OSHA Inspection: UNIVERSAL METRICS, LLC

Issued

Jul 23, 2020

Abate by

Aug 11, 2020

Penalty

Initial $3,441 · Current $3,441

Hazardous substances 9135F104

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:  (a) On or about March 6, 2020, a welder(s) used elastomeric respirator voluntarily while performing welding work without a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator.  (b) On or about March 11, 2020, a welder(s) used elastomeric respirator voluntarily while performing welding work without a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator.

Issued

Jul 23, 2020

Abate by

Aug 11, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9135F104

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(1): The employer did not ensure that employee(s) required to use a tight-fitting facepiece respirator passed the appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT):  (a) On or about March 6, 2020, a welder(s) used 3M elastomeric half face respirator voluntarily while performing welding work without a fit test.  (b) On or about March 11, 2020, a welder(s) used 3M elastomeric respirator voluntarily while performing welding work without a fit test.

Issued

Jul 23, 2020

Abate by

Oct 26, 2020

Penalty

Initial $6,882 · Current $6,882

Hazardous substances 15209135F104

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(a)(2): Employee were exposed to an airborne concentration of Total Particulate dust containing Iron Oxide listed in Table Z-1 in excess of the 8 hour Time Weighted Average concentration of 15 mg per cubic meter of air for the Total Particulates and the 8 hour Time Weighted Average concentration of 10 mg per cubic meter of air for Total Iron Oxide.   (a)  On or about March 11, 2020, the welder in welding booth #1 next to the robotic welder was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated Total Particulate dust at an 8-hour time weighted average of 35.8 milligrams per cubic meter of air, approximately 2.39 times the limit of 15 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  **This limit is established to prevent upper respiratory tract irritation and pneumoconiosis.  The sample was collected during a 360 minute sampling period, and exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 120 minutes not sampled.  (b)  On or about March 11, 2020, the welder in welding booth #1 next to the robotic welder was exposed to Iron Oxide dust and fumes at an 8-hour time weighted average of 27.2 milligrams per cubic meter of air, approximately 2.72 times the limit of 10 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  **This limit is established to prevent upper respiratory tract irritation and siderosis.  The sample was collected on during a 360 minute sampling period, and exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 120 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Jul 23, 2020

Abate by

Oct 26, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 15209135F104

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(e): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not determined and implemented to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d):  (a)  On or about March 11, 2020, the welder in welding booth #1 next to the robotic welder was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated Total Particulate dust at an 8-hour time weighted average of 35.8 milligrams per cubic meter of air, approximately 2.39 times the limit of 15 milligrams per cubic meter of air.  The sample was collected during a 360 minute sampling period, and exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 120 minutes not sampled.  The existing control measures, including administrative and engineering controls, were not adequate to limit the exposure of employees to mercury to or below the PEL.  (b)  On or about March 11, 2020, the welder in welding booth #1 next to the robotic welder was exposed to Iron Oxide dust and fumes at an 8-hour time weighted average of 27.2 milligrams per cubic meter of air, approximately 2.72 times the limit of 10 milligrams per cubic meter of air.   The sample was collected on during a 360 minute sampling period, and exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 120 minutes not sampled.  The existing control measures, including administrative and engineering controls, were not adequate to limit the exposure of employees to mercury to or below the PEL.

Issued

Jul 23, 2020

Penalty

Initial $3,441 · Current $3,441

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 March 6, 2020, at the weld stations, employees used spray bottles containing anti-spatter or soap solution.  Spray bottles were not labeled with content identity, and pictograms or warnings of hazards.

Issued

Jul 23, 2020

Abate by

Aug 11, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1): Space about electric equipment. Sufficient access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.  (a) On or about March 11, 2020, access to a wall mounted electrical panel box for lighting and other equipment was blocked by long metal pieces on the floor and saw horses.  These materials also blocked easy access to on/off switches for ceiling mounted HVAC units.