OSHA Inspection: COVERS UNLIMITED CORP.

Issued

Aug 18, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,398 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(d)(2): The employer did not perform initial monitoring to determine each employee's exposure to methylene chloride:    a) On February 26, 2020, Covers Unlimited Corp. did not perform initial monitoring to determine each employees exposure to methylene chloride. Employees used non-diluted K-Grip 203, which contained 70-90% methylene chloride, when spraying the adhesive onto furniture prior to reupholstering it.     No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.

Issued

Aug 18, 2020

Abate by

Sep 14, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,398 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment:    a) On February 26, 2020, Covers Unlimited Corp. did not assess the workplace to determine the need for personal protective equipment for employees reupholstering furniture. Employees used non-diluted K-Grip 203, which contained 70-90% methylene chloride, when spraying the adhesive onto furniture prior to reupholstering it. No personal protective equipment or protective clothing was provided or required to be used when using the spray adhesive.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Aug 18, 2020

Abate by

Sep 14, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(h)(1): Where needed to prevent methylene chloride induced skin or eye irritation, the employer did not provide clean protective clothing and equipment resistant to methylene chloride, at no cost to the employee, and/or did not ensure that each affected employee used it:  a) On February 26, 2020, Covers Unlimited Corp. did not provide any personal protective equipment for employees reupholstering furniture with K-Grip 203. Employees used non-diluted K-Grip 203, which contained 70-90% methylene chloride, when spraying the adhesive onto furniture prior to reupholstering it.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Aug 18, 2020

Abate by

Sep 14, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,398 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(k)(1)(iii): The employer did not include methylene chloride in the hazard communication program established to comply with hazard communication standard (HCS) (1910.1200) and did not ensure each employee was trained in accordance with the requirements of HCS and paragraph (l) of this section:      a) On February 26, 2020, Covers Unlimited Corp. did not include methylene chloride in its hazard communication program. Employees used non-diluted K-Grip 203, which contained 70-90% methylene chloride, when spraying the adhesive onto furniture prior to reupholstering it.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Aug 18, 2020

Abate by

Sep 14, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(l)(1): The employer did not provide information and training for each affected employee prior to or at the time of initial assignment to a job involving potential exposure to methylene chloride:   a) On February 26, 2020, Covers Unlimited Corp. did not provide information and training to employees, prior to or at the time of initial assignment, to a job involving potential exposure to methylene chloride. Employees used non-diluted K-Grip 203, which contained 70-90% methylene chloride, when spraying the adhesive onto furniture prior to reupholstering it.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Aug 18, 2020

Abate by

Sep 14, 2020

Penalty

Initial $5,398 · Current $2,500 Reduced

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):    a) On February 26, 2020, Covers Unlimited Corp. did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals was labeled, tagged or marked with the required information. Employees used a spray adhesive to upholster furniture from an unlabeled 32 oz. mason jar of non-diluted K-Grip 203, which contained 70-90% methylene chloride.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Aug 18, 2020

Abate by

Sep 14, 2020

Penalty

Initial $3,084 · Current $0 Reduced

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):    a) On February 26, 2020, Covers Unlimited Corp. did not develop or implement a written hazard communication program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1) that would describe or include at least the following:   1) Requirement for labeling and other forms of warning;  2) Safety data sheet (SDS) availability;  3) Employee information and training;  4) A list of hazardous chemicals known to be present in the workplace;   5) Methods to inform employees of the hazards on non-routine tasks; and   6) Methods to provide other employer(s) access to safety data sheet; information on any precautionary measures and the labeling system used in the workplace.    Employee(s) were exposed to chemicals including, but not limited to stoddard solvent, acetone, n-butyl acetate, ethanol, ethyl acetate and methyl alcohol, when working in the spray booth.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Aug 18, 2020

Abate by

Sep 14, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) On February 26, 2020, Covers Unlimited Corp. did not maintain safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical used at the site. Employees were exposed to chemicals including, but not limited to stoddard solvent, acetone, n-butyl acetate, ethanol, ethyl acetate and methyl alcohol, when working in the spray booth.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Aug 18, 2020

Abate by

Sep 14, 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 hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:    a) On February 26, 2020, Covers Unlimited Corp. did not provide employees working in the spray booth and refinishing area with training regarding the health hazards associated with hazardous chemicals in their work area. Employees were exposed to chemicals including, but not limited to stoddard solvent, benzene, acetone, n-butyl acetate, ethanol, ethyl acetate and methyl alcohol, when working in the spray booth.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Aug 18, 2020

Abate by

Sep 14, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(i): Respirator users were not provided with the information contained in Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134 when the employer determined that any voluntary respirator use was permissible:  a) On February 26, 2020, Covers Unlimited Corp. did not determine if the voluntary use of a respirator created a hazard for an employee that was allowed to use a 3M 6200 half face respirator when working in the spray booth.   b) On February 26, 2020, Covers Unlimited Corp. did not determine if the voluntary use of a respirator created a hazard for employees that were allowed to use N95 respirators when reupholstering furniture.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

Aug 18, 2020

Abate by

Sep 14, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  a) On February 26, 2020, Covers Unlimited Corp. did not did not establish and implement those elements of a written program necessary to ensure that an employee was allowed to voluntarily use a 3M 6200 half face respirator when working in the spray booth.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).