OSHA Inspection: ZINUS USA INC.

Issued

May 5, 2022

Abate by

Jun 1, 2022

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $9,426 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(a): Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers was not provided, used, and/or maintained.    a) On or about November 12, 2021, employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals such as isocyanates, including toluene diisocyanate and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, while working in the production area. The employer did not provide employees with proper personal protective equipment for extremities such as, but not limited to the arms.

Issued

May 5, 2022

Abate by

Jun 1, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(2):The employer did not verify, through a written certification, that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed:   a) On or about November 12, 2021, employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals such as isocyanates, including toluene diisocyanate and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, while working in the production area. The employer did not verify, through a written certification, that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed.

Issued

May 5, 2022

Abate by

Jun 1, 2022

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $9,426 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(d)(1)(i): Selection of appropriate respirators was not based on the respiratory hazard(s) to which the worker was exposed and user factors that affect respirator performance and reliability:  On or about November 12, 2021, employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals such as isocyanates, including toluene diisocyanate and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, while working in the production area. The employer did not select and provide an appropriate respirator based on the respiratory hazard(s) to which the worker is exposed and workplace and user factors that affect respirator performance and reliability.

Issued

May 5, 2022

Abate by

Jun 1, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(d)(1)(iii):The employer did not identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace; including a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazards and identification of the contaminant's chemical state and physical form:(a) (LOCATION) (IDENTIFY SPECIFIC OPERATION/CONDITION) (DESCRIBE HAZARD)  On or about November 12, 2021, employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals such as isocyanates, including toluene diisocyanate and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, while working in the production area. The employer did not perform air monitoring to evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace; including a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazards.

Issued

May 5, 2022

Abate by

Jun 1, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(h)(1): Respirators were not cleaned and disinfected using the procedures in Appendix B-2 of 29 CFR 1910.134 or equivalent procedures recommended by the respirator manufacturer:  employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals such as isocyanates, including toluene diisocyanate and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, while working in the production area. Respirators used by employees were not cleaned properly.

Issued

May 5, 2022

Abate by

Jun 1, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(h)(2)(i): Respirators were not stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals or  were not packed or stored to prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve:(a) (LOCATION) (IDENTIFY SPECIFIC OPERATION/CONDITION) (DESCRIBE HAZARD)   On or about November 12, 2021, employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals such as isocyanates, including toluene diisocyanate and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, while working in the production area. Respirators were not stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals.

Issued

May 5, 2022

Abate by

Jun 1, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A): Respirators with tight-fitting facepieces were worn by employees who had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interfered with valve function:   On or about November 12, 2021, employees working in the production area with hazardous chemicals such as isocyanates, including toluene diisocyanate and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, were required to use tight-fitting facepieces. Employees were wearing respirators with facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face.

Issued

May 5, 2022

Penalty

Initial $6,215 · Current $4,040 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.138(a):The employer did not select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees hands were exposed to hazardous condition(s).  At 830 Georgia 42 South, McDonough, GA 30252, on or about November 9, 2021, employees were exposed to thermal and frostbite hazards while changing propane tanks on powered industrial trucks, as the employer did not provide adequate personal protective equipment to protect the hands of the employees.

Issued

May 5, 2022

Abate by

Sep 6, 2022

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $9,426 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii): Procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(A), (c)(4)(ii)(B), (c)(4)(ii)(C) and (c)(4)(ii)(D):   a) At 830 Georgia 42 South, McDonough, GA 30252, on or about November 9, 2021, employees performing service and/or maintenance on the Laaderberg Tunnel equipment used to manufacture foam mattresses were exposed to  an amputation and a caught-in hazards, in that procedures developed did not clearly and specifically outline the steps to be followed to control the pneumatic pressure, thermal and mechanical energy sources.  a. The Laaderberg tunnel equipment with electrical 440V, pneumatic approximately 80 psi, and thermal above 37.6C (99F)  at the trough during initial liquid stage.

Issued

May 5, 2022

Abate by

Sep 6, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(B): The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy:   a) At 830 Georgia 42 South, McDonough, GA 30252, on or about November 9, 2021, employees performing service and/or maintenance on the Laaderberg Tunnel equipment used to manufacture foam mattresses were exposed to  an amputation and a caught-in hazards, in that procedures developed did not clearly and specifically outline the steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing the pneumatic pressure, thermal and mechanical energy sources.  a. The Laaderberg tunnel equipment with electrical 440V, pneumatic approximately 80 psi, and thermal above 37.6C (99F)  at the trough during initial liquid stage

Issued

May 5, 2022

Abate by

Sep 6, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(C): The energy control procedure did not clearly and specifically outline the steps for placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices or tagout devices and the responsibility for them.    a) At 830 Georgia 42 South, McDonough, GA 30252, on or about November 9, 2021, employees performing service and/or maintenance on the Laaderberg Tunnel equipment used to manufacture foam mattresses were exposed to  an amputation and a caught-in hazards, in that procedures developed did not clearly and specifically outline the steps for placement, removal and transfer of lockout and tagout devices for pneumatic pressure, thermal and mechanical energy sources.  a. The Laaderberg tunnel equipment with electrical 440V, pneumatic approximately 80 psi, and thermal above 37.6C (99F)  at the trough during initial liquid stage

Issued

May 5, 2022

Abate by

Sep 6, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(D): The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the requirements for testing a machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy control     a) At 830 Georgia 42 South, McDonough, GA 30252, on or about November 9, 2021, employees performing service and/or maintenance on the Laaderberg Tunnel equipment used to manufacture foam mattresses were exposed to  an amputation and a caught-in hazards, in that procedures developed did not outline the requirements for testing a machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy control for the pneumatic pressure, thermal and mechanical energy sources.  a. The Laaderberg tunnel equipment with electrical 440V, pneumatic approximately 80 psi, and thermal above 37.6C (99F)  at the trough during initial liquid stage.

Issued

May 5, 2022

Abate by

Jun 1, 2022

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $9,426 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide adequate training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program was understood by employees:  a) At 830 Georgia 42 South, McDonough, GA 30252, on or about November 9, 2021, employees were exposed to mechanical energy and hazards related to chemicals, including toluene diisocyanate and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, while performing service and maintenance work on the Laaderberg tunnel, conveyors, and rollers as the employer did not provide adequate lockout training to employees.

Issued

May 5, 2022

Abate by

Sep 26, 2022

Penalty

Initial $6,215 · Current $4,040 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.176(a):Permanent aisles or passageways were not appropriately marked:  a) At 830 Georgia 42 South, McDonough, GA 30252, on or about November, 9, 2021 in the warehouse where powered industrial trucks were used by employees, permanent aisles and passageways were not appropriately marked, exposing employees to a struck-by hazard.

Issued

May 5, 2022

Abate by

Jun 1, 2022

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $9,426 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(3)(ii): Employee training did not include the physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area:   Zinus USA Inc.: On or about November 12, 2021, employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals such as isocyanates, including toluene diisocyanate and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, while working in the production area. The employer did not include information about the health hazards associated with isocyanates as required by the standard.