OSHA Inspection: BROWN & MITCHELL LLC

Issued

Dec 3, 2019

Penalty

Initial $1,705 · Current $960 Reduced

Hazardous substances 92109211E200W103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces were not kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition:   a) Baker Model A saw inside shop area: On or about October 8, 2019 and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to fire and explosion hazard by failing to maintain a housekeeping program in that there was combustible saw dust accumulations and scrap wood accumulations on equipment and floor ranging from 1/32 of an inch to 1 foot in depth that had a Kst value of 5.97 bar meters per second, is a class II dust, and with a 9.4 percent moisture content.

Issued

Dec 3, 2019

Abate by

Dec 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $2,273 · Current $1,170 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

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:   a)  Inside and Outside Baker Saw Area:   On or about October 21, 2019 an employee was exposed to noise dose at levels of 87.8 % (equivalent to 89.02 dBA) which is 1.75 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85 dBA) while operating and feeding wood into the Baker Saw. Results were calculated for a 450 minute sampling period.  The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program.    b)  Inside and Outside Baker Saw Area:   On or about October 21, 2019 an employee was exposed to noise dose at levels of 71.3 % (equivalent to 87.56 dBA) which is 1.42 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85 dBA) while stacking wood from Baker Saw. Results were calculated for a 423 minute sampling period.  The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program.

Issued

Dec 3, 2019

Abate by

Dec 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:    a)  Inside and Outside Baker Saw Area:   On or about October 21, 2019 an employee was exposed to noise dose at levels of 87.8 % (equivalent to 89.02 dBA) which is 1.75 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85 dBA) while operating and feeding wood into the Baker Saw. Results were calculated for a 450 minute sampling period.  The employer did not establish an audiometric testing program.     b)  Inside and Outside Baker Saw Area:   On or about October 21, 2019 an employee was exposed to noise dose at levels of 71.3 % (equivalent to 87.56 dBA) which is 1.42 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85 dBA) while stacking wood from Baker Saw. Results were calculated for a 423 minute sampling period.  The employer did not establish an audiometric testing program.

Issued

Dec 3, 2019

Abate by

Dec 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95(k). The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:   a)  Inside and Outside Baker Saw Area:   On or about October 21, 2019 an employee was exposed to noise dose at levels of 87.8 % (equivalent to 89.02 dBA) which is 1.75 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85 dBA) while operating and feeding wood into the Baker Saw. Results were calculated for a 450 minute sampling period.  The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program.  The employer did not institute a training program for noise.    b)  Inside and Outside Baker Saw Area:   On or about October 21, 2019 an employee was exposed to noise dose at levels of 71.3 % (equivalent to 87.56 dBA) which is 1.42 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85 dBA) while stacking wood from Baker Saw. Results were calculated for a 423 minute sampling period.  The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program.  The employer did not institute a training program for noise.

Issued

Dec 3, 2019

Abate by

Dec 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $1,705 · Current $960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):  a)    Outside belt and pulley system for Baker Saw:  On or about October 8, 2019 and at times prior to, the employer exposed employees to hazards from partially unguarded belt and pulley on the Baker Saw dust collection system.

Issued

Dec 3, 2019

Abate by

Dec 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $2,273 · Current $960 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(20)(i): The employer did not ensure that the dust collection system design, construction, and maintenance to include the blower collecting, and exhaust systems were designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with American National Standards Z33.1-1961 (For the Installation of Blower and Exhaust Systems for Dust, Stock, and Vapor Removal or Conveying) and Z12.2-1962 (R1969) (Code for the Prevention of Dust Explosion in Woodworking and Wood Flour Manufacturing Plants), which are incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6.:      a)     Wood Dust Collection System:  On or about October 8, 2019 and at times prior to, the employer did not ensure that all ducts were tightly closed on the Baker Saw duct branch exposing employees to fire and combustible dust explosion hazards.      b)     Wood Dust Collection System:  On or about October 8, 2019 and at times prior to, the employer did not ensure that the exhausting fan was on the clean air side of the dust collection hopper/silo exposing employees to fire and combustible dust explosion hazards.     c)     Wood Dust Collection System:  On or about October 8, 2019 and at times prior to, the employer did not ensure that explosion relief vents were provided for the duct systems exposing employees to fire and combustible dust explosion hazards.

Issued

Dec 3, 2019

Abate by

Dec 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 92109211W103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(20)(v): Dust chambers. Exhaust pipes shall not discharge into an unconfined outside pile if uncontrolled fire or explosion hazards are created. They may empty into settling or dust chambers, designed to prevent the dust or refuse from entering any work area. Such chambers shall be constructed and operated to minimize the danger of fire or dust explosion.  a)     Wood Dust Collection System Saw Dust Pile:  On or about October 8, 2019 and at times prior to, the employer did not ensure that exhaust pipes discharged to dust chambers to minimize fire and dust explosion hazards.

Issued

Dec 3, 2019

Abate by

Dec 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 92109211E200W103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c): Equipment, wiring methods, and installations of equipment in hazardous (classified) locations were not intrinsically safe, approved for the hazardous (classified) location, or safe for the hazardous (classified) location:  a)        Plant 1:  Employees were exposed hazards from combustible Class II wood dust areas that have electrical equipment to include electrical panels, electrical outlets, conduit, junction boxes and overhead light fixtures in the immediate area that are not rated for Class II, Div. 1 locations.

Issued

Dec 3, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 92109211E200W103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:   a)    Back Bay Door Area : On or about October 8, 2019 and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical burns, shock and fire hazards from a 110 volt electrical box that was not effectively closed.

Issued

Dec 3, 2019

Abate by

Dec 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 92109211E200W103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): Each outlet box in completed installations did not have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy:    a)    Main Shop area: On or about October 8, 2019 and at times prior to, the employer exposed employees to electrical burns, shock hazards, and burn hazards from ignition source to combustible saw dust in that the (1st) 110 volt outlet located in between front bay doors did not have a cover on it.    b)    Main Shop area: On or about October 8, 2019 and at times prior to, the employer exposed employees to electrical burns, shock hazards, and burn hazards from ignition source to combustible saw dust in that the (2nd) 110 volt outlet located in between front bay doors did not have a cover on it.    c)    Main Shop area: On or about October 8, 2019 and at times prior to, the employer exposed employees to electrical burns, shock hazards, and burn hazards from ignition source to combustible saw dust in that the (3rd) 110 volt outlet located on the Baker Model A saw did not have a cover on it.    d)    Main Shop area: On or about October 8, 2019 and at times prior to, the employer exposed employees to electrical burns, shock hazards, and burn hazards from ignition source to combustible saw dust in that the 20 amp motor for the dust collection system located did not have a cover on it.

Issued

Dec 3, 2019

Abate by

Dec 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $1,705 · Current $960 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2150E200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):   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:

Issued

Dec 3, 2019

Abate by

Dec 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2150E200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i): The employer did not compile a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present using a product identifier that was referenced on the appropriate safety data sheet.  a)    Facility wide:  On or about October 8, 2019 and at times prior to, the employer exposed employees to chemical hazards in that employees were exposed to chemicals such as but not limited to propane, hard and soft wood while conducting work tasks such as cutting wood to manufacture pallets and the employer did not ensure a chemical inventory list was available at the workplace.

Issued

Dec 3, 2019

Abate by

Dec 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2150E200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8):   The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical, and did not ensure that they were readily accessible during each work  shift to employees when they were in their work area(s):   a)    Facility wide:  On or about October 8, 2019 and at times prior to, the employer exposed employees to chemical hazards in that employees were exposed to chemicals such as but not limited to propane, hard and soft wood while conducting work tasks such as cutting wood to manufacture pallets and the employer did not ensure Safety Data Sheets were available at the workplace.

Issued

Dec 3, 2019

Abate by

Dec 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2150E200

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 hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  a)    Facility wide:  On or about October 8, 2019 and at times prior to, the employer exposed employees to chemical hazards in that employees were exposed to chemicals such as but not limited to propane, hard and soft wood while conducting work tasks such as cutting wood to manufacture pallets without ensuring training by the employer on hazard communication program.

Issued

Dec 3, 2019

Abate by

Dec 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9210W102W103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(3): Training was not provided prior to requiring employees to use a respirator in the workplace:   a)      Star Pallet Manufacturing Shop:  On or about October 8, 2019 and at times prior to, employees were exposed to wood dust inhalation hazards from woodworking tasks and requires use of dust masks respirators while employees operate saws onsite without  providing training on  respirators to include appendix D.

Issued

Dec 3, 2019

Abate by

Dec 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(d)(2)(ii): Lavatories were not provided with hot and cold, or tepid running water:  a) Entire facility: On or about October 21, 2019 and at times prior to, the employer exposed employees to unsafe biological health hazard conditions in that the employer did not have any type of running water for employees to wash their hands.