OSHA Inspection: MCI WEST RECYCLING CENTER

Issued

Jun 16, 2022

Abate by

Jul 7, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(d)(5)(iii):  The storage of flammable or combustible liquids required and used for the maintenance and operation of building and operation of equipment was not kept in closed metal containers stored in a storage cabinet or in safety cans or in an inside storage room not having a door that opens into that portion of the building used by the public:  Recycling Center:  Employees conducted preventive maintenance of industrial paper shredding equipment and stored 58, 1 gallon containers of SEM Lube Oil, a flammable chemical, on open shelving within a shop within close proximity to electrical equipment with public access.  The employer had not provided closed metal containers or a designated storage room with closable doors to store chemicals.  Employees were exposed to fire hazards.

Issued

Jun 16, 2022

Abate by

Jul 14, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.141(a)(4)(ii):  Wastes were not collected and removed as often as necessary to maintain the place of employment in a sanitary condition:  Recycling Center:  Rodent and bird feces were observed on the conveyor systems, stairs, and flooring as well as dead animal carcasses located underneath cardboard boxes used to cover metal grate beside conveyors systems. The employer did not collect and remove wastes to maintain a sanitary workplace. Employees were exposed to rodent borne diseases such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome.

Issued

Jun 16, 2022

Abate by

Jul 7, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.141(a)(5):  A continuing and effective extermination program was not instituted where rodents, insects, or other vermin were detected:    Recycling Center:  Rodent and bird feces were observed on the conveyor systems, stairs, and flooring as well as dead animal carcasses located underneath cardboard boxes used to cover metal grate beside conveyors systems. The employer did not have an effective extermination program. Employees were exposed to rodent borne diseases such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome.

Issued

Jun 16, 2022

Abate by

Jun 29, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:    Recycling Center: Brass Deformation Operations: An employee conducted brass deformation operations on cartridge casings with unknown metals composition.  Self-contained eye wash stations had access blocked in locations where corrosives were used.  The employer had not ensured the water had been changed and biological growth had occurred.  Employees were exposed to eye hazards and eye infections from chemicals and organisms such as Acanthameoeba, Pseudomonas, and Legionella.

Issued

Jun 16, 2022

Abate by

Jun 29, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(f)(10): The employer did not ensure that workplace labels or other forms of warnings were prominently displayed on the container or readily available in the work area throughout each work shift:  Recycling Center:  Employees used unlabeled secondary containers to hold chemicals such as SEM Lube Oil used during the paper shredding process.  The employer did not ensure containers had prominently displayed labels showing chemical name, associated hazards, and warnings.  The employees were exposed to dermal burns.

Issued

Jun 16, 2022

Abate by

Jul 21, 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:  Recycling Center:  Administrative Buildings, Shower Area, and Conveyor Sorting/Separation:  Employees used hazardous chemicals such Krud Kutter Degreaser, So Sure Paints and Cleaners, and Tire Sealants during office, building, and equipment cleaning and equipment operations.  The employer had not provided effective training on the hazardous chemicals at the time of initial assignment.  Employees were exposed to dermal and eye hazards.

Issued

Jun 16, 2022

Abate by

Jul 21, 2022

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:  Recycling Center: Employees conducted multiple tasks such as brass deformation operations on cartridge casings with unknown metals composition, biowaste separation, recycling separation, animal feces removal, and confined space entry and were required to wear a 3M N95 respirator. The employer did not provide a medical to determine the employee's ability to wear designated respirators for assigned tasks. The employees were exposed to hazards that could exacerbate underlying medical conditions.

Issued

Jun 16, 2022

Abate by

Jul 7, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(e)(5)(i)(A):  Information was not provided to the physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP) concerning the type and weight of the respirator to be used by the employee before the PLHCP made a recommendation concerning an  employee's ability to use a respirator:   Recycling Center:  Employees conducted multiple tasks such as brass deformation operations on cartridge casings with unknown metals composition, biowaste separation, recycling separation, animal feces, and confined space entry.  The employer had not provided the physician or licensed healthcare professional the type and weight of the respirator, 3M N95 face filtering respirator, so PLHCP could make recommendations regarding the employee's ability to use the respirator prior to initial use. The employees were exposed to hazards that could exacerbate underlying medical conditions.

Issued

Jun 16, 2022

Abate by

Jul 21, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(f)(2):  Employee(s) using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator were not annually fit tested:  Recycling Center:  Employees conducted multiple tasks such as brass deformation, biowaste separation, recycling separation, animal feces removal, and confined space entry and were required to wear 3M N95 face filtering respirators. The employer did not provide initial and annual fit tests for respirators used. The employees were exposed to inhalation hazards.

Issued

Jun 16, 2022

Abate by

Jul 7, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(k)(1)(i):  The employer did not ensure that each employee could demonstrate knowledge of why the respirator was necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance could compromise the protective effect of the respirator:      Recycling Center: Brass Deformation Operations:  An employee conducted brass deformation operations and improperly wore the assigned 3M N95 face filtering respirator. The employer did not ensure each employee could demonstrate knowledge of donning and doffing the respirator. The employees were exposed to inhalation hazards.

Issued

Jun 16, 2022

Abate by

Jul 21, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(g)(6):  At least annually after obtaining the baseline audiogram, the employer did not obtain a new audiogram for each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels :  Recycling Center: Brass Deformation and Sorting Operations: Employees conducting brass deformation and conveyor sorting operations were enrolled in the hearing conservation program based on exposures at or above an 8-hour-time weighted average of 85 decibels. The employer did not obtain annual audiograms for each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels. The employee was exposed to elevated noise levels that can result in hearing loss.

Issued

Jun 16, 2022

Abate by

Jul 14, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact:     Recycling Center: Employees conducted multiple tasks such as biowaste separation, trash/recycling separation, dry sweeping, and removal of animal feces, removal of dead animal carcasses and wore personal protective equipment such as cloth coveralls and cloth head coverings. Employees took contaminated personal protective equipment home to be cleaned in either personal or public washing machines.  The employer had not ensured contaminated personal protective equipment was maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition without employees taking home for personal or public cleaning.

Issued

Jun 16, 2022

Abate by

Jul 7, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.133(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation:    Recycling Center:  Employees conducted multiple tasks such as biowaste separation, trash/recycling separation, dry sweeping, brass deformation, and removal of animal feces and were not wearing personal protection equipment such as safety glasses or safety goggles. The employer did not enforce the use of safety glasses or safety goggles during operations.  Employees were exposed to flying debris which can cause severe eye irritation, corneal abrasions, punctured retinas, or partial/ permanent blindness.

Issued

Jun 16, 2022

Abate by

Jul 21, 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:    Recycling Center: Brass Deformation Operations: An employee conducted brass deformation operations on cartridge casings with unknown metals composition.  During the past five years, the type and quantity of 'spent' casings has changed and the employer had not evaluated current employee exposures to identify contaminants chemical state and physical form to reasonably estimate the employee's exposure to respiratory hazards.  The employee was exposed to metal dusts and other inhalation hazards.

Issued

Jun 16, 2022

Abate by

Jul 7, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.138(a):The employer did not select and require employee(s) to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands were exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasion; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes:   Recycling Center:  Employees conducted multiple tasks such as biowaste, medical waste, and trash/recycling separation where large volumes of broken glass and exposed used syringes with intact needles were being manipulated by hand.  Employees wore an ANSI/ISEA 105 2016 blended cloth, kevlar, and nitrile glove that allowed glass and intact needles to penetrate the glove. The employer did not select and require the use of a heavy duty specific cut/puncture resistant glove. Employees were exposed to lacerations, abrasions, and skin punctures.

Issued

Jun 16, 2022

Abate by

Jul 7, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1025(h)(1):  All surfaces were not maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of lead:  Recycling Center:  Brass Deformation:  Employees conducted spent shell brass deformation operations where lead was identified on various equipment.  The employer did not maintain all surfaces as free as practicable of accumulation of lead.  Employees were exposed to reproductive and central nervous system hazards.

Issued

Jun 16, 2022

Abate by

Jul 21, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1030(h)(2)(i)(D): Employee training records for bloodborne pathogens did not include the names or job titles of all persons attending the training sessions:    Recycling Center:  Employees conducted multiple tasks such as medical waste and trash/recycling separation where large volumes of broken glass and exposed used syringes with intact needles were being manipulated by hand.  The employer bloodborne pathogen training rosters were missing employee names and job titles.  Employees were exposed to bloodborne pathogen hazards.