OSHA Inspection: VMC SPECIALTY ALLOYS LLC

Issued

Apr 8, 2022

Abate by

May 4, 2022

Penalty

Initial $13,052 · Current $7,831 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(a):Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:  a) Work In Progress (WIP) Yard Homogenization Oven Area: On or about October 9, 2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to thermal hazards, in that the employer did not ensure all employees who worked in close proximity to hot aluminum alloy billets (logs) were provided the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for their legs, including protective clothing to prevent  or minimize the effects of accidental contact with the billets when performing their duties. The  billets had an approximate average temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Issued

Apr 8, 2022

Abate by

May 25, 2022

Penalty

Initial $7,458 · Current $4,475 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not adequately developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:  a) Facility-wide: On or about 10/14/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical, struck-by and caught-in hazards in that, the employer did not adequately develop specific LOTO procedures for employees working on equipment such as, but not limited to, Saw #1, Saw #2, Lathe #10, Bandsaw.

Issued

Apr 8, 2022

Abate by

May 25, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(6)(i):The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed:  (a) Facility-wide: On or about 10/14/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical, struck-by and caught-in hazards in that, the employer did not conduct a review of the LOTO procedures for employees working on equipment such as, but not limited to, Saw #1 and Band Saw, on an annual basis.

Issued

Apr 8, 2022

Abate by

May 25, 2022

Penalty

Initial $7,458 · Current $4,475 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:  a) Work In Progress (WIP) Yard Homogenization Oven Area: On or about 10/14/2021, the employer exposed employees to chemical burns in that, no quick drenching facilities were available to employees working with chemicals with a very low  or very high pH such as, but not limited to, ammonia fluoroborate (pH= 0.0 - 3.5).

Issued

Apr 8, 2022

Abate by

May 25, 2022

Penalty

Initial $11,188 · Current $6,713 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l):   a) Work In Progress (WIP) Yard Homogenization Oven Area: On or about 10/09/2021 and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to struck-by hazards, in that inadequately trained employees were allowed to operate the company's powered industrial vehicles (PIV) including, but not limited to, Hyster Fork Truck (Model No. H400HD, S/N: C236E03510T, #25) when handling 19-inch diameter, 16-foot long aluminum billets weighing approximately 7,000 - 10,000 pounds each. The billets had an approximate average temperature of at least 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Issued

Apr 8, 2022

Abate by

May 25, 2022

Penalty

Initial $13,052 · Current $7,831 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(p)(1):Powered industrial truck(s) found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe had not been taken out of service until restored to safe operating condition(s)  a) Work In Progress (WIP) Yard Homogenization Oven Area: On or about 10/09/2021 and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to struck-by hazards, in that employees were allowed to operate the company's powered industrial truck when handling 19-inch diameter, 16-foot long aluminum billet weighing approximately 7,000 - 10,000 pounds and an average temperature of approximately 500 degrees Fahrenheit  each with defective hydraulics including, but not limited to, Hyster Sit -Down Diesel Fork Truck (Model No. H400HD, S/N: C236E03510T, #25).

Issued

Apr 8, 2022

Abate by

May 25, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Work In Progress (WIP) Yard Homogenization Oven Area: On or before 10/14/2021, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to chemical hazards in that, employees were not trained on the hazardous chemicals utilized in the workplace. Chemicals used at the site include, but are not limited to, ammonia fluoroborate (pH= 0.0 - 3.5 @ 68 degrees Fahrenheit), diesel fuel, and propane.