OSHA Inspection: VALLEJO'S WELDING & INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE LLC.

Issued

Mar 30, 2023

Abate by

Apr 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $4,688 · Current $2,813 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(1):The employer shall evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces are permit-required confined spaces:  a) Baghouse, Hopper #6; On or about November 16th, 2022, and at times prior the employer exposed employees to hazards associated with permit required confined spaces in that the employer required employees to work within the hopper while atmospheric and mechanical hazards existed in the form of welding fumes and a running auger without first evaluating whether the spaces employees would be working in were permit required confined spaces.

Issued

Mar 30, 2023

Abate by

Apr 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(2):If the workplace contains permit spaces, the employer shall inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces:  a) Baghouse, Hopper #6; On or about November 16th, 2022, and at times prior the employer exposed employees to hazards associated with permit required confined spaces in that the employer did not inform exposed employees of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit space they were required to work in due to the presence of atmospheric and mechanical hazards in the form of welding fumes and a running auger.

Issued

Mar 30, 2023

Abate by

Apr 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(4):If the employer decides that its employees will enter permit spaces, the employer shall develop and implement a written permit space program that complies with this section. The written program shall be available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives:  a) Baghouse, Hopper #6; On or about November 16th, 2022, and at times prior the employer exposed employees to hazards associated with permit required confined spaces in that the employer did not implement a written permit space program which complies with 29 CFR 1910.146, as the space the employees were instructed to work in contained atmospheric and mechanical hazards in the form of welding fumes and a running auger.

Issued

Mar 30, 2023

Abate by

Apr 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(5)(ii)(C):Before an employee enters the space, the internal atmosphere shall be tested, with a calibrated direct-reading instrument, for oxygen content, for flammable gases and vapors, and for potential toxic air contaminants, in that order. Any employee who enters the space, or that employee's authorized representative, shall be provided an opportunity to observe the pre-entry testing required by this paragraph:  a) Baghouse, Hopper #6; On or about November 16th, 2022, and at times prior the employer exposed employees to hazards associated with permit required confined spaces in that the employer did not test the atmosphere of the confined space for atmospheric hazards before employees entered the space.

Issued

Mar 30, 2023

Abate by

Apr 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(d)(6):Provide at least one attendant outside the permit space into which entry is authorized for the duration of entry operations:  a) Baghouse, Hopper #6; On or about November 16th, 2022, and at times prior the employer exposed employees to hazards associated with permit required confined spaces in that the employer required employees to work within the hopper without ensuring an attendant was present outside of the permit space for the duration of their work inside the hopper.

Issued

Mar 30, 2023

Abate by

Apr 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(d)(9):Develop and implement procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services, for rescuing entrants from permit spaces, for providing necessary emergency services to rescued employees, and for preventing unauthorized personnel from attempting a rescue:  a) Baghouse, Hopper #6; On or about November 16th, 2022, and at times prior the employer exposed employees to hazards associated with permit required confined spaces in that the employer required employees to enter permit required confined spaces without first developing or implementing procedures for rescuing entrants from the permit spaces.

Issued

Mar 30, 2023

Abate by

Apr 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(e)(1):Before entry is authorized, the employer shall document the completion of measures required by paragraph (d)(3) of this section by preparing an entry permit:  a) Baghouse, Hopper #6; On or about November 16th, 2022, and at times prior the employer exposed employees to hazards associated with permit required confined spaces in that the employer required employees to work within the hopper while atmospheric and mechanical hazards existed in the form of welding fumes and a running auger without preparing entry permits for employees.

Issued

Mar 30, 2023

Abate by

Apr 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $4,688 · Current $2,813 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(1):Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks. Examples of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc:  a) Baghouse, Hopper #6; On or about November 16th, 2022, and at times prior the employer exposed employees to caught-in hazards in that employees were required to work around an auger without ensuring the auger had proper machine guarding.