OSHA Inspection: WATSON METAL MASTERS

Issued

Jun 2, 2022

Abate by

Jul 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $7,252 · Current $7,252

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.23(c)(8): The employer did not ensure that the cap (if equipped) and top step of a stepladder that are not used as steps:  Employee in the small tank area of the facility was exposed to fall hazard.  Employee used the top step of a stepladder as a step.  The employee used the top step of a stepladder as a step to access a tank was exposed to a fall distance of 4 feet.

Issued

Jun 2, 2022

Abate by

Jul 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $7,252 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.23(c)(11): 29 CFR 1910.23(c)(11): The employer did not ensure that portable ladders used to gain access to an upper landing surface that have side rails that extend at least 3 feet (0.9 m) above the upper landing surface:  Employee in the small tank area of the facility was exposed to fall hazard.  The ladder the employee used to access the tank he was working in did not extend 3 feet above the surface of the tank he was entering.  The employee used a 4 foot stepladder to access a tank manway that was approximately 7 feet above the ground.

Issued

Jun 2, 2022

Abate by

Jul 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $10,151 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(1): The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces:   The employer is failing to protect employees from asphyxiation from an oxygen deficient space hazard.  This was most recently documented on December 22, 2021 when a welder in the small tank area of the facility entered a confined space that was not evaluated to determine if the space was a permit-required confined space. The employer failed to evaluate and identify the safety and health hazards inside the confined space before the employee was allowed to enter the tank.

Issued

Jun 2, 2022

Abate by

Jul 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $10,151 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(4):When the employer decided that its employees would enter permit spaces, the employer did not develop and implement a written permit space entry program that complied with 29 CFR 1910.146:  The employer is failing to protect employees from asphyxiation from an oxygen deficient space hazard.  This was most recently documented on December 22, 2021 when a welder in the small tank area of the facility entered a confined space when the employer's written permit space program did not comply with this section. An employee entered into the permit-required confined space of a 975 gallon tank without:  1) a supervisor completing an entry permit; 2) an attendant executing their duties; and 3) rescue and emergency services in place.

Issued

Jun 2, 2022

Abate by

Jul 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(d)(9): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not develop and implement procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services, for rescuing entrants from permit spaces to rescued employees, and for preventing unauthorized personnel from attempting a rescue:  The employer is failing to protect employees from  hazards created while working within confined spaces, including but not limited to an oxygen deficient space hazard, electrical hazards associated with power grinders, and noise and struck by hazards associated with grinding metal. This was most recently documented on December 22, 2021 when a welder in the small tank area of the facility entered a confined space without the employer providing procedures for summoning rescue services.  The employer did not ensure procedures were developed and put in place for rescue of employees from permit confined space.

Issued

Jun 2, 2022

Abate by

Jul 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(b)(4)(iv):Where the welder must enter a confined space through a manhole or other small opening, means was not provided for quickly removing the welder in case of emergency:  The employer is failing to protect employees from an oxygen deficient space hazard.  This was most recently documented on December 22, 2021 when a welder in the small tank area of the facility was in a confined space with no means provided for quickly removing the employee.  The employer did not provide means for quickly removing the Welder employee in case of emergency.

Issued

Jun 2, 2022

Abate by

Jul 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $14,502

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(6):When there were changes in the use or configuration of a non-permit confined space that could increase the hazards to entrants, the employer did not reevaluate that space and, when necessary, reclassify it as a permit-required confined space:  The employer is failing to protect employees from asphyxiation from an oxygen deficient space hazard. This was most recently documented on December 22, 2021. when a welder in the small tank area of the facility entered a confined space to weld. Welding within the space involved the use of inert gas (argon), an oxygen-displacing gas. The employer did not reevaluate the space for hazards  or reclassify the space as a permit-required confined space as conditions changed within the space.

Issued

Jun 2, 2022

Abate by

Jul 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(d)(5)(i): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not evaluate permit space conditions when entry operations were conducted by testing conditions in the permit space to determine if acceptable entry conditions exist:  The employer is failing to protect employees from an oxygen deficient space hazard. This was most recently documented on December 22, 2021 when a welder in the small tank area of the facility entered a confined space without the employer evaluating the space.  The employer did not evaluate the space to determine if it was safe to enter.

Issued

Jun 2, 2022

Abate by

Jul 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(d)(6): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not provide at least one attendant outside the permit space into which entry was authorized for the duration of entry operations:  The employer is failing to protect employees from asphyxiation from an oxygen deficient space hazard.  This was most recently documented on December 22, 2021 when a welder in the small tank area of the facility entered a confined space without the employer providing an attendant outside the space.  The employer did not ensure an attendant was outside the confined space the employee entered.

Issued

Jun 2, 2022

Abate by

Jul 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,151 · Current $10,151

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(e)(1): Before entry was authorized, the employer did not document the completion of measures required by 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3) by preparing an entry permit:  The employer is failing to protect employees from an oxygen deficient space hazard.  This was most recently documented on December 22, 2021 when a welder in the small tank area of the facility entered a confined space without the employer preparing an entry permit.  The employer did not prepare an entry permit prior to an employee entering a permit required confined space.

Issued

Jun 2, 2022

Abate by

Jul 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $10,151 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(g)(1): The employer did not provide training so that all employees whose work was regulated by 29 CFR 1910.146 (permit required confined spaces) acquired the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned under 29 CFR 1910.146:  The employer is failing to protect employees from asphyxiation from an oxygen deficient space hazard.  This was most recently documented on December 22, 2021 when a welder in the small tank area of the facility entered a confined space when he was not trained on the hazards of working in  permit required confined space.

Issued

Jun 2, 2022

Abate by

Jul 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,151 · Current $10,151

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(b)(4)(vi):Gas cylinder shutoff. In order to eliminate the possibility of gas escaping through leaks of improperly closed valves, when gas welding or cutting, the torch valves shall be closed and the fuel-gas and oxygen supply to the torch positively shut off at some point outside the confined area whenever the torch is not to be used for a substantial period of time, such as during lunch hour or overnight. Where practicable the torch and hose shall also be removed from the confined space:  The employer is failing to protect employees from asphyxiation in an oxygen deficient space hazard. This was most recently documented on December 22, 2021 when a welder in the small tank area of the facility was in a confined space and did not remove his torch and hose from the confined space when he left the space overnight.

Issued

Jun 2, 2022

Abate by

Jul 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(c)(2)(i):Mechanical ventilation was not provided when welding or cutting was done on metals not covered in 29 CFR 1910.252(c)(5) through 29 CFR 1910.252 (c)(12):  The employer is failing to protect employees from asphyxiation from an oxygen deficient space hazard.  This was most recently documented on December 22, 2021 when a welder in the small tank area of the facility was in a confined space where mechanical ventilation was not provided to the 975 gallon tank .

Issued

Jun 2, 2022

Abate by

Jul 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(c)(4)(i):All welding and cutting operations carried on in confined spaces were not adequately ventilated to prevent the accumulation of toxic materials or possible oxygen deficiency:  The employer is failing to protect employees from asphyxiation from an oxygen deficient space hazard. This was most recently documented on December 22, 2021 when a welder in the small tank area of the facility was in a confined space where mechanical ventilation was not provided to the 975 gallon tank.