABLE COMPANY

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-09-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9282.00 · Current $9282.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:  a) On and before April 12, 2019, the emergency exit door in the Milling Department located on the North Wall was blocked by shelving.   b) On and before April 12, 2019, the emergency exit route between the Milling Department and Extruding Department was blocked by several flammable cabinets and materials on the Milling Department side, as well as boxes of coils and stock pile of Acetylene and Oxygen on the Extruding Department side. There were excessive amounts of materials obstructing the exit route.  c) On and before April 19, 2019, the exit route for the Braiding Department was obstructed by coils.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-09-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(d)(5)(i): Flammable liquids, including stock for sale, were stored in a location that limited the use of exits, stairways, or areas normally used for the safe egress of people:  a.) On or about April 19, 2019, the employer was storing and using approximately 220 gallons of flammable liquids including UN1263 Varnish in the exit routes in the Braiding Department. In the situation of a fire the flammable chemicals would prevent the safe evacuation of employees.  b.) On or about April 19, 2019, the employer was storing and using approximately 66 gallons of flammable liquids including Wire Marking Ink containing Toluene and Cyclohexane in the exit routes in the Braiding and Extruding Department.  In the situation of a fire, the flammable chemicals would prevent the safe evacuation of employees.   c.) On or about April 19, 2019, the employer was storing and using approximately 110 gallons of flammable liquids including UN2920 solution near the exit doors in the Extruding Department. In the situation of a fire, the flammable chemicals would prevent the safe evacuation of employees.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-09-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9282.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1): Portable fire extinguisher were blocked and not available for immediate use by employees:    a) On or about April 12, 2019, the employer had a portable fire extinguisher on the north central wall in the Milling Department blocked by material.    b) On or about April 12, 2019, the employer had a fire extinguisher that was missing and not available for immediate use by employees on the east outer wall of the lunch room in the Milling Department.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-10-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(2): The educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting was not provided to all employees upon initial employment, and at least annually thereafter:    On or about April 12, 2019, the employer did not provide initial and annual training for portable fire extinguishers when available for employee use.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-12-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6630.00 · Current $3315.00 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 1910.95(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 April 19, 2019, a Machine Operator in the Extruding Department was exposed to continuous noise levels at 67.2% of the permissible daily exposure (8-hour, time-weighted average sound level of 85 dbA or equivalently, a dose of 50 percent), during the 447 minute sampling period.   Exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 33 minutes not sampled.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-09-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9282.00 · Current $9282.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(2)(ii)(b)(2): The quantity of Category 2, 3 or 4 flammable liquid located outside of an inside storage room or storage cabinet in a building or in any one fire area of a building exceeded 120 gallons:    On or about April 19, 2019, the employer was storing and using approximately 220 gallons of flammable liquids including UN1263 Varnish outside of a storage room or cabinet in the Braiding Department. The employer was storing and using approximately 66 gallons of flammable liquids including Wire Marking Ink containing Toluene and Cyclohexane outside of a storage room or cabinet in the Braiding and Extruding Department. The employer was also storing and using approximately 110 gallons of flammable liquids including UN2920 solution outside of a storage room or cabinet in the Extruding Department.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-09-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9282.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(2)(iv)(d): Flammable liquids were not drawn from or transferred into vessels, containers, or portable tanks within a building only through a closed piping system, from safety cans, by means of a device drawing through the top, or from a container or portable tanks by gravity through an approved self-closing valve:    On or about April 19, 2019, the employer was storing and using approximately 220 gallons of flammable liquids including UN1263 Varnish in the exit routes in the Braiding Department. The employer did not have a self-closing valve on the 55 gallon drums containing the UN1263 used on the Braiding and Extrusion Lines. The self-closing valve would prevent an accidental spill from occurring.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-12-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9282.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(ii): Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), were dispensed into containers without the nozzle and container being electrically interconnected:    On or about April 19, 2019, flammable and combustible liquids including, but not limited to; waste drums containing (paint thinner and paint), UN1263 Varnish, and Wire Marking Ink (containing Toluene and Cyclohexane) were transferred without grounding and bonding.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-09-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7956.00 · Current $4774.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.124(f): Employees were not knowledgeable of the proper first-aid procedures appropriate to the dipping or coating hazards to which they were exposed:    On or about April 19, 2019, in the Plating Department, employees were not trained on the appropriate first aid procedures for the dipping and coating hazards present at their worksite. Those hazards include, but are not limited to; handling chemicals such as hydrochloric acid,  sulfuric acid, and sodium hydroxide.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-12-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.124(h)(3): Employees working with liquids that could burn, irritate, or otherwise harm their skin were not provided with appropriate first-aid supplies that were located near dipping or coating operations:    On or about April 19, 2019, the Plating Department did not have appropriate first aid supplies available for employees working with hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and sodium hydroxide liquids that could burn, irritate, or harm their skin.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-12-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7956.00 · Current $4774.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.124(g)(2): Employees who worked with liquids that could burn, irritate, or otherwise harm their skin were not provided with an emergency shower and eye-wash station close to the dipping and coating operation:    On or about April 19, 2019, the Plating Department did not have an emergency shower and eye-wash station for employees who work with hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and sodium hydroxide liquids that could burn, irritate, or harm their skin or eyes.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-12-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.124(g)(3): Employees who work with liquids that could burn, irritate, or otherwise harm their skin, were not provided with at least one basin with a hot-water faucet for every 10 employees who worked with such liquids:    On or about April 19, 2019, the Plating Department did not have a hot water basin available to employees who work with hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and sodium hydroxide liquids that could burn, irritate, or harm their skin or eyes.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-12-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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 April 19, 2019, the employer did not provide an eye wash station to employees who were exposed to battery acid (sulfuric acid) when adding distilled water to the forklift batteries.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-09-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7956.00 · Current $4774.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers was not provided, used, and/or maintained:     On or about April 19, 2019, the employer did not ensure that employees wore aprons when working with hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and sodium hydroxide in the plating department.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-10-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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 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 April 12, 2019, the workplace hazard assessment had not been put in writing and certified with the person conducting the evaluation and the dates the hazard assessment was completed.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-12-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1): The employer did not provide training to each employee required to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that covered when PPE is necessary, what PPE is necessary, how to don, doff, adjust and wear PPE, the limitations of PPE and the proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE:    On or about April 12, 2019, the employees required to wear PPE have not been trained on when PPE is necessary, what PPE is necessary; how to don, doff, adjust and wear PPE; the limitations of PPE;  and the proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE. Employees work with sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, MEK, acetone, metal working fluid, lubricants, and paints. Employees are to wear safety glasses, gloves, face shields and respirators when performing different job tasks.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-09-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation:  On or about April 12, 2019, the employer did not ensure that employees performing work on the drawing line, bunching line and extruding line were using safety glasses when exposed to wires breaking during machining.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-09-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): Appropriate hand protection was not used when employee's hands were exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes:         On or about April 19, 2019, the employer did not ensure employees used appropriate chemical resistant gloves for handling chemicals such as sulfuric acid when adding distilled water to the forklift batteries.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-12-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3978.00 · Current $1989.00 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 with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented:    On or about April 19, 2019, the plater was voluntarily wearing respiratory protection to include a Sperian Model#312000 half face tight fitting respirator supplied by the employer; however, the company had not implemented a written respiratory protection program.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-12-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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 19, 2019, the plater was voluntarily wearing respiratory protection to include a Sperian Model#312000 half face tight fitting respirator supplied by the employer. The employee has not received a medical evaluation.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-12-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1):  The employer did not provide effective training that covered the required elements in 1910.134(k)(1)(i) through 1910.134(k)(1)(vii):    On or about April 19, 2019, the plater was voluntarily wearing respiratory protection to include a Sperian Model #312000 half face tight fitting respirator provided by the employer. The employee had not received respiratory protection training in accordance with the standard.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-09-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9282.00 · Current $5569.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(4)(iii):  Oxygen cylinders in storage shall be separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour:    On or about April 12, 2019, the fuel gas (acetylene) and the oxygen gas bottles in storage next to the man door that connects the Milling Department and Extruding Department, were stored together and not separated as required.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-12-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5304.00 · Current $3182.00 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:    On or about April 12, 2019, the company did not implement and maintain a written hazard communication program at the site. Employees are working with hazardous chemicals such as, but not limited to, sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, MEK, acetone, metal working fluid, lubricants, paints, wire marking ink, UN1263 varnish, and UN2920.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-12-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6)(i): 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 information required by 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(1)(i) through 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(1)(v):    On or about April 12, 2019, the employer did not ensure that the tanks containing the sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, were labeled with the identity of the chemical. Unlabeled containers were located in the plating department. The employer also had several coffee cans containing MEK and acetone that were unlabeled on the extruding lines. The employer also had several Gatorade containers filled with paint throughout facility without labels.

Issued

2019-09-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-12-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(iv): Employees had not been provided with GHS 2012 training including an explanation of the labels received on shipped containers and the workplace labeling system to be used by their employer; the safety data sheet, including the order of information, and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information:    On or about April 12, 2019, the employer did not provide employees with training on the Global Harmonization System. Employees are working with sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, MEK, acetone, metal working fluid, lubricants, paints, wire marking ink, UN1263 varnish, and UN2920.