OSHA Inspection: APEX ALUMINUM DIE CASTING CO., INC.

Issued

Apr 13, 2021

Abate by

May 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $10,513 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(e)(2)(iv)(d):Flammable liquids shall be drawn from or transferred into vessels, containers, or portable tanks within a building only through a closed piping system, from safety cans, by means of a device drawing through the top, or from a container or portable tanks by gravity through an approved self-closing valve. Transferring by means of air pressure on the container or portable tanks shall be prohibited.  a) On or about February 4, 2021, the employees had used compressed air at approximately 24 P.S.I. to transfer odorless mineral spirits, a category 3 flammable liquid, into an in-house made liquid fuel torch which created a fire and explosion hazard from the mineral spirit liquid and vapors.

Issued

Apr 13, 2021

Abate by

May 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $10,513 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(e)(6)(i): "General." Adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors. Sources of ignition include but are not limited to open flames; lightning; smoking; cutting and welding; hot surfaces; frictional heat; static, electrical, and mechanical sparks; spontaneous ignition, including heat-producing chemical reactions; and radiant heat.   a) On or about February 4, 2021, the employees had used an in-house made liquid fuel blow torch which exposed them to the ignition of flammable vapors from odorless mineral spirits a category 3 flammable liquid which had been used the fuel source when employees set the mineral spirits coming out of the nozzle on fire.

Issued

Apr 13, 2021

Abate by

May 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.242(a): General requirements. Each employer shall be responsible for the safe condition of tools and equipment used by employees, including tools and equipment which may be furnished by employees.    a) On or about February 4, 2021, the employees had used an unsafe in-house made portable liquid fuel blow torch, which exposed employees to the ignition of flammable vapors and flammable liquids from odorless mineral spirits a category 3 flammable liquid which was the fuel source for the blow torch.

Issued

Apr 13, 2021

Abate by

May 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $10,513 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(1): The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall: (d)(1)(i)Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment.   a) On or about February 4, 2021, the employer did not select and use adequate PPE in that employees wore green gloves that did not provide adequate protection from the odorless mineral spirits (skin absorption hazard with central nervous system effects, skin burns and irritant, inhalation hazard, eye irritant) when hand cleaning parts and dies and using in a liquid fuel torch.

Issued

Apr 13, 2021

Abate by

May 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(2): The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.   a) On or about February 4, 2021, the employer had not provided a workplace hazard assessment that had  been performed through a written certification with the date, person certifying the evaluation, and which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.

Issued

Apr 13, 2021

Abate by

May 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.138(a): General requirements. Employers shall select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.   a) On or about February 4, 2021, the employer did not select and have adequate PPE in that employees wore green gloves that did not provide adequate protection from the odorless mineral spirits (skin absorption hazard with central nervous system effects, skin burns and irritant, inhalation hazard, eye irritant) when hand cleaning parts and dies and using in a liquid fuel torch.

Issued

Apr 13, 2021

Abate by

May 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $10,513 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(3): Training. Employee training shall include at least: (h)(3)(ii) 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; (h)(3)(iii) The measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards, including specific procedures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment to be used.   a) On or about February 4, 2021, the employer did not provide training that addressed the hazards of working with odorless mineral spirits (flammable, skin absorption hazard with central nervous system effects, skin burns and irritant, inhalation hazard, eye irritant) in a liquid fuel torch while covering the container opening with their hand and hand cleaning and lubricating dies and parts.

Issued

Apr 13, 2021

Abate by

May 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1)(i): A list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present using a product identifier that is referenced on the appropriate safety data sheet (the list may be compiled for the workplace as a whole or for individual work areas); and,   a) On or about February 4, 2021, the employer had not provided a list of hazardous chemicals present at the manufacturing facility. This included chemicals such as but not limited to mineral spirits (flammable, skin absorption and irritant, eye irritant, inhalation hazard), acetylene (flammable), and Diluco Die Lubricant (allergic skin reaction and eye irritant).

Issued

Apr 13, 2021

Abate by

May 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(f)(6): Workplace labeling. Except as provided in paragraphs (f)(7) and (f)(8) of this section, the employer shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with either: (f)(6)(i) The information specified under paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (v) of this section for labels on shipped containers; or, (f)(6)(ii) 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, will provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical.  a) On or about February 4, 2021 at the die machines, the employer had not labeled oil cans containing mineral spirits (flammable, skin absorption and irritant, eye irritant, inhalation hazard), which was used by two shift of employees on the dies and parts.