OSHA Inspection: INTERNATIONAL CUSHIONING COMPANY, LLC

Issued

Aug 5, 2022

Abate by

Oct 24, 2022

Penalty

Initial $11,167 · Current $5,584 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.22(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that all places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces are kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.  International Cushioning Company, LLC located at 2101 Cedar Street in Fremont, Ohio:   On or about February 22, 2022 the employer did not ensure elevated non-floor surfaces near and around the grinder were maintained in a clean and orderly condition. Polyethylene foam flakes and dust were allowed to accumulate on elevated equipment and wall surfaces such as the cyclone, hopper housing, and over head pipes in the recycling department exposing employees to fire hazards.

Issued

Aug 5, 2022

Abate by

Oct 24, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.22(a)(2): The employer did not ensure that the  floor of each workroom is maintained in a clean and, to the extent feasible, in a dry condition. The employer did not ensure that when wet processes are used, drainage is maintained and, to the extent feasible, dry standing places, such as false floors, platforms, and mats are provided.  International Cushioning Company, LLC located at 2101 Cedar Street in Fremont, Ohio:   On or about February 22, 2022 the employer did not ensure the floor near and around the grinder were maintained in a clean and orderly condition. Polyethylene foam flakes and dust were allowed to accumulate on the floor surrounding the recycling extruder line exposing employees to hazards associated with a fire as well as slip, trip, and fall hazards.

Issued

Aug 5, 2022

Abate by

Oct 24, 2022

Penalty

Initial $10,151 · Current $5,076 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(c)(1):The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:  International Cushioning Company, LLC located at 2101 Cedar Street in Fremont, Ohio:   Instance A   On or about May 10, 2022 the employer did not implement a hearing conservation program consisting of elements such as, but not limited to, monitoring, audiometric testing, hearing protection, and training when an employee's exposures to noise level exceeded the action limit of 85 decibels, or equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. An employee operating the recycling extruder line was exposed to noise during a 470 minute sampling period at an 8-hour TWA of 92.6 dBA.    Instance B  On or about May 10, 2022 the employer did not implement a hearing conservation program consisting of elements such as, but not limited to, monitoring, audiometric testing, hearing protection, and training when an employee's exposures to noise level exceeded the adjusted action limit, 84.21 dBA based on the extended work shift. An employee operating the foam line for an extended shift of twelve hours was exposed to noise during a 706 minute sampling period at an 12-hour TWA of 84.4 dBA.

Issued

Aug 5, 2022

Abate by

Apr 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $7,252 · Current $3,626 Reduced

Hazardous substances K105

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(d)(3)(i)(C):Information pertaining to the equipment in the process did not include the electrical classification:  International Cushioning Company, LLC located at 2101 Cedar Street in Fremont, Ohio:   On or about June 9, 2022, the employer did not ensure that process safety information, including electrical classification diagrams, were available for the production area where isobutane was used in the manufacturing of packaging products.  Failure to maintain all required process safety information can result in hazards associated with fires and explosions.

Issued

Aug 5, 2022

Abate by

Apr 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances K105

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(d)(3)(i)(D): Information pertaining to the equipment in the process did not include relief system design and design basis:  International Cushioning Company, LLC located at 2101 Cedar Street in Fremont, Ohio:   On or about June 9, 2022, the employer did not ensure that process safety information, including relief system information and design basis, were available for the piping system relief device leading to the production area where isobutane was used in the manufacturing of packaging products.  Failure to maintain all required process safety information can result in hazards associated with fires and explosions.

Issued

Aug 5, 2022

Abate by

Jan 24, 2023

Penalty

Initial $7,252 · Current $3,626 Reduced

Hazardous substances K105

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(e)(3)(i): The process hazard analysis did not address the hazards of the process:  International Cushioning Company, LLC located at 2101 Cedar Street in Fremont, Ohio:   On or about June 9, 2022, the employer did not ensure that the PHA conducted for the isobutane storage and piping system used in the production of packaging products reflected accurate process equipment, such as reference to a pentane storage tank and piping.  The PHA also did not evaluate for potential hazards of isobutane being released to atmosphere via the atmospheric relief valve or the ventilation discharge duct on the northwest side of the building.  Failure to conduct a thorough PHA can potentially lead to fire and explosion hazards.

Issued

Aug 5, 2022

Abate by

Apr 28, 2023

Penalty

Initial $7,252 · Current $3,626 Reduced

Hazardous substances K105

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(j)(2): The employer did not establish written procedures to maintain the on-going integrity of process equipment:  International Cushioning Company, LLC located at 2101 Cedar Street in Fremont, Ohio:   On or about June 9, 2022, the employer did not ensure that written mechanical integrity procedures, including information on who is qualified to perform inspection and testing, the frequency of inspection and testing to be performed, and procedures for performing inspection, testing and repair activities were documented and implemented to maintain the mechanical integrity of process equipment involved in the use of isobutane for the manufacturing of packaging products.  Failure to implement mechanical integrity procedures can result in releases of isobutane, potentially exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards.

Issued

Aug 5, 2022

Abate by

Jan 24, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances K105

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(j)(5): The employer did not correct deficiencies in equipment that were outside acceptable limits (defined by the process safety information on paragraph (d) of this section) in a safe and timely manner when necessary means where taken to assure safe operation:  International Cushioning Company, LLC located at 2101 Cedar Street in Fremont, Ohio:   On or about June 9, 2022, the employer did not ensure that an isobutane leak was identified and immediately corrected on the piping around the relief valve at the isobutane storage tank on the north exterior of the manufacturing building.  Failing to implement mechanical integrity procedures to control the release of isobutane can result in the potential exposure of employees to fire and explosion hazards.

Issued

Aug 5, 2022

Abate by

Jan 24, 2023

Penalty

Initial $7,252 · Current $3,626 Reduced

Hazardous substances K105

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(n): The employer did not implement an emergency plan for the entire plant in accordance with the provisions of 29 CFR 1910.38:  International Cushioning Company, LLC located at 2101 Cedar Street in Fremont, Ohio:   On or about June 9, 2022, the employer did not ensure the written emergency response plan contained all information required by 29 CFR 1910.38.  The written plan did not include specific details on the evacuation routes expected for employees to take on their way to the muster point, nor did it detail how supervisors are to ensure that all employees are accounted for.  Failure to develop and implement a complete emergency action plan in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.38 can potentially expose employees to fire and explosion hazards.