OSHA Inspection: VENTRIA BIOSCIENCE

Issued

Apr 9, 2021

Abate by

May 5, 2021

Penalty

Initial $8,192 · Current $4,506 Reduced

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:  Employees were exposed to health hazards.  Employees engaged in laboratory activities requiring the use of respirators were exposed to health hazards in that the employer had not established and implemented a written respiratory protection program. A written respiratory protection program should contain the following elements: Procedures for selecting respirators for use in the workplace; Medical evaluations of employees required to use respirators; Procedures for proper use of respirators in routine and reasonably foreseeable emergency situations; Procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and otherwise maintaining respirators; Procedures to ensure adequate air quality, quantity, and flow of breathing air for atmosphere-supplying respirators; Training of employees in the respiratory hazards to which they are potentially exposed during routine and emergency situations; Training of employees in the proper use of respirators, including putting on and removing them, any limitations on their use, and their maintenance; and Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program.

Issued

Apr 9, 2021

Abate by

May 5, 2021

Penalty

Initial $6,827 · Current $0 Reduced

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:  Employees were exposed to health hazards.  Employees engaged in laboratory activities requiring the use of respirators were exposed to health hazards in that 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.

Issued

Apr 9, 2021

Abate by

May 5, 2021

Penalty

Initial $9,557 · Current $0 Reduced

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):  Employees were exposed to health hazards.  Employees engaged in laboratory activities in the North and South laboratories were exposed to health hazards associated with chemicals used in the workplace in that the employer had not ensured that employees required to use a tight-fitting facepiece respirator passed the appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT) before the employee is required to use a respirator.  Chemicals that employees are exposed to include but are not limited to: Acetic acid, Ammonium Sulfate, Clorox, Hydrochloric Acid, and Phosphoric Acid and the biproducts.

Issued

Apr 9, 2021

Abate by

May 5, 2021

Penalty

Initial $8,192 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(k):The employer did not provide comprehensive, understandable training which did not occur annually and/or more often if necessary:  Employees were exposed to health hazards.  Employees engaged in laboratory activities requiring the use of respirators were exposed to health hazards in that the employer had not provided annual training on the maintenance, care, and storage of respirators.

Issued

Apr 9, 2021

Abate by

May 5, 2021

Penalty

Initial $9,557 · Current $5,256 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1450(e)(1):Where hazardous chemicals were used in the workplace, the employer did not develop and carry out the provisions of a written Chemical Hygiene Plan which was capable of protecting employees from health hazards associated with hazardous chemicals:  Employees were exposed to health hazards.  Employees engaged in laboratory activities in the North and South Laboratories were exposed to health hazards in that the employer had not developed and carried out the provisions of a written Chemical Hygiene Plan.  Hazardous Chemicals used at the workplace include but are not limited to Acetic acid, Ammonium Sulfate, Clorox, Hydrochloric Acid, and Phosphoric Acid.

Issued

Apr 9, 2021

Abate by

May 5, 2021

Penalty

Initial $8,192 · Current $4,506 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1450(f)(1):The employer did not provide laboratory employees with information and training to ensure that they were apprised of the hazards of chemicals present in their work area:  Employees were exposed to health hazards.  Employees engaged in laboratory activities in the North and South lab were exposed to health hazards in that the employer had not provided employees with effective information and training on the hazardous chemicals in their workplace.  Hazardous chemicals used at the workplace include but are not limited to Acetic acid, Ammonium Sulfate, Clorox, Hydrochloric Acid, and Phosphoric Acid.

Issued

Apr 9, 2021

Abate by

May 5, 2021

Penalty

Initial $9,557 · Current $5,256 Reduced

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:  Employees were exposed to health hazards.  Employees engaged in laboratory manufacturing activities in the North and South lab were exposed to health hazards in that the employer had not installed a quick drench shower within the work area for immediate emergency use. Chemicals requiring the presence of quick drench showers in the laboratory include but are not limited to Glacial Acetic Acid, Hydrochloric Acid, Phosphoric Acid.

Issued

Apr 9, 2021

Abate by

May 5, 2021

Penalty

Initial $1,366 · Current $751 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.40(a):The employer did not provide an authorized government representative the records within the four business hours.  Ventria Bioscience, 2718 Industrial Street, JUNCTION CITY, KS 66441 on or about 2/23/21, the employer failed to provide copies of the injury and illness records to an authorized representative within four hours. The OSHA 300 and 300A logs were provided on 2/27/21.