OSHA Inspection: AUSTIN AIR SYSTEMS LTD.

Issued

Sep 10, 2021

Abate by

Oct 13, 2021

Penalty

Initial $4,096 · Current $3,072 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(2):The employer did not 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) Throughout facility - On or about 7/6/21, employees are required to wear PPE such as tyvek suits, safety goggles, and respiratory protection.  The employer did not have a written certification to verify that a PPE hazard assessment had been performed.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

Sep 10, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $4,096 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c): The employer did not develop and implement a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures and elements for required respirator use:  a)  Carbon Filling Room - On or about 7/6/2021, employees were required by the employer to wear half-mask air-purifying respirators while filling filters with carbon.  The employer did not develop and implement a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures and elements for required respirator use including selection, medical evaluation, fit-testing, training, and inspection.  b) Powder Coating Booth - On or about 7/6/2021, employees were required by the employer to wear half-mask air-purifying respirators while performing powder coating operations.  The employer did not develop and implement a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures and elements for required respirator use including selection, medical evaluation, fit-testing, training, and inspection.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

Sep 10, 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:  Note:  The employer may discontinue an employee's medical evaluations when the employee is no longer required to use a respirator.  a)  Carbon Filling Room - On or about 7/6/2021, employees were required by the employer to wear half-mask air-purifying respirators while filling filters with carbon.  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.  b) Powder Coating Booth - On or about 7/6/2021, employees were required by the employer to wear half-mask air-purifying respirators while performing powder coating operations.  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.  NO ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

Sep 10, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  a)  Carbon Filling Room - On or about 7/6/2021, employees were required by the employer to wear half-mask air-purifying respirators while filling filters with carbon.   Employee(s) were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator.  b) Powder Coating Booth - On or about 7/6/2021, employees were required by the employer to wear half-mask air-purifying respirators while performing powder coating operations.   Employee(s) were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator.  NO ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

Sep 10, 2021

Abate by

Oct 13, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(3): Training was not provided prior to requiring employees to use a respirator in the workplace:  a) Carbon Filling Room - On or about 7/6/2021, employees were required by the employer to wear half-mask air-purifying respirators while filling filters with carbon.   Training was not provided prior to requiring employees to use a respirator in the workplace.  b) Powder Coating Booth - On or about 7/6/2021, employees were required by the employer to wear half-mask air-purifying respirators while performing powder coating operations.  Training was not provided prior to requiring employees to use a respirator in the workplace.   Employer shall ensure each employee can demonstrate knowledge of at least the following:        Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator;        What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are;         How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions;         How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator;         What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator;         How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators; and the general requirements of this section.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

Sep 10, 2021

Abate by

Oct 13, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $4,096 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) Throughout Facility - On or about 7/6/2021 , the employer did not develop and implement a written hazard communication program for employee who work with materials such as, but not limited to Carbon Activated Corp Activated Carbon (containing 100% carbon), Prism Powder Coatings Black Sandtex  (containing 1,3,5-Triglycidyl isocyanurate ), and Prism Powder Coatings Sandstone II Vein (containing 1,3,5-Triglycidyl isocyanurate and silicon dioxide).  A written program should include descriptions of how the criteria for:  1)    Labeling and other forms of warning, 2)    Safety Data Sheets AND 3)    Employee information and training will be met.  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 must also be addressed.  The written program must be made available upon request.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

Sep 10, 2021

Abate by

Oct 13, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard was introduced into their work area.  a) Throughout Facility - On or about 7/6/2021, employees working with materials such as, but not limited to Commercial Grade Quikrete 5000 (containing 60-100% silica sand), and Waverly Inspirations Chalk Paint (containing ground limestone and titanium oxide) were not provided with information and training on the hazardous materials that they work with.  Employees shall be informed of the following:  1) The requirements of this section; 2) Any operations where hazardous chemicals are present; AND 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 a hazardous chemical in the      work area. 2) The physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area. 3) The measures employees can take to protect themselves such as specific procedures, appropriate work practices,     emergency procedures and personal protective equipment to be used. 4) The details of the employers Hazard Communication Program including an explanation of labeling systems, Safety      Data Sheets, and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

Sep 10, 2021

Abate by

Sep 27, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $4,096 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.242(b):Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.:   a) Powder Coating Booth - On or about 7/13/21, compressed air used to cleaning the powder coating booth and parts had a dead end pressure of > 65 psi.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED