OSHA Inspection: J. ARAKELIAN INC./UNIQUE PLATING COMPANY

Issued

Jul 17, 2023

Abate by

Aug 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $4,688 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.36(d)(1): Employee(s) were not able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge:  (a) Stringing Department:   On or about February 9, 2023 an exit door  in the northeast corner of the building that was marked as an exit was locked with a locking knob lock and a deadbolt style lock that were maintained locked so that the door could not be readily opened.  (b) Plating Department:   On or about February 9, 2023 an exit door on the west side of the building, adjacent to the acid copper bath, was corroded shut so that it could not be opened.  (c) Vibrating Department:   On or about February 9, 2023 an exit door on the west side of the building, adjacent to several large vibrators, was corroded shut so that it could not be opened.

Issued

Jul 17, 2023

Abate by

Aug 3, 2023

Penalty

Initial $4,688 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(1):The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE):  (a) Facility-wide:  On or about  February 9, 2023 the employer had not assessed the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in that employees using  corrosive and irritating chemicals including acetone and Enprep 222SE to clean parts were not required to use  adequate chemically resistant gloves and adequate eye and face protection.

Issued

Jul 17, 2023

Abate by

Aug 3, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.133(a)(1): Protective eye equipment was not required where there was a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented by such equipment:  (a) Plating Area:  On or about  February 9, 2023 the employer did not require that employees working with corrosive chemicals, including Enprep 222SE, when cleaning  parts utilize face shields and proper eye protection to protect their eyes.

Issued

Jul 17, 2023

Abate by

Jan 5, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,688 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.151(a): Medical personnel were not readily available for advice and consultation on matters of plant health:  (a) Plating Area:   On or about February 9, 2023 the employer did not ensure that emergency medical services, including those equipped with effective cyanide antidotes, were readily available in the event of an acute cyanide overexposure in the workplace.  The employer uses several cyanide based plating solutions including copper cyanide and sodium cyanide.

Issued

Jul 17, 2023

Abate by

Jan 5, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,349 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(c)(3): Vertical or inclined shafting seven feet or less from floor or working platform was not enclosed with stationary casing(s):   (a) Wastewater Pretreatment Slurry Tank adjacent to Tumbling Area:  On or about February 9, 2023, the inclined shafting on the spindle mixer used in the batching tank was not protected by stationary casing(s) enclosing shafting completely or by trough(s) enclosing sides and top or sides and bottom of shafting, exposing employees to the spinning shaft when adding materials to the tank.

Issued

Jul 17, 2023

Abate by

Aug 3, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven (7) feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:   (a) Tumbling Area adjacent to Boiler and Vibrating Area:  On or about February 9, 2023, the employer did not maintain proper guarding on the large horizontal tumbling machine where employees were exposed to nip points and rotating parts when the chain and rotating sprocket was left unguarded.

Issued

Jul 17, 2023

Abate by

Aug 3, 2023

Penalty

Initial $3,349 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(1)(ii):The required working space about electric equipment rated 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, was used for storage:  a) Office Area, Main Electrical Service: On or about February 9, 2023, the employer allowed the build-up of storage, such as but not limited to push-cart with cardboard boxes and a cardboard container within 3 feet of the main electrical service .  b) Plating Area: On or about February 9, 2023, the employer allowed the build-up of storage, such as but not limited to 5 gallon plastic buckets and plastic bins within 3 feet of an electrical panel in the Plating Area.

Issued

Jul 17, 2023

Abate by

Aug 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $4,688 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:  a) Anti-Tarnish Area:  On or about February 9, 2023, the employer did not effectively close all openings inside the circuit junction box that energizes the tumbler machine, exposing employees to electrical hazards.

Issued

Jul 17, 2023

Abate by

Aug 3, 2023

Penalty

Initial $4,688 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(b)(2)(i): Pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers approved for the purpose:  (a) Anti-Tarnish Area Tumbler:  On or about February 9, 2023, the employer did not provide a proper enclosure for an electrical contactor box in the Anti-Tarnish Vibrator while engaging the Start/Stop buttons, exposing employees to electrical shock and burn hazards.

Issued

Jul 17, 2023

Abate by

Aug 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $4,688 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(j)(2)(iv): A receptacle installed in a wet or damp location was not suitable for the location:  a) Eye Wash Station adjacent to the parts cleaning operation: The employer did not ensure that a receptacle was GFCI protected.  This outlet is used to power corded Sawzalls on a regular basis, exposing employees to electrical shock hazards.  b) Tumbler Area: The employer did not ensure that a receptacle was GFCI protected .  This outlet is used to power cord and plug appliances, such as tumblers, on a regular basis and to supply power to extension cords used to operate pumps, exposing employees to electrical shock hazards.

Issued

Jul 17, 2023

Abate by

Jan 5, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,349 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1):Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program, including the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):   (a) Workplace:   On or about February 9, 2023, the employer had not developed a written chemical hazard communication program, including the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii).

Issued

Jul 17, 2023

Abate by

Jan 5, 2024

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:   (a)Workplace:  On or about February 9, 2023, the employer had not trained new employees in the hazards of chemicals in their work place at the time of hire and job assignment.

Issued

Jul 17, 2023

Abate by

Oct 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $376 · Current $0 Reduced

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) Plating Area:  The employer did not identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace, such as nitric and sulfuric acid; including a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazards and identification of the contaminant's chemical state and physical form before discontinuing the maintenance of the area's ventilation systems.

Issued

Jul 17, 2023

Abate by

Jan 5, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:  a) Stringing Department: On or about February 9, 2023, the employer was utilizing multiple extensions cords to operate electrical devices in lieu of permanent wiring, such as but not limited to a refrigerator, a microwave oven, and a toaster oven, exposing employees to electrical hazards.  b) Wastewater Treatment Area: On or about February 9, 2023, the employer was utilizing multiple extensions cords to operate electrical devices in lieu of permanent wiring exposing employees to electrical hazards.  c)  Office Area: On or about February 9, 2023, the employer was utilizing multiple extensions cords to operate electrical devices in lieu of permanent wiring exposing employees to electrical hazards.