OSHA Inspection: ELEMENTAL SCIENTIFIC GLASSBLOWING

Issued

Jun 16, 2020

Abate by

Jun 26, 2020

Penalty

Initial $4,048 · Current $2,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify, through a written certification, that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed:    (a) Meinhard, 700 Corporate Circle, Ste L, Golden CO 80401: On or about March 10, 2020, and at times prior, the employer did not verify in writing that a workplace hazard assessment had been performed.  As a result employee use of personal protective equipment was not consistent in the workplace.    Abatement note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Jun 16, 2020

Abate by

Jul 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:    (a) Meinhard East and West Production Test Rooms, 700 Corporate Circle, Ste L, Golden CO 80401:  On or about March 10, 2020, and at times prior, employees were potentially exposed to health hazards (including but not limited to aggravation of existing medical conditions such as claustrophobia or asthma) due to use of 3M half-face elastomeric respirators and filtering-face piece N95 respirators.  The employer did not implement a written respiratory program or the elements required in paragraphs (e)-(h) of the standard.    Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Jun 16, 2020

Abate by

Jun 26, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): The employer did not select and require employee(s) to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands were exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasion; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes:  (a) Meinhard Production and Production Test Rooms, 700 Corporate Circle, Ste L, Golden CO 80401:  On or about March 10, 2020, and at times prior, employees were potentially exposed to dermal hazards while using 3% hydrofluoric acid.  Employees were not required to wear provided hand protection when using hydrofluoric acid.  Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Jun 16, 2020

Abate by

Jul 6, 2020

Penalty

Initial $4,048 · Current $2,100 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:    (a)  Meinhard Production Test Rooms, 700 Corporate Circle, Ste L, Golden CO 80401:  On or about March 10, 2020, and at times prior, the employer did not develop and implement a written hazard communication program in the workplace.  Employees use hazardous chemicals including but not limited to; toluene and hydrofluoric acid.  Toluene is flammable and can cause irritation to the eyes and nose; weakness and exhaustion, confusion, euphoria, dizziness, headache; dilated pupils; anxiety, muscle fatigue or insomnia; paresthesia; dermatitis; and liver or kidney damage.  Hydrofluoric acid can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, nose and throat; pulmonary edema; eye and skin burns; rhinitis; bronchitis; and bone changes.    Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Jun 16, 2020

Abate by

Jul 6, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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)  Meinhard Production Test Rooms, 700 Corporate Circle, Ste L, Golden CO 80401:  On or about March 10, 2020, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals was labeled with information regarding the hazards of the chemicals.  Employees use hazardous chemicals in unlabeled containers including but not limited to 3%hydrofluoric acid.  Hydrofluoric acid can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, nose and throat; pulmonary edema; eye and skin burns; rhinitis; bronchitis; and bone changes.  Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Jun 16, 2020

Abate by

Jul 6, 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) Meinhard Production Test Rooms, 700 Corporate Circle, Ste L, Golden CO 80401:  On or about March 10, 2020, and at times prior, the employer did not provide effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area.  Employees use hazardous chemicals including but not limited to; toluene and hydrofluoric acid.  Toluene is flammable and can cause irritation to the eyes and nose; weakness and exhaustion, confusion, euphoria, dizziness, headache; dilated pupils; anxiety, muscle fatigue or insomnia; paresthesia; dermatitis; and liver or kidney damage.  Hydrofluoric acid can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, nose and throat; pulmonary edema; eye and skin burns; rhinitis; bronchitis; and bone changes.  Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Jun 16, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.110(c)(5)(i)(f): Pipe or tubing did not conform to 1910.110(b)(8):  (a) Meinhard Production Room, 700 Corporate Circle, Ste L, Golden CO 80401:  On or about March 10, 2020, and at times prior, hoses used with a portable LPG container did not conform with 29 CFR 1910.110(b)(8)(ii), which states "Tubing shall be seamless and of copper, brass, steel, or aluminum alloy. Copper tubing shall be of type K or L or equivalent as covered in the Specification for Seamless Copper Water Tube, ANSI H23.1-1970 (ASTM B88-69), which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6. Aluminum alloy tubing shall be of Type A or B or equivalent as covered in Specification ASTM B210-68 (which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6) and shall be suitably marked every 18 inches indicating compliance with ASTM Specifications. The minimum nominal wall thickness of copper tubing and aluminum alloy tubing shall be as specified in Table H-24 and Table H-25."  PTFE hoses were used to supply LPG gas from a portable tank to fuel the flame on glass-shaping equipment in the production room.  Abatement note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Jun 16, 2020

Abate by

Aug 3, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.110(c)(5)(i)(g)(1): Hose were not designed for a working pressure of at least 250 p.s.i.g. Hose and hose connections did not have their correctness as to design, construction and performance determined by listing by a nationally recognized testing laboratory:  (a) Meinhard Production Room, 700 Corporate Circle, Ste L, Golden CO 80401:  On or about March 10, 2020, and at times prior, hoses and connectors did not consist of parts that had their design, construction, and performance determined by listing by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.  PTFE hoses were used to supply LPG gas from a portable tank to fuel the flame on glass-shaping equipment in the production room.  Hoses and connectors were not listed for use with LPG stored at pressures of at least 250 p.s.i.g.  Abatement note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Jun 16, 2020

Abate by

Jun 26, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(g)(2): Employees were permitted to consume food or beverage in area(s) exposed to toxic materials:  (a) Meinhard, 700 Corporate Circle, Ste L, Golden CO 80401: On or about March 10, 2020, and at times prior, employees consumed food and beverages in areas where hydrofluoric acid was used to clean glass parts. Hydrofluoric acid can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, nose and throat; pulmonary edema; eye and skin burns; rhinitis; bronchitis; and bone changes.  Abatement note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Jun 16, 2020

Abate by

Jul 20, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  (a) Meinhard, 700 Corporate Circle, Ste L, Golden CO 80401: On or about March 10, 2020, and at times prior, employees did not have access to suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body when using hydrofluoric acid which is a known injurious corrosive material.  First aid measures for eye or skin contact with hydrofluoric acid require continual rinsing for at least 10 minutes.  Employees are provided a quick drenching eyewash station which is not able to provide continual flow of water for 10 minutes.  Abatement note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).