OSHA Inspection: UNITED ROTORCRAFT, A DIVISION OF AIR METHODS CORPORATION

Issued

May 14, 2021

Abate by

Aug 31, 2023

Penalty

Initial $8,778 · Current $5,267 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1026(c): Employees were exposed to an airborne concentration of chromium (VI) which exceeded 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air, as an 8-hour time-weighted average:  a) On March 18, 2021, the employer exposed an employee who was spray finishing parts in a paint booth to chromium (VI) at an 8-hour Time Weighted Average of 17.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air (ug/M3), or approximately 3.44 times the Permissible Exposure Limit of 5 ug/M3 .  Sampling was conducted for a period of 201 minutes, and the calculation assumed zero exposure for the unsampled portion of the shift.

Issued

May 14, 2021

Abate by

Aug 31, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1026(f)(1)(i): Feasible engineering controls and work practices were not instituted to reduce and maintain employee exposures to chromium (VI) at or below the permissible exposure limit:  a) On March 18, 2021, the employer exposed an employee who was spray finishing parts in a paint booth to chromium (VI) at an 8-hour Time Weighted Average of 17.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air (ug/M3), or approximately 3.44 times the Permissible Exposure Limit.  The employer had not implemented feasible engineering controls and work practices in order to reduce employee exposures to levels below the PEL.  General methods of control applicable in these instances include, but are not limited to, the following: i) Substitution of a paint that does not contain Cr(VI); ii) Installation of a down draft style paint booth; iii) Increase capture velocity of the existing ventilation system by installing a higher CFM exhaust fan in the existing paint booth; iv) Implementation of engineering and work practice controls to ensure that employees position parts and spray finish operations so that they are always standing "upwind" of air flow inside the paint booth.  This could include the use of a rotational rack system so that parts can be rotated during spray finishing operations.    Note: a) The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested by OSHA. b) The methods noted are general and may not be effective in all cases. c) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an appropriate abatement method.    Abatement note:  Step 1:  By 6/10/21 An effective respiratory protection program shall be implemented.  Effective respiratory protection shall continue to be provided to and used by exposed employees as an interim protective measure until feasible engineering and/or administrative controls can be implemented or whenever such controls fail to reduce employee exposure to within permissible exposure limits.    Step 2:  By 7/19/21 A written detailed plan of abatement shall be submitted to the Area Director outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measures to control employee exposes to hazardous substances as referenced in this citation.    Step 3:  By 11/15/21 Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance.

Issued

May 14, 2021

Abate by

Jul 30, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0689

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) On March 18, 2021, and at prior times, the employer required employees who work in the paint booth to wear ? mask air purifying respirators.  The employer had not developed and implemented a written respiratory protection program that included the following provisions, as applicable::  i) Procedures for selecting respirators for use in the workplace; ii) Medical evaluations of employees required to use respirators; iii) Fit testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators; iv) Procedures for proper use of respirators in routine and reasonably foreseeable emergency situations; v) Procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and otherwise maintaining respirators; vi) Procedures to ensure adequate air quality, quantity, and flow of breathing air for atmosphere-supplying respirators; vii) Training of employees in the respiratory hazards to which they are potentially exposed during routine and emergency situations; viii) Training of employees in the proper use of respirators, including putting on and removing them, any limitations on their use, and their maintenance; ix) Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program.

Issued

May 14, 2021

Abate by

Jul 30, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 March 18, 2021, and at prior times, the employer required employees working in the paint booth to wear ? mask tight fitting air purifying respirators and had not provided medical evaluations to ensure they were medically able to use the respirator.

Issued

May 14, 2021

Penalty

Initial $8,778 · Current $5,267 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1026(d)(1): The employer with a workplace or work operation covered by this standard did not determine the 8-hour time-weighted average exposure for each employee exposed to chromium (VI):  a) On March 18, 2021, and at prior times, the employer exposed employees to chromium (VI) in spray finishing operations and in the alodine process.  The employer had not determined the 8- hour TWA exposure for each employee exposed to chromium (VI).

Issued

May 14, 2021

Abate by

Jul 30, 2021

Penalty

Initial $8,778 · Current $8,778

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1026(k)(1)(i)(A): The employer did not make medical surveillance available for all employees who were or could be occupationally exposed to chromium (VI) at or above the action level for 30 or more days a year:  a) On March 18, 2021, and at prior times, the employer did not make medical surveillance available to all employees who were or could be exposed to chromium (VI) at or above the action level for 30 or more days a year.  On March 18, 2021, an employee spray finishing parts in a paint booth was exposed to chromium (VI) at an 8-hour Time Weighted Average of 17.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air (ug/M3), or approximately 6.88 times the action level of 2.5 ug/M3.

Issued

May 14, 2021

Abate by

Jul 30, 2021

Penalty

Initial $8,778 · Current $8,778

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1026(l)(1)(ii): In classifying the hazards of chromium (VI), the employer did not  ensure that the following hazards were addressed: Cancer, eye irritation, and skin sensitization:  a) On March 18, 2021, and at prior times, the employer did not ensure that employees who are exposed to chromium (VI) were trained on the hazards of chromium (VI) including cancer, eye irritation, and skin sensitization.

Issued

May 14, 2021

Abate by

Jul 30, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1026(l)(1)(iii): The employer had not included chromium (VI) in the hazard communication program, and had not ensured that each employee had access to safety data sheets and was trained in accordance with the requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard and 29 CFR 1910.1026(l)(2):  a) On March 18, 2021, and at prior times, the employer had not ensured that employees who are exposed to chromium (VI): 1) had access to safety data sheets for chemicals that contain chromium (VI); and 2) could demonstrate a knowledge of the contents of this section (1910.1026) and of the purpose and description of the medical surveillance program required by paragraph (k) of this section.

Issued

May 14, 2021

Abate by

Jul 30, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1026(l)(2)(i):  The employer did not provide training and information to ensure that employees could demonstrate knowledge of 29 CFR 1910.1026 and the purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program:  a) On March 18, 2021, and at prior times, the employer did not provide employees who were exposed to chromium(VI) with training and information to  ensure that employees could demonstrate knowledge of 29 CFR 1910.1026 and the purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program.

Issued

May 14, 2021

Abate by

Jul 30, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0689

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) On March 18, 2021, and at prior times, employees worked with hazardous chemicals such as paints and coatings that contain Chromium (VI), a carcinogen, and methyl ethyl ketone, a flammable.  The employer had not developed and implemented a written hazard communication program that described how the requirements for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training would be met.