OSHA Inspection: AEROSPACE TESTING LABORATORY, INC.

Issued

Mar 10, 2020

Abate by

Apr 24, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,398 · Current $2,699 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.29(b)(2)(iv): The employer did not ensure that other equivalent intermediate members of guardrail systems (such as additional midrails and architectural panels) were installed so that the openings were not more than 19 inches (48 cm) wide.  DEGREASER AREA:  On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2019, the railing along the stairs leading to the degreaser platform had no midrail.  The distance from the top handrail to the steps was 30 inches.

Issued

Mar 10, 2020

Penalty

Initial $6,747 · Current $3,374 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.110(f)(2)(ii): Liquefied petroleum gas container(s) stored inside were located near exits, stairways, or in areas normally used or intended for the safe exit of people:  On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2019, a 33# propane cylinder used for powering forklifts was stored four feet from an emergency exit.

Issued

Mar 10, 2020

Abate by

Apr 24, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,398 · Current $2,699 Reduced

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:  COMPANY-WIDE:  On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2019, the employer had not conducted a complete hazard assessment to determine the appropriate personal protective equipment to be worn to protect employees from the physical and chemical hazards to which they were exposed.    A)  Employees regularly moved heavy parts that might weigh as much as 4,000 pounds and were not required to wear safety shoes.  B)  Employees in the NDT Department were exposed to a penetrant that is corrosive and toxic and were not required to wear gloves and safety goggles and/or a face shield.  C)  An employee who worked on the Degreaser and was exposed to trichloroethylene was not required to wear gloves and safety goggles and/or a face shield.

Issued

Mar 10, 2020

Abate by

Apr 24, 2020

Penalty

Initial $6,747 · Current $3,374 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(ii): The employer did not establish and implement those elements of a written program necessary to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily was medically able to use that respirator, and that the respirator was cleaned, stored, and maintained so that its use does not present a health hazard to the user:  COMPANY-WIDE:  On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2019, employees were allowed to use elastomeric half-face respirators on a voluntary basis while performing various activities including, but not limited to non-destructive testing and degreasing with trichloroethylene.  The employer had not developed and implemented a written respiratory protection program.

Issued

Mar 10, 2020

Abate by

Apr 24, 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:  COMPANY-WIDE:  On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2019, employees were allowed to wear tight-fitting elastomeric respirators on a voluntary basis.  The employees had not been provided with medical evaluation prior to wearing the respirators.

Issued

Mar 10, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(h)(2)(i): Respirators were not stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals or were not packed or stored to prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve:  NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING and DEGREASING DEPARTMENTS:  On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2019, employees stored their respirators on shelves, desks, or hanging by the straps from storage racks.  The respirators were exposed to chemicals and subject to damage.

Issued

Mar 10, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,398 · Current $2,699 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:  DEGREASING AREA:  On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2019, an ACCO surge protector power tap was used to energize a flexible cord which was, in turn, used to energize a Dayton light commercial fan.

Issued

Mar 10, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(ii): The required working space about electric equipment rated 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, was used for storage:  PRODUCTION AREA OUTSIDE THE UT COMPOSITE ROOM:  On or about December 12, 2019, old file cabinets were stored within 31 inches of the electrical panel labeled as "Distribution Panel 480/277V #8" and within 43 inches of the panel labeled "Lighting Panel (#9) 480/277V".

Issued

Mar 10, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv): Flexible cords and/ or cables were used for purposes prohibited by paragraphs (A) through (F) of 29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv):  PRODUCTION AREA:  On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2019, flexible cords were used in lieu of fixed wiring in the following locations:  1.  Near the Degreaser a flexible cord was used to energize a 20-inch Dayton Model 2LY89B Light Commercial Fan.  2.  In the Floor Contact Area, an orange flexible cord was used to power Olympus OmniScan inspection equipment used in conjunction with the Ultrasonic Tank.

Issued

Mar 10, 2020

Abate by

Apr 24, 2020

Penalty

Initial $4,048 · Current $2,024 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2490

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:  COMPANY-WIDE:  On or about and at times prior to December 12, 2019, the employer had not developed and implemented a written hazard communication program. Hazardous chemicals to which employees were exposed included, but were not limited to: nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, and trichloroethylene.