OSHA Inspection: APS POWDER COATING

Issued

Nov 18, 2020

Abate by

Dec 8, 2020

Penalty

Initial $2,313 · Current $1,157 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1): When information indicated that any employee's exposure equaled or exceed the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program:  a) APS Powder Coat - A Blaster using a hand held blasting nozzle to blast metal was exposed to continuous noise at 99.1% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 89.9 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 365 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 115 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not develop and implement a representative monitoring program for those employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about August 11, 2020.   Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Nov 18, 2020

Abate by

Dec 8, 2020

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) APS Powder Coat - A Blaster using a hand held blasting nozzle to blast metal was exposed to continuous noise at 99.1% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 89.9 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 365 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 115 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not provide audiometric testing for an employee exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about August 11, 2020.   Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Nov 18, 2020

Abate by

Dec 31, 2020

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) APS Powder Coat - A Blaster using a hand held blasting nozzle to blast metal was exposed to continuous noise at 99.1% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 89.9 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 365 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 115 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not institute a training program for employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about August 11, 2020.   Abatement note: Employees shall be provided copies of 29 CFR 1910.95 standard and employer shall post a copy in the workplace.  Employees shall be informed of the following: 1. The effects of noise on hearing. 2. The purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care. 3. The purpose of audiometric testing and an explanation of the test procedures.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Nov 18, 2020

Abate by

Dec 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $3,470 · Current $1,735 Reduced

Hazardous substances 91309135T405

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) APS Powder Coating - On or about July 27, 2020, powder coating employees were required to wear a half-face elastomeric respirator to protect them from inhalation hazards of electrostatic powder coating dusts.  Employees were also required to wear an airline blasting helmet/hood during blasting operations.  The employer did not develop and implement a written respiratory protection as required.   Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Nov 18, 2020

Abate by

Dec 8, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 91309135T405

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) APS Powder Coating - On or about July 27, 2020, powder coating employees were required to wear a half-face elastomeric respirator to protect them from inhalation hazards of electrostatic powder coating dusts.  Employees were also required to wear an airline blasting helmet/hood during blasting operations.  The employer did not provide medical evaluations as required.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Nov 18, 2020

Abate by

Dec 8, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances T405

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit-tested prior to initial use of the respirator or annually refitted:   a) APS Powder Coating - On or about July 27, 2020, powder coating employees were required to wear a half-face elastomeric respirator to protect them from inhalation hazards of electrostatic powder coating dusts.  The employer did not provide a fit-test prior to initial use of the respirator.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Nov 18, 2020

Abate by

Dec 8, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 91309135T405

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:    a) APS Powder Coating - On or about July 27, 2020, powder coating employees utilizing elastomeric respirators were storing respirators out in the open inside the powder coat booth.  Respirators were not being stored in accordance with this paragraph as to minimize the contamination of the respirator.   Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Nov 18, 2020

Abate by

Dec 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 91309135T405

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k): The employer did not provide comprehensive, understandable, and effective annual training to employees who were required to use respirators.   a) APS Powder Coating - On or about July 27, 2020, powder coating employees were required to wear a half-face elastomeric respirator to protect them from inhalation hazards of electrostatic powder coating dusts.  Employees were also required to wear an airline blasting helmet/hood during blasting operations.  The employer did not provide effective training on the required training elements of this section.   Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Nov 18, 2020

Abate by

Dec 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $3,470 · Current $1,735 Reduced

Hazardous substances 11572460T405

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) APS Powder Coating - On or about July 27, 2020, employees utilize hazardous chemicals such as, solvents and coating powders, and 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.  ABATEMENT NOTE: A written program shall include descriptions of how the criteria for the following will be met: 1.  Labeling, pictograms, and other forms of warning; 2.  Safety Data Sheets; 3.  Employee information and training.    Additionally, a list of hazardous chemicals known to be present in the workplace must be compiled.  Methods used to inform employees of the hazards associated with non-routine tasks and the informing of contractors of workplace hazards, including a description of the labeling system used in the facility and of the availability of material safety data sheets, must also be addressed.  The written program must be made available upon request.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Nov 18, 2020

Abate by

Dec 8, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 11572262

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) APS Powder Coating - On or about July 27, 2020, employees were spraying Green Revite from a pump sprayer to clean metal parts.  The spray container was not labeled with the product identifier and information to indicate the hazards of the chemical, exposing employees to chemical hazards to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Nov 18, 2020

Abate by

Dec 31, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 11572460T405

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) APS Powder Coating - On or about July 27, 2020, employees were utilizing hazardous chemicals such as, solvents and coating powders, and the employer did not provide effective information and training on hazards of such chemicals as required.  ABATEMENT NOTE: Employees shall be informed of the following: 1. The requirements of this section; 2. Any operations where hazardous chemicals are present; 3. The location and availability of the written Hazard Communication Program, list(s) of hazardous chemicals and Safety Data Sheets.    Employee training shall include at least: 1. Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of hazardous chemical in the work area. 2. The physical, health, simple asphyxiation, combustible dust, and pyrophoric gas hazards, as well as hazards not otherwise classified, of the chemicals in the work area. 3. The measures employees can take to protect themselves such as specific procedures and personal, protective equipment to be used. 4. The details of the employer's Hazard Communication Program including an explanation of the labels received on shipped containers and the workplace labeling system used by the employer; Safety Data Sheets, including the order of information and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.